Saleen announced a new model called the S281 RF this past Friday at its retail store in Southern California. The RF, which stands for Red Flag, focuses on overall value and is priced between Saleen's 3-valve and supercharged models with an MSRP of $49,995. Performance upgrades include Saleen's Series VI supercharger that helps the V8 put out 465 horsepower, and the suspension has been upgraded to Saleen-spec, as well. Visual differences include Saleen's front and rear fascia, side skirts, 20-inch chrome wheels, and RF graphics and badging. Inside are reupholstered leather seats with red stitching, S281 floor mats and door sills, and a 200 mph gauge cluster. Production is limited to 100, and only two colors will be available: black and alloy. Follow the jump to view the S281 RF's complete list of features.
[Source: Saleen via MustangEvolution.com]
ENGINE
281 CID (4.6L) 3-Valve SOHC V8
465 HP @ 5800 RPM
425 lb-ft TQ @ 4000 RPM
3.55" x 3.54" Bore & Stroke
39 lb/hr Fuel Injectors
98 mm MAF
Port Matched Series VI Integrated Twin-Screw Supercharger
Dual-Stage Water-to-Air Intercooler System
Hi-Flow Inlet Tube, Air Box Cover & Filter
PowerFlash™ Performance Calibration
2.5" Stainless Steel Center Exhaust System
DRIVETRAIN
5-Speed Manual Transmission
with 8.8" Differential, 3.31:1 Final Drive
RACECRAFT SUSPENSION
Linear-Rate, Coil Springs (F/R)
Sway Bars, 1.38" with HD Bushings (F), 0.79" (R)
Front Struts (N2), Rear Shocks (N2)
Three-Link, Live Rear Axle with Panhard Rod
INTERIOR
Leather Performance Driving Seats with Red Stitching,
6-Way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat & Power Lumbar
6-Gauge Instrument Cluster with 200 MPH Speedometer
& MyColor Feature
Chrome Dash Vent Bezels
Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel with Badge
Leather Shift Boot with Red Stitching
Leather-Wrapped Billet Shift Knob & Short-Throw Shifter
Performance Driving Pedals with Driver Foot Brace
Serialized Dash Plaque
S281 Floor Mats & Aluminum Door Sill Plates
Saleen Key Fob
One-Touch Up/Down Power Windows
AM/FM/CD Sound System
Two Power Outlets
Variable-Speed Windshield Wipers
Air Conditioning
Rear Window Defroster
Dual Power Side-View Mirrors
Saleen/Eagle One Detail Kit
Owner's Document Portfolio & Warranty Guide
BRAKING SYSTEM
Power Assisted 4-Wheel Disc Brakes with ABS
12.4" Vented Front Disc Brake System
11.8" Vented Rear Disc Brake
WHEELS & TIRES
20" Chrome Finished Alloy, 7-Spoke Wheels
High Performance Dunlop Tires
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
EXTERIOR
Injection Molded Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO)
Front & Rear Fascias
Injection Molded TPO Side Skirts & Door Cladding
Front Grille
Integrated Front Turn Signals
Rear Center Body Panel
Rear Spoiler & End Caps
S281 Supercharged Graphics & Identification
RF Red Saleen Windshield Graphic
RF Red Saleen Bumper Insert
RF Red Serialized Front Bumper
Serialized Engine Bay Plaque
Championship Wreath Graphic
SAFETY & SECURITY
Dual-Stage Airbags
Driver's Seat Position Sensor
Crash Severity Sensor
Lower Anchors & Tethers for Children (Latch) Safety Seats
Remote Keyless & Illuminated Entry System
3-Point Safety Belts for All Seating Positions
Side-Impact Door Beams
COLOR COMBINATIONS
Exterior Color/Graphic Color/Wheel Color
Black Clearcoat/Red/Chrome
Alloy Clearcoat Metallic/Red/Chrome
GENERAL DIMENSIONS & CAPACITIES (COUPE)
Vehicle Weight: 3620 lbs
Weight Distribution: 53/47 (F/R)
Wheelbase: 107.10 in
Track: 62.8 in/63.9 in (F/R)
Width: 74.0 in
Length: 189.1 in
Height: 56.0 in
Trunk Space: 13.1 cu ft
Fuel Capacity: 15.7 gal
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Chris Riley @ Oct 25th 2007 3:36PM
Lol I love how when we discuss Mustangs, we talk straight horse.
I wonder how fast this would do the 'ring in.
Russell @ Oct 25th 2007 3:53PM
My guess 10 minutes if that, but what do you expect from platform of the 70s
Joe @ Oct 25th 2007 4:53PM
Wow, that's pretty ignorant.
If you knew anything about the facts, you'd know that the previous generation Mustang was based on the Fox platform, which was used until the end of the 2004 MY.
The 2005 Mustang is based on the (then) new D2C platform, which was loosely based on the DEW98 platform (which itself debuted in 2000) used for the Lincoln LS, T-bird, and Jaguar S-type.
Get your facts straight before you make yourself look like an ass.
Russell @ Oct 25th 2007 5:09PM
OK OK I might not know the details, but live-axle c'mon thats pretty old.
MKIV @ Oct 25th 2007 6:48PM
This'll go straight nicely but trow in a turn or two and some braking and your world will get a whole lot interesting.
P B @ Oct 25th 2007 10:26PM
...And the Corvette uses leaf springs, but seems to do just fine.
Joe @ Oct 26th 2007 8:41AM
The live axle might be old, but lest you forget, in the current Mustang's first racing experience, SCCA, I think, Mustangs finished 1-2-3. The live axle is NOT as bad as everyone makes it out to be, and with a little attention, such as lowering springs and a good sway bar setup, these things can turn very well.
But, remember what the Mustang became a legend for...going fast, straight, and for cheap. Yeah, a M3 can go fast straight, AND turn, but for almost triple the price. An Elise can do that, for a similar price point, but you give up a lot of creature comforts. That's where the Mustang shines...it's cheap to buy, hustles down the track, is decent around the curves, looks damn good, and is an American icon. When the Challenger and Camaro come out, there's a damn good chance that Mustang will continue to leave the Chevy and Dodge products in their wake.
Menice @ Oct 25th 2007 3:39PM
such a sweet looking car.
just so tired of the versions... and when is someone going to do a dash board conversion?
Erik @ Oct 25th 2007 3:49PM
I KNEW IT.......
we couldn't go two days without hearing about another GODDAMN Mustang.
Now I'm just waiting on another article on the GT-R.
MTU 5.0 @ Oct 25th 2007 3:49PM
Granted there are a ton of different versions of the S197 Mustang, but Saleen is one of the best IMO.
Scott @ Oct 25th 2007 3:51PM
How is this better than the Shelby GT500? it has 500hp, 6 speed manual instead of 5, looks better, and starts at $43975 (inc guzzler and destination).
Scott @ Oct 26th 2007 12:25AM
The GT500 weighs so much more that the 500hp actually feels slower than the S281's 465. Plus the car handles like donkey $@*% because of the huge engine up front. The Saleen is well balanced with much better suspension. Plus, believe it or not, you'll get more head turns from any Saleen than a GT500.
That One Person @ Oct 25th 2007 5:20PM
If I am not mistaken, C/D or one of the mags tested a 450hp S281 and it posted better numbers than the GT500. The 5.4L in the GT500 really cheats this car from it's true performance. Instead of lugging around an iron block truck engine, this thing gets to keep the aluminum block 4.6L....which I believe weighs significantly less.
Philometalist @ Oct 25th 2007 5:53PM
Actually, I think Richard Hammond from Top Gear did an episode where he put the 500 on a dyno and it turned out to only have around 460hp, only reason I remember is cuz he then proceeded to cross out the 500 with a sharpie and wrote the actual hp right next to it lol.
Ohh the lies we are told....
Chet @ Oct 25th 2007 6:42PM
@Philometalist: You sir are a moron. 460 AT THE WHEELS would be over 500 crank hp. Oh, the lies YOU believe...
Go dyno almost any car and you aren't going to get anywhere near the same amount as advertised.
Philometalist @ Oct 25th 2007 7:01PM
@Chet
You sir obviously had a bad day because there was no element in the comment I posted that would warrant such an outburst on your part, it was simply a recall of a show that I had seen in the past and was INTENDED to add information to the postings not to discredit or denounce anyone or to show neither my inferior knowledge on the topic nor my authority on it. Therefore the response to my comment on your part was irrelevant and you obviously have some person issues that need sorting. Therefore I suggest you begin that long and argues process ASAP and let the rest of us emotionally stable individuals comment on and discuss topics free from your overbearingly and unnecessary inner anger.
Chet @ Oct 25th 2007 7:06PM
LOL @ you writing a paragraph of PURE EMOTION over a single sentence.
Philometalist @ Oct 25th 2007 7:26PM
I can only show you the door Chet, you're the one who has to walk through it.
That One Person @ Oct 26th 2007 5:51AM
Philo...if I were you, I wouldn't believe everything Top Gear says. Those guys have proved themselves, many times, to be wrong.
As for the dyno test, that IS hp at the rear wheels. If the GT500 weren't producing 500hp, Ford would have another 1999 Cobra on it's hands.
Joe @ Oct 30th 2007 7:25PM
Assuming, of course, that the GT500 engine puts out EXACTLY 500 hp, at the crank, and Top Gear dyno'd it at 460 hp at the rear wheels, that's 8% drive-line loss, which probably isn't really possible. Drive-line loss on the GT500 is probably more like 13-15%, even with the 6-speed manual, which puts crank hp somewhere between 530-550 hp.
All calculations assume 460 hp at rear wheels...
Assuming 500 at crank...
40/500 = 0.08 = 8% drive-line loss
Assuming 530 at crank...
70/530 = 0.132 = 13.2% drive-line loss
Assuming 540 at crank...
80/540 = 0.148 = 14.8% drive-line loss
Assuming 550 at crank...
90/550 = 0.163 = 16.3% drive-line loss
Top Gear should think a bit more before they speak, and Autoblog commentators should do more research before they post a comment.