Autoblog

2008 Saleen S331 adds SuperCrew, drops NA engine

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:02:00 EST

A while back we had a chance to sample Saleen's take on the Sport Truck phenomenon, the Saleen S331 SC Sport Truck. After driving both the supercharged and normally aspirated versions, we predicted that the SC would sway the bulk of buyers. Turns out we were right, and for 2008, Saleen has dropped the NA version of the S331 all together. Interested Saleen truck buyers will still have some options, however, as the S331 lineup's been expanded to include a new four-door SuperCrew version of the truck. The new S331 SuperCrew was just shown at a Texas State Fair preview. A fitting place to debut the new larger truck, with its full four doors. After all, everything is bigger in Texas, as they say.

There's a full press release after the jump and a pair of larger pics in the gallery, but essentially the 2008 models are the same as the '07s, with the exception of the exhaust system. While the side pipes are still available on the shorter SuperCab model, the standard exhaust for that truck and the new SuperCrew is a rear exit setup. Both models still feature the 450 HP, supercharged V8 and the bespoke Saleen RaceCraft suspension that make this one thoroughly enjoyable truck to drive. Considering the fact that you can still tow up to 9,500 lbs. (with a payload capacity of up to 1,890 lbs.), that starting price of $54,200 seems downright reasonable.

[Source: Saleen]

Gallery: 2008 Saleen S331 SuperCrew

Continue reading 2008 Saleen S331 adds SuperCrew, drops NA engine

2008 Saleen S331 adds SuperCrew, drops NA engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive, Pt. II: Saleen S331 Track Day

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Truck, Supercars, Ford, First Drives

Click above for gallery of high-res images by Drew Phillips and the author

Day 1 of our first encounter with the Saleen S331 Sport Truck had us exploring the versatility of the truck. We started off by using the vehicle as a swanky ride through the heart of ultra-rich Orange County. A cruise down PCH gave us a chance to sample the ride and power, and to gauge public interest at the extremes of demographic segments. We got just as many thumbs up from the Lexus and Benz set as we did from the pickup and motorcycle crowd. We even had a chance to see how well the truck performed as, well, a truck. With payload that represented what Saleen sees as its target market's toys, we convoyed over to Newport Harbor with a selection of bikes and watercraft that culminated with a 30-ft powerboat. It's definitely a civilized and capable truck, but we wanted to better sample the "Sport" part. And that's what Day 2 was all about.

We met up at the shuttered El Toro Marine Base, which still has its two long airstrips reasonably intact and available for testing. With just about every model from Saleen's current lineup on hand, we were given a pretty compelling reminder that Saleen and performance go hand-in-hand. On one side we had the fleet of S331 Sport Trucks, on the other a row of Mustangs that ran from the Parnelli Jones, to the S281 SC, to the Extreme. At the head of the class sat a silver S7 under the company's new "School of Speed" banner. There is some talk that this will become a traveling show that will allow owners to better understand their vehicle's limits. We also found out a few other things about the truck and the company over the next few hours, most importantly, how the S331 stacks up against Ford's current sportiest truck, the F-150 FX2 Sport that was on hand for comparison purposes.

Follow the jump to find out how the truck (and the author) did in the autocross.

Gallery: Saleen S331 Sport Truck Track Day

Continue reading First Drive, Pt. II: Saleen S331 Track Day

First Drive, Pt. II: Saleen S331 Track Day originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Mar 2007 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: Saleen S331 is equal parts sport and truck

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 12:50:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Truck, First Drives

We recently had a chance to sample Saleen's newest offering, the S331 Sport Truck, in and around Newport Beach, California. A small fleet of these sport trucks looked right at home parked in front of the Harbor, directly in the shadows of the multi-million dollar yachts at the Balboa Bay Club. We even had an older couple chase us down in their customized BMW 7-series and place an order. We kid you not. The S331 is a new vehicle and new segment for this small manufacturer better known for its Mustangs and S7 supercar. Getting into trucks was a logical development for Saleen, as the dealerships that handle their products report that nearly three quarters of their sales are trucks. So when there appeared to be enough interest in a Saleen truck, they decided to build one. Notice we said "build one" and not "modify one."

Follow the jump for the rest of the Day 1 story. And don't forget to check out the gallery of high-res pics from Drew Phillips and the author.

Gallery: Saleen S331 Sport Truck First Drive

Continue reading First Drive: Saleen S331 is equal parts sport and truck

First Drive: Saleen S331 is equal parts sport and truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Mar 2007 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Lightning? No Problem: Saleen S331 in production

Alex Nunez — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Truck

This just in from our friends at Fast-Autos.net: production on the Saleen S331 sport truck is well underway at Saleen's irvine, CA production facility, and they were able to get inside for an up-close look at the process (check out the photos after the jump).

Unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January, the S331 comes in two flavors: regular and supercharged. Both editions use Ford's 5.4L SOHC 3-valve V8 for motivation and come in the Super Cab body style

The normally-aspirated version is good for 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, while customers who step up to the supercharged edition are rewarded with 450 horses and a Dodge Ram SRT-10-matching 500 lb-ft of torque. A Saleen exhaust, Racecraft suspension, 23" wheels, and six-piston brakes round out the mechanical improvements. Visually, the trucks are dressed in a sharp-looking Saleen body kit that emphatically reinforces their sporting nature. Inside, a new instrument cluster, upgraded leather sport seating embroidered with the Saleen logo and a host of other available options give the S331 a custom feel. Look for prices in the high $30Ks for the normally aspirated version. The supercharged S331 will retail in the upper $40Ks.

(Additional photos after the jump)

[Source: Drew Phillips/Fast-Autos.net]

Continue reading No Lightning? No Problem: Saleen S331 in production

No Lightning? No Problem: Saleen S331 in production originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Sep 2006 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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