SMS, Steve Saleen's new tuning company, will be producing its own Signature Series versions of the Dodge Challenger. The release from SMS (after the jump) doesn't divulge much, but two versions will be available, the SMS 570TM and SMS 570XTM, based on the Challenger R/T. Both models will benefit from blowers heaving compressed air into the 5.7-liter HEMI V8, with the 570TM producing 500 hp and the 570XTM cracking the 700 hp barrier. Along with the supercharged bent-eight, the SMS-massaged Challengers will get upgraded drivetrain and suspension components, aerodynamic body parts, wheels, tires and interior bits. Mr. Saleen will sign the limited run of Challengers and naturally, interested parties are advised to act fast since SMS will be taking orders on a first-come, first-served basis.
UPDATE: Press release and artist impression added. Thanks Phil!
[Source: SMS via Allpar]
PRESS RELEASE
May 12, 2008 - Orange County, California. Steve Saleen and his new company SMS are pleased to introduce the first product in his line of Signature Series ultra-high performance vehicles, the SMS 570TM Challenger and SMS 570XTM Challenger.
As a professional racecar driver and innovative businessman, Mr. Saleen is well known as the founder of a number of Steve Saleen brands including Saleen Autosport, Saleen Productions, Saleen Speedlab, Saleen Performance, Saleen, Inc. and now SMS. In the years of building the many brands, Mr. Saleen oversaw and participated in every aspect of the business, in product development, sales and marketing. Mr. Saleen's latest endeavor will focus on the expansion into the high-end of the diverse American Muscle Car markets.
The fully certified and street legal SMS 570TM Challenger and SMS 570XTM Challenger will be based on the all-new and exciting 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T platform and will feature a SMS Supercharged 5.7L Hemi with respective power ratings from 500 to over 700 horsepower! Both models are fully equipped with a compliment of SMS ultra-high performance components including: drivetrain, suspension, aerodynamics, tires, wheels and interior.
"The horsepower and torque that we are developing from the SMS Supercharged Hemi is phenomenal" explains Billy Tally, SMS Chief Technical Officer, "combined with suspension and braking improvements our SMS Challenger will be an incredibly capable, refined and tractable vehicle".
Each of these limited edition vehicles will be personally signed by Steve Saleen as part of the SMS Signature Series product line complete with unique badges and graphics. Production numbers will be limited per year depending on the model and the opportunity to be one of the few owners is limited to a first-come, first-served basis, so prospective customers need to act now as production is commencing in the fourth quarter of 2008.
"The Dodge Challenger is a great canvas to start with" notes Phil Frank, Chief Creative Officer, "the SMS Challenger will help define our design DNA as we introduce some exciting and functional aesthetic innovations to this already great platform".
"I am drawing upon 25 years of rich experience in the automotive industry to address the rapidly expanding global market of automotive lifestyle vehicles, technical performance parts, accessories and apparel" explains Mr. Saleen "SMS is enabling us to do what could not be done at Saleen, Inc. due to the their heritage with the Ford dealer network and Ford vehicles. We are using this freedom, along with our new technology developed at SMS, to create world-class specialty vehicles."
SMS
SMS Limited is a niche manufacturer of lifestyle ultra-high performance vehicles, technical performance parts, lifestyle accessories and apparel. SMS designs, engineers, tests, certifies, manufactures and assembles all its own products and vehicles.
World Headquarters
The 150,000 square-foot facility in Southern California, is designed for collaboration, efficiency and security. The state-of-the-art-design, development, prototype, machining, testing and composites groups support manufacturing, production, the SMS race team and clients.
New KITT Attack Mode revealed at Comic Con
London 2008: Honda OSM concept roadster says, "Cheerio!"
London 2008: Lotus unveils the Evora
2010 Chevy Camaro - Official Details and Images
2010 Chevy Camaro - LIVE from the reveal
First Drive: Maserati Quattroporte S in Europe
First Drive: 2008 MINI Cooper S JCW
In the Autoblog Garage:2009 Nissan GT-R
North American Exclusive First Drive: Alfa MiTo
First Drive: 2009 Kia Borrego
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John Johnson @ May 12th 2008 5:35PM
Is it still going to weigh 9000 lbs?
Gregory Anderson @ Jul 15th 2008 1:39PM
Must be using the new math.
4agze @ May 12th 2008 5:35PM
with all this hype of this sports car will the world take this car as serious sports car or will it be just be another muscle car 0-06 mph?
rar @ May 12th 2008 5:38PM
It's more of a muscle car. The Saleen car will be sweet, but I wish Dodge would make a limited run on a Challenger like this one
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=120457
Level @ May 12th 2008 5:51PM
is everyone forgetting that this thing is based of M-Benz suspension parts and components??? so if you tuned it correctly it will do the twisties just as a e-class benz would...heck if you want to save weight swap out the iron parts for the M-Benz aluminum parts...and if u want to be more extreme swap them over amg parts...
James @ May 12th 2008 6:09PM
@ Level:
Are you certain the suspension bits will swap that easily? I'm also guessing it'll cost a whole lot over the car's already hefty $40k price tag.
Level @ May 12th 2008 6:37PM
James
does that answer your question??
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_LX_platform
yes it will be more expensive to replace such parts for AMG light weight aluminum but if people are going to cry about weight hey you do have a choice...Its all about compensating factors = you want to drive an egg on wheels or bitch about that it has too much weight on it due to so many safety concerns?
tom @ May 14th 2008 9:18AM
Level, what gives you the idea that the E class (or or any MB for that matter) is any good in the twisties?
Smeagle @ May 13th 2008 6:54AM
You beat me to it tom. MB is more about power and luxury than anything else. Have you driven a Mercedes Benz, Level?
phil @ May 12th 2008 6:03PM
CORRECTION ON THIS POST The SMS 570 is not from Saleen, Inc. it is from SMS, Steve Saleen's new company.
http://www.smslimitedusa.com/index.html
http://www.smslimitedusa.com/news_events.html
PRESS RELEASE
Purifoy @ May 12th 2008 6:04PM
*Whoa!* Now that's what I'm talking about. Just like the old saying goes, keep on working until your good is better, and you better is the best!
Kristina @ May 12th 2008 7:42PM
I agree with you here, of course, if you want to make it lighter you can definitely swap out with some aluminum, but if style is what you are after, this is a sweet looking ride. http://www.azautophile.com
mroverlord @ May 12th 2008 6:29PM
I don't think the whole car is MB. Mostly just the IRS and transmission.
TriShield @ May 12th 2008 7:02PM
Chrysler's LX structure is 100% US designed and engineered, there's no Mercedes-Benz in it.
Chrysler did copy some of the German suspension design, it does use a German CAN-BUS system for the wiring and the 5-speed automatic is a Mercedes-Benz unit, the rest is red, white and blue.
If you bother to read any reviews of this car you'd know it handles very well. We now live in a time where fullsized, heavy cars can handle nearly as well as lighter ones.
There is another tuner working on turning the new Challenger into a new HEMI 'Cuda for Plymouth fans and the parts will be available when the kit is complete.
I expect a tuner out there to come up with a Firebird kit for the new Camaro as well.
psarhjinian @ May 12th 2008 9:25PM
"If you bother to read any reviews of this car you'd know it handles very well. We now live in a time where fullsized, heavy cars can handle nearly as well as lighter ones"
This is true, but with the proviso that it's because there are very few really light, tossable cars around. The reason the Challenger handles like a lighter car is because the lighter cars in question are still heavy. There are a few (the Miata and RX, the Elise, certain exotics) but even the lighter of modern sportscars (GT-R-, ahem) are more deliberate than tossable.
Carlos @ May 12th 2008 8:05PM
Too bad it weighs as much as a baby elephant.
MajorGeek @ May 12th 2008 8:27PM
Way to chime in with something original. Same silly posts here every time, its a retro car based off a heavy old muscle car. Its not here for handling, nor going drifting. Those of us who loved the old Challengers and Cudas also loved the designs are in line.
Were HARDLY the first to buy a car based on looks first, otherwise there would be NO need for aftermarket parts nor Saleen, Hennessy and Shelby to name just a few.
Carlos @ May 12th 2008 8:31PM
That still doesn't change the fact that it's a fat pig! Cars like this won't last, why do you think they didn't last the last fuel crisis?
This car is going to be another flash in the pan for Chrysler before they yank it because it's not profitable and its not selling like they want it to.
Unless they do something drastic, like putting a four cylinder engine in it to increase it's average fuel mileage it will be gone by 2015.
Frank @ May 13th 2008 9:53AM
Yes, Carlos, it will be gone before 2015 because of CAFE regs. BUT NOT BECAUSE OF UNPROFITABLITLY.
I have been making this point repeatedly. Chrysler will make money on everyone they sell. Why? Because they will only make what sells. The Challenger is made in the same plant that makes the 300 and Charger. They do not need to make thousands and thousands to efficiently utilise the plant. If the public wants 30,000 they will make 30k. If they want 100,000 they will make them. The factory in Canada is a flex facility. They can mix and match the cars coming down the line to suit demand. If the Challenger takes off they can change the line to build as many as they want. If it doesn't they will build just a few and turn out more Chargers and 300's. The business case for this car was to make a profit with 35,000 cars. So do the math - the 1st year (really 1/2 2008 and 2009), they will sell way over 50,000. 2nd year - less but still substantial say a little less than 50k. 3rd year 35k plus. Then they will call it good and cease production. All the while they will make money on each one and get tons of free publicity. GM is in a different spot. If they don't sell 100,000 Camaros a year they are in trouble. So after the first year I expect rebates and 0% financing spiffs to kick in and reduce the profit or cause a loss on each unit sold.
Justin @ May 12th 2008 8:11PM
Damn if the new camaro wasn't coming out, I'd have a black R/T on the way. Only I'd have to put the wheels from the blue SE model pic on it, they're just the right size for the tire.
And for those of you complaining about the weight, you do realize that its supposed to have a little more interior room than say a mustang, right?