Filed under: Sports/GTs, Saleen
Saleen to introduce budget-priced vehicles under Racecraft brand
Saleen has launched a barrage of new products since company founder Steve Saleen left the company last summer including the S302 Extreme, H302SC, Dan Gurney Signature Series Mustang, Sterling Edition Mustang, and the S5S Raptor Concept. While these new Saleen vehicles are pushing the level of performance upwards, it seems that the price has ballooned, as well. We'd love to have a Sterling Edition Mustang in the garage, but realistically, how many people can afford a $90,000 Mustang? While Saleen may have increased desirability with its new models, the obtainability went down as a result.
Saleen may have the answer. In a recent letter to its dealers, Saleen announced that it would be introducing "a new brand of performance products...at a more competitive price point." Like Toyota/Lexus, Nissan/Infiniti, and Honda Acura, Saleen will be able to have both a value and a high-end brand. Using the RaceCraft name, which has previously been the name of suspension components, the first vehicle in the lineup will be the 420S Mustang featuring a supercharged V8 with 420 horsepower, an array of suspension upgrades, 18-inch wheels and tires, aluminum instrument panel, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 420S graphics and more. All for $38,995. Considering a fully loaded Mustang GT can easily exceed $30,000, the 420S actually seems like a pretty good deal. Also in the works is a RaceCraft Ford Focus with a target price of $20,000. Hopefully they'll keep the nitrous out of the car this time and won't get fined by the California Air Resources Board.
A list of features for the RaceCraft 420S Mustang can be found after the jump.
[Source: The Chrome Pony]
RaceCraft 420S Mustang features:
· Racecraft 4.6L SOHC Supercharged V-8
· Horsepower: 420 @ 5800 RPM
· Torque: 400 ft.-lbs. @ 4000 RPM
· 39 lb. fuel injectors
· 98 mm mass airflow sensor
· hi-flow inlet tube and air box cover
· Performance air filter
· Racecraft specific rate front and rear coil springs
· Racecraft front struts (N2)
· Racecraft rear shocks (N2)
· Racecraft front sway bar and pivot bushings
· Bridgestone Potenza All-Season Performance Radial Tires
· 18"x9" Front and 18"x10" Rear Aluminum Alloy 'Torque Blade' wheels
· Racecraft exterior badging
· Racecraft logo side rocker graphics
· Racecraft '420S' performance vinyl hood graphics
· Racecraft rear decklid graphics
· Racecraft 180 MPH silver faced speedometer with MyColor feature
· Satin aluminum instrument panel upgrade
· Racecraft steering wheel badge
· Leather-wrapped steering wheel
· Leather wrapped billet aluminum shift knob
· Leather shift boot
· Performance cloth seats with Racecraft embroidered headrest
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
mtk 10:39AM (6/27/2008)
1. I'd never pay 38k for a mustang let alone 90.
2. Another Mustang?
3. Enough already.
4. Found On the Road Dead.
5. Ford should bring the stuff from Europe over here.
6. Who will buy this, gas is $4 a gallon you know.
you get the idea...
Add to the list.
Reply
dkw 10:46AM (6/27/2008)
Hold on a minute....
(1) This isn't a new version of the Mustang that Ford is releasing, it's a story about Saleen, and their business direction.
(2) Yea, we get it, gas is expensive... and guess what, some people still like to have a unique version of a vehicle that performs well and uses more gas then a subcompact does.
(3) "Enough already" is right.... try to come up with something that we haven't heard 100 times.
Stuka 10:48AM (6/27/2008)
Would you pay 38k for the Challenger, or the Camaro? This is no different. Only with an SC it makes it very easy to get power out of it. Just a change of pully's and bam, an extra 50hp. All for less than the SRT Challanger, and in a car that is lighter and handles better.
geo.stewart 10:49AM (6/27/2008)
why do you want 5 and 6 if you believe 4?
just because a car/platform is so popular as to spawn such a level of personalization and involvement from after market companies like NO other, doesnt mean you should bash it for all the versions out there.
jealous because the rice rockets dont inspire such loyalty, such involvement from the after market crowd?
mike 10:55AM (6/27/2008)
Hey guys, I guess I should have added what I was commenting on was all of the usual comments you get when a Mustang related entry is posted. It was all tongue in cheek, a joke, an ill-fated attempt at comedy. I was hoping we could come up with some other typical comments. Apparently it is working...
mike 10:40AM (6/27/2008)
1. I'd never pay 38k for a mustang let alone 90.
2. Another Mustang?
3. Enough already.
4. Found On the Road Dead.
5. Ford should bring the stuff from Europe over here.
6. Who will buy this, gas is $4 a gallon you know.
you get the idea...
Add to the list.
Reply
Andrew 10:44AM (6/27/2008)
I think it's great. Not only can't I afford a $90K Mustang, I wouldn't buy a Mustang if I did have that kind of money. Not exotic enough. However, I can see paying a few thousand for a Racecraft version. That's as dolled up as any Mustang needs to be.
Only problem is that the name Racecraft makes me think of boats for some reason.
Reply
MKULTRABLIZZARD 11:34AM (6/27/2008)
'Only problem is that the name Racecraft makes me think of boats for some reason.'
me too.
Will 1:04PM (6/27/2008)
What they really need is a ChrisCraft Mustang with wood paneling, red and green foglamps and some cleats on the rear deck for mooring lines.
imoore 10:50AM (6/27/2008)
If they build a RaceCraft Version of the Fusion, then I'll consider buying one.
Reply
John Johnson 10:51AM (6/27/2008)
Direct competition for SRT8, I like it. Sounds to be like this could be a relatively cheap 12 second car.
Reply
Soccer Mom 11:00AM (6/27/2008)
Another Mustang.
Reply
MemphisNET 11:02AM (6/27/2008)
Nice to have some options when buying these toys. I'd still stray to the Challenger R/T myself, but for Mustang fans, this is a great alternative to all the factory editions.
Reply
srivendel 11:07AM (6/27/2008)
Very nice and very well-priced. It obviously won't appeal to everybody, but it offers enthusiasts something they can reach for if they want to.
$38k is a lot of money for a Mustang, but it's similar money to an Evo, STI, 135i, SRT-8, G8 GXP, etc. If this is your "thing" then rock on.
Reply
Freestyle4x4f150 11:10AM (6/27/2008)
400 HP and stays inder $40,000! Not a bad deal at all. Looks good too.
Reply
gwballin 11:40AM (6/27/2008)
I got my 400 HP for under $30,000.
Freestyle4x4f150 11:11AM (6/27/2008)
400 HP and stays inder $40,000! Not a bad deal at all. Looks good too.
Reply
nick 11:19AM (6/27/2008)
As a 06 GT owner, I must say I hope this is the nail in the coffin for the pos Shelbys. They charge 10k more but with only 15hp more, it's a huge rip off and all the idiots still think they are collectibles.
Reply
Michael 1:14PM (6/27/2008)
I agree Nick, Shelby is too expensive and I'd rather have a Bullit than a Shelby. The reason collectors love it is because it is an actual Shelby car, not a Ford product, unlike the gt500.
Michael 1:16PM (6/27/2008)
I agree Nick, Shelby is too expensive and I'd rather have a Bullit than a Shelby. The reason collectors love it is because it is an actual Shelby car, not a Ford product, unlike the gt500.