SMS Supercars previews 460 and 460X Mustangs
2010 SMS 460 Mustang – Click above to enlarge
If you build it they will come. At least that's what Steve Saleen is hoping, and with his recent announcement regarding Saleen, Inc's warranties, we're guessing many of his loyal customers will indeed come with money in hand to buy his new tricked-out ponycar. Not that people will buy the car based on reputation alone - SMS has made sure that its 460 Mustang has the proper credentials of a Steve Saleen creation. The exterior gets a full makeover including a new front fascia, Red Butterfly Air Induction hood, side splitters, rear fascia, and rear wing complemented by 20-inch, 5-spoke wheels. Two variants are available, a 460 Mustang and a 460X Mustang. The first features a 4.6L supercharged V8 putting out 470 horsepower mated to a 5-speed manual while the latter sports a 5.0L supercharged V8 producing 655 horsepower routed through a 6-speed manual. Both also feature several suspension upgrades including a new watts-linkage system and upgraded front and rear brakes. Follow the jump for more details in the press release from SMS.
[Source: SMS]
PRESS RELEASE
Steve Saleen ponies up, celebrates 25 years in the business and 45 years of Mustangs with 2010 SMS 460 Mustang
Orange County, California. (April 17, 2009) Steve Saleen, his name being synonymous with fast Mustangs, would not be Steve if he kept his hands off Ford's newest pony. On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the launch of the original Mustang in 1964, and in reflection on his 25 year association with America's iconic sports car, Steve celebrates with Mustang aficionados from around the world in launching first sketches of the 2010 SMS 460 and SMS 460X Mustangs at the 45th Anniversary Celebrations in Birmingham, Alabama.
Instantly recognizable as Steve Saleen's work, the new SMS 460 Mustangs feature a host of visual and technical highlights that set them apart from the crowd. "I previewed many of the features of my newest Mustang with the 25th anniversary car I showed last year," says SMS Supercars CEO and President Steve Saleen.
The front fascia treatment, the SMS Red Butterfly Air Induction HoodTM, the front and side splitters, the rear fascia and diffuser with the high down-force rear wing showed the way Steve Saleen is looking at Mustangs today. "You have to go with the times. While the Mustang remains an icon, Ford has done a very good job with the 2010 model. I wanted to interpret it using my signature to create the latest Steve Saleen version of this American favorite."
The SMS 460 Mustang offers a 4.6 liter V8 engine featuring a minimum 470 hp and 427 ft-lb of torque, while the even more powerful SMS 460X Mustang engine with all new internal and headwork delivers 655 hp and 600 ft-lb out of the enlarged 5.0 liter V8. Both use the new (patent pending) SMS 296 Supercharger presented last week at the New York International Auto Show. Transmission options are a 5-speed automatic or 5-speed manual on the 460 or a 6-speed SMST manual on the top of the line 460X.
Performance for both cars is expectedly striking. The 460 Mustang accelerates from 0 to 60 in the low 4 seconds, while the 460X manages the same in the lower 4's. In addition to engine output, handling, roadholding and braking play an equally important role. The 2010 SMS 460 Mustangs feature Steve's signature Watt's linkage suspension with all-new geometry. New SMS brakes front and rear deliver impressive stopping power to match the jaw-dropping performance.
The interior with all-new Alcantara and leather SMS performance seats features the patented Signature Series chevron stripes. Dash and interior panels are covered in hand-stitched high-quality leather. Multiple seat chevron and SMS unique exterior colors are available.
More details about Steve Saleen's latest Mustang will be revealed in the spring of 2009, deliveries are expected to start mid-summer. Customers interested in buying a SMS 460 and SMS 460X Mustang can either contact SMS Supercars directly at www.smssupercars.com or by calling (714) 400 2121.
SMS Supercars
SMS Supercars is a niche manufacturer of lifestyle ultra-high performance vehicles, technical
performance parts, lifestyle accessories and apparel. SMS Supercars designs, engineers,
tests, certifies, manufactures and assembles all of their own products and vehicles.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jcar302 7:37PM (4/19/2009)
Better come in under 50 grand and put the power to ground as well as the new shelby , or their will be no point in owning anything other than a gt500.
Most 05-09 tuner mustangs sported big numbers on paper, but it didn't translate into great performance on the pavement.
I guess we will see.
12.3 in the quarter with the gt500 is alot to contend with, especially since according to reviews it not only smokes through the quarter, but handles well too.
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Yaroukh 7:52PM (4/19/2009)
no offense plz, but the last thing I would be afraid of is that Steve Saleen doesn't know what he's doing :)
jcar302 8:28PM (4/19/2009)
Yarouukh,
I'm well aware of steve saleen, i happen to own a saleen vehicle.
While the 05-09 looked very good, they really were not great performers. Anyone can build a car that burns tires up. Putting that power to the ground is what is important.
And for the 60k price tag on an SC, you really didn't get your money's worth. A little old lady in a stock vette could whoop you for 10 less grand.
And if you want to compare an E car, you really were getting raped financially, E cars cost more than GTR's and Z06's, and the performance wasn't even close.
This is why i say that it's important that the new SMS car keep up with at least the new gt500, because if it doesn't, why would anyone buy one?
phooky 7:38PM (4/19/2009)
I like it, a lot. Worthy of the Saleen name-- I just wish it still said SALEEN on the rear. Saw the SMS Challengers at the NY Auto Show, and the SMS lettering just looked sad back there.
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Tylerz06 7:43PM (4/19/2009)
I don't get it did Saleen go out of business and get bought out by SMS Supercars? This car looks great and has a beast of an engine!
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Farmboy 7:57PM (4/19/2009)
I think it is that Steve Saleen sold Saleen and started SMS Supercars (his initials)
Yaroukh 7:55PM (4/19/2009)
On May 14, 2007, Steve Saleen announced his resignation from his position as Vice Chairman of Saleen, Inc.
On March 13 2008 Steve Saleen announced the formation of “SMS Limited”
--
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Saleen
Matt 8:58PM (4/19/2009)
Mustangs that are actually worth buying AND can perform??
Amazing.
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abbas350 2:18AM (4/20/2009)
it's still a myth, like unicorns, or griffins, or korean luxury cars
PJ 5:24AM (4/20/2009)
Matt, those would be the base Mustang GTs. When you consider the difficulty these tuner specials have in putting their extra power to the ground (and the resulting
irocthief 10:16PM (4/19/2009)
im hoping they fixed the back of it
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andy 9:25PM (4/19/2009)
Both cars make more power then i would need but i still want them. SMS is an ok name but Saleen Mustang had a great ring to it.
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andy 9:34PM (4/19/2009)
and if they come in under 50K i cant think of anything that would stop me from buying one when im ready to trade my car in....unless the new 5.0L GT puts out 400hp and can be had for around 30 with the suspension package...
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Trent 9:33PM (4/19/2009)
They really need to price this right if they want them to sell.
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Jack 9:51PM (4/19/2009)
How much?
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Speed lab 1:42AM (4/20/2009)
Thanks Steve for letting Saleen INC go out of business and put all of your loyal employees in Troy out of a job. Only to go back to California and start up another company less than a year later doing the same business.
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Rob 11:50AM (4/20/2009)
Steve didn't even own his own company anymore. He was just a figurehead. He sold it off many years ago in pieces.
John 6:02AM (4/22/2009)
The end of Saleen Inc was not Steve's doing. He was ousted by the BOD in 2007, then the company proceeded to fall apart without Steve. He went elsewhere initially before forming SMS. Steve has supported the Saleen Inc customers by offering to back the warranty on Saleen Inc cars through SMS after Saleen Inc went bankrupt.
Cheap Cars 2:51AM (4/20/2009)
“If any Saleen customer in the United States who purchased a Saleen Inc. product up until February 2, 2009, has a warranty claim, they can directly contact my new company,SMS Supercars,” continued Mr. Saleen. “We will honor their remaining warranties as if they were SMS Supercars warranties.” SMS Supercars’ warranty terms will apply.
==>> http://www.yugocars.com
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katshot 8:13AM (4/20/2009)
Test
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