Steve Saleen announces 2010 Signature Series Mustangs
The 2010 Ford Mustang made its debut just a few weeks ago at the LA Auto Show and already various tuners around the country are preparing their variants based on the new model. Steve Saleen has beat everyone to the punch and is the first to announce his new lineup called the Signature Series 460 Mustangs. Each will feature a supercharged version of Ford's 4.6L V8 starting at 475 horsepower and going all the way up to over 650 raging ponies underneath the hood. Keep in mind that the mechanicals of the 2010 Mustang are carried over from the current model, so we should expect the aftermarket industry to carry over their performance parts for the 4.6L V8, as well. Aerodynamic enhancements for the SMS Mustang will be penned by noted designer Phil Frank, and the cars will also feature upgrades for the drivetrain, suspension, tires, wheels and more upscale interior. More details can be found in the SMS press release after the jump.
[Source: SMS Supercars]
PRESS RELEASE:
Dec 14, 2008 - Orange County, California. Steve Saleen announced today that he and his new company SMS (Steve's initials) will design, engineer, certify and manufacture an all-new family of ultra-high performance Mustangs. Steve's 25 year legacy with the Mustang will continue into the next quarter century with the launch of his 2010 Signature Series SMS 460 Mustangs.
The introduction of the SMS 460 Mustangs keeps Steve Saleen in the saddle with the model that made him famous as a manufacturer of high performance sports cars. Since leaving his former company, Saleen, Inc., Steve has entered exciting new territory with SMS. The first products to wear the new badge - the SMS 570 Challenger and SMS 570X Challenger, will begin shipping in late January.
"After 25 years of rich Mustang heritage, I am excited to begin work on the 2010 model" explains Steve. "Ford has hit the spot with the excellent new Mustang package and has provided me with an outstanding starting point. "The SMS 460 Mustangs will be truly world class performance vehicles and they will be available though the entire Ford dealer network!"
Hinting at the character of his latest creation, Steve says, "We are carrying over a host of performance features and innovations from my SMS Twenty Fifth Anniversary model, which is a stunning performer and an aesthetic beauty!"
The fully-certified and street-legal SMS 460 Mustangs are based on the exciting 2010 Mustang GT platform and will feature an SMS Supercharged 4.6L engine with power ratings from 475 to over 650 horsepower! Both models will feature extensive design refinements and performance innovations, including the patented SMS Red Butterfly Induction™ hood and a full compliment of SMS ultra-high performance components. Look for all-new and upgraded drivetrain, suspension, aerodynamics, tires, wheels and interior.
"The 2010 Mustang already has an exciting and sculptural exterior, as well as new, up-scale interior," notes Phil Frank, SMS Chief Creative Officer. "The SMS 460 Mustangs will evolve our design DNA in a more aggressive and aerodynamic direction."
Each of these limited edition vehicles will be hand signed by Steve Saleen as part of the SMS Signature Series product line, complete with unique badges and graphics. Annual production volume will be restricted, adding to the exclusivity of ownership. Contracts are issued on a first-come first-served basis and deposits are now being accepted for early production numbers scheduled for build in the second quarter of 2009.
Interested customers can contact SMS Supercars directly by calling (714) 400-2121 or by logging onto to www.smssupercars.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dude 10:12AM (12/15/2008)
This has got to be some sort of record!
The car is not even out yet and already an aftermarket tuner is going to offer a tarted up version for those tired of the stock looks. Again, for a car that's not even out yet!
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mcspeed 11:18AM (12/15/2008)
Saleen was granted Origional Equipment Manfacturer status back in the late 90's, so he receives new models far in advance of their release and before most other tuners.
Hopefully his $60k+ mustang will be faster then the new shelby and not just stickers, racecraft suspension and the same old supercharged 3v. Bring back the daring days of the S351 but use the new 6.2L huricane.
Jake 11:38AM (12/15/2008)
Did you read the part about the supercharger and 650HP, nearly doubling stock power???
Randy 1:56PM (12/15/2008)
This is all well and good but I'm confused! Didn't Steve Saleen sell the company and start something else? Did he take it back? Clue me in! I'm completely lost and stranded on this right now! WILSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
adrenalnjunky 2:03PM (12/15/2008)
@ Randy
Old company was Saleen. He left/quit/was asked to go, whatever. Now he has started SMS - his new tuning company.
Randy 10:41PM (12/15/2008)
@adrenalnjunky
I knew he got out but why get out and do the same thing under a different name! That's so silly! That's like Sam Walton selling Walmart and then opening Target and having to get known all over again!
Sigh! Thanks for the insight!
Other Dude 10:25AM (12/15/2008)
Is the car even out yet?! :)
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Benfolio 10:26AM (12/15/2008)
This just in: 2010 Mustang grille modeled after Steve Saleen's facial hair.
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CH 10:34AM (12/15/2008)
Heh, now he can claim that all other aftermarket tuners making special editions of the mustang, are only jumping the bandwagon he started...
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MajorGeek 10:46AM (12/15/2008)
Well.. I don't think the car has changed as far as nuts and bolts go? You have different lights, a bump in the hood, etc so i assume that parts from and 09 would fit a 10?
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George 6:58PM (12/15/2008)
Actually according to most articles I've read, every exterior part is somewhat different except for the roof.
Mobius_1 10:47AM (12/15/2008)
About time to stop hatin' people. I would totally not mind some Mustang variants to brighten up the desktop, internet, dragstrip, bedroom walls and most importantly, roads.
And isn't the whole point of a pony car to have lots of available upgrades to make it truly your own?
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fujia 11:17AM (12/15/2008)
Ford and its cohorts have been "introducing" new Mustang variants almost every Monday for a whole year and they're about to go bankrupt ! For Pete's sake people, don't you see where the problem is with Detroit and those like Saleen, Shelby, Roush and this very blog who prolong the agony ? Isn't it time to start being creative and for whoever is left standing in Detroit to join the 21st century ?
Murray 11:30AM (12/15/2008)
"and more upscale interior"
Ford already took care of that part for you Steve.
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Bob 1:10PM (12/31/2008)
Steve Saleen has created more enemies than friends as evidenced by the rapid decline of the ,"Exclusive Dealer Network" which he left behind when he was asked to leave.
In addition, if you examine what happened to his retail establishment in Irvine, Ca. and the many people he left behind,(other than family members) everyone should understand that this is a barometer for the future.
Saleen enjoys investors money, and talks a good game, however there is no way he can compete in the segment in any environment with his attiiude and horrible dealer relations reputation.
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jerryl 12:40PM (12/15/2008)
How right you are.......I couldn't agree more !!!! He's right there with the late Boyd Coddington for customer dissatisfaction and self promotion. He's not in Shelby's league yet but he's gaining fast.
GeoSB8K 12:47PM (12/15/2008)
I thought he left because he wanted a company where he could do more than just mustangs. SMS has a package out for the Charger and will be doing something for the new Camaro as well. I'm just curious because I never heard the whole story behind him leaving Saleen, they company he founded. I do remember seeing that Saleen Inc. has filed for chapter 11 recently. They were bought in 2004 and Steve eventually left (started SMS) along with a lot of their skilled folks (they started a new performance parts company called TECHCO). Based off of this it would seem to me that the new management is more to blame. BTW - If he's first to show a mod'd 2010 mustang he must still be in good graces with Ford.
FThorn 12:06PM (12/15/2008)
From his picture, what is Steve MAD AT?
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Polly Prissy Pants 12:31PM (12/15/2008)
I think there's a psych thesis here for someone in the market. The title could be:
Frowning for the camera - The rise of the "I'm such a badass because I don't smile for the camera" generation
Of course you'd then have to rationally explain why the current trend is towards frowning, not smiling, when you get your picture taken. Maybe as a society we've fallen in love with the hard nosed ahole? Or is it a function of our growing insecurity in this topsy-turvy world? However it works out, I imagine it would be a fascinating study.
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Curtis 12:55PM (12/15/2008)
Who doesn't love another Mustang variant?
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