2008 Saleen S302 Extreme with 600+ HP arrives late summer

Click above for small high-res gallery of Barricade
Saleen is still celebrating its high-profile involvement with the summer blockbuster Transformers movie, the highlight of which for us was seeing the Decepticon Barricade, a Saleen S281 Extreme, throw down with Bumblebee, a Chevy Camaro Concept. As cool as the S281 Extreme is, its all spark will be snuffed out soon to make way for a new model from Saleen bearing the code name S302 Extreme. The S302 Extreme is so named for its 302 cubic-inch motor with which we originally made our acquaintance in the Saleen Parnelli Jones Limited Edition Mustang. In the S302 Extreme, however, the PJ mill gains a supercharger, which Saleen claims will increase horsepower to well over 600. It doesn't appear Saleen's most powerful Mustang will transform in any other ways for the 2008 model year, so while it may look exactly like the S281 Extreme it's replacing, in this case, there really is more to the 2008 S302 Extreme than meets the eye.
We'll get you more details as they come, but for now, you can check out the Barricade gallery below and read the whole press release after the jump.
[Source: Saleen]
PRESS RELEASE:
Saleen Extreme Stars as "Decepticon" Police car in "Transformers"
~2008 Extreme Makes its World Debut with More Than 600 Horses and One Bad Attitude~
IRVINE, CALIF. – The cars are the stars in DreamWorks' new hit movie "Transformers," and the Saleen S281 Extreme is receiving rave reviews as everyone's favorite bad guy. Appearing in various scenes, the Extreme – disguised as a deceptive police car code-named "Barricade" –pursues lead character Sam Witwicky, played by Shia Labeouf, and ultimately battles his "Autobot" protector, a 1976 Chevrolet Camaro named "Bumblebee."
Saleen delivered multiple S281 Extremes to the "Transformers" set for filming, but none were equipped with the new Saleen supercharged 302 cubic-inch engine of the soon to be released 2008 model. Debuting in late-summer 2007, the new Extreme is expected to set a new benchmark for performance vehicles in its class. Designed by the same engineering team as the Saleen S7, the new Extreme will be the first vehicle to deliver true super car performance in a production sports car.
"Fans of the movie can see the Extreme police car on display at The Saleen Store in Irvine, California," said Mike Simmons, chief marketing and sales officer of Saleen Inc. "What's even more exciting is they can actually purchase the production model from their local Saleen certified dealership, without the police badging and vicious alter-ego, of course. The 2008 Extreme is a limited production vehicle of only 200 units and a waiting list is already starting. However, we have two more attainable S281 models that have the same body style as the "Barricade" car. They might not destroy 'Autobots' as easily, but they are plenty fast and fun to drive."
About the 2008 Saleen S302 Extreme
As the headliner of Saleen's "S" model line, the 2008 S302 Extreme will boast a redesigned and supercharged version of the company's highly acclaimed and potent 302 engine introduced in 2007. Although official specifications are still under wraps, the new powerplant will produce well in excess of 600 horsepower.
This new Extreme model will replace the current 550 horsepower model. The S281/S302 model line also includes the 335 horsepower S281 3-Valve, as well as the 465 horsepower S281 Supercharged. All three S281/S302 vehicles share like styling cues, but each maintains its own personality, driving dynamics and performance elements.
Exact specifications and performance ratings for the new 2008 S302 Extreme will be released at the time of the launch in late summer 2007. As true with all Saleen vehicles, the 2008 Extreme will be fully certified to meet federal safety and emissions standards.
Individuals can go to www.saleen.com/transformers.htm to find more information regarding Saleen's involvement in "Transformers" and learn about the Saleen Extreme and other Saleen models.
Saleen Vehicles in Major Films and Television
"Bruce Almighty" Saleen S7 2003
"Hollywood Homicide" Saleen S281 SC 2003
"2 Fast 2 Furious" Saleen S281 SC 2003
"The Bachelor" Saleen S7 and S281 SC 2007
"Red Line" Saleen S7 Twin Turbo 2007
"Transformers" Saleen S281 Extreme 2007
"Entourage" Saleen S7 Twin Turbo 2007
ABOUT SALEEN
Since the company's inception in 1984, Saleen has produced over 12,000 complete and EPA-certified vehicles, more than any other specialty automobile manufacturer. In addition, Saleen has equipped more than 600,000 vehicles worldwide, further emphasizing their capabilities and commitment to excellence.
A nine-time Manufacturers' Champion in GT sports car racing, Saleen manufactures the American supercar - the Saleen S7, as well as the S281 Mustang, S331 Sport Truck and the Saleen/Parnelli Jones Limited Edition Mustang. Saleen also supports OEM partner niche vehicle initiatives including projects such as the Ford GT, Supercharged Harley-Davidson Edition F-150 and the Dodge Viper program. Saleen's manufacturing facilities are located in Irvine, California and Troy, Michigan.







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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Colin Smith 3:38PM (7/25/2007)
How sensible!
Reply
felipe 3:40PM (7/25/2007)
hope it comes with a vw horn meep beep!
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Justin 3:52PM (7/25/2007)
Very cool, I hope the blower has plenty of whine like ;)
Does anyone know if this 302 ci motor is a pushrod like the ford crate motor or if its derived from the modular v8s?
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Chris 4:05PM (7/25/2007)
Its a stroked version of the 4.6 Modular.
tomford 10:20AM (7/26/2007)
It's the 4.6L modular motor stroked to 5.0L{302}
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OC Rider 9:38PM (7/25/2007)
The deal-breaker is the price. The S281 Extreme would pull $70K out of your ass. Offer it for $52K and it would be a winner.
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frank 11:46AM (7/26/2007)
Not it's not your dorks. This is a new technology and by the way it is a pushrod motor, it is not a bored/stroked 4.6 L. Retards
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frank.filipponio 11:55AM (7/26/2007)
Nope, the Saleen S302 engine is based on the 4.6-L ohc mod motor like the one in the PJ. The newish Ford crate motor that is known as the Boss 302 is a pushrod.
That One Person 4:26PM (7/26/2007)
Frank...you shouldn't be calling us "retards".
If you read the article, then you would know this engine is OHC. Duh!
Tyler 3:56AM (8/03/2007)
I swear on my life that I saw this exact car where i live, Eureka, Missouri(which is about 20 miles outside of St. Louis,or where Six Flags STL is at).same paint and everything so I was hoping that it is the S302 but not really sure.anyone know if it could have been?
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RB 2:29PM (8/07/2007)
You DID see that car by Six Flags St. Louis last week, and I was driving it. It was part of the Great American Run cross country road rally and I stopped by there for gas and lunch along the route.