Autoblog

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Saleen S5S Raptor.

The Saleen S5S Raptor was one of the stars of the New York Auto Show, so it's not surprising that Saleen is considering building the 650-hp, V8 hyper car. According to an interview in Automobile with Chris Theodore, Ford's former head of NA product development, one of the men behind the Ford GT and the man atop Saleen, "the car has the potential for reality." He went on to say that the concept was "designed around a feasible business model," and that the S5S was very well received after its debut. This could mean that a production version is on the way and that it would take all of six months to have a prototype in testing. The major hurdle Saleen has to overcome is finding a suitable production partner, but if that wrinkle is ironed out and they decide to build the Raptor, Saleen's halo car might be spied in prototype form next year.



[Source: Automobile]

The 2008 New York Auto Show press preview is in the books, and now it's the public's turn to roam the floor in the Javits Center. After thinking things over, we thought we'd put together a video of our top five most significant introductions from the show. New York served as a launching pad for exciting new vehicles like the Hyundai Genesis Coupe and Saleen S5S Raptor, so there were some winners to choose from. Click play on the video above to see our picks for the most significant debuts, and follow the jump to check out the high-res shots from the show floor and place your vote for which ride you think deserves the number one spot.

Click above for high-res gallery of the Saleen S5S Raptor

This very blogger wrote a post yesterday about the Saleen S5S Raptor. I didn't mention the cars I thought the Raptor looked like, but a fair number of commenters did. This is what you should know: in person, the car looks like nothing else but the S5S Raptor, and it looks better than any car you think it might look like. It is, to put it plainly, all kinds of hot. Even in yellow, which is this blogger's least favorite car color, I'd still pay for it. Saleen CEO Paul Wilbur said the Raptor is a concept, and he wanted the media's feedback on building it. Mr. Wilbur: yes. Today. Like, now. Check out the hi-res pics and let Mr. Wilbur know what you think.

Click above to view gallery of the Saleen S5S Raptor

Though Saleen won't be officially unveiling its new supercar, the S5S Raptor, on stage until tomorrow, we've got pics and details for you now. Though slated to slot below the hardcore S7 in Saleen's lineup, the S5S Raptor looks no less the part of a high-powered high-performance sports car. It's powered by a supercharged 5.0L engine mounted amidships producing around 650 horsepower and 630 lb-ft. of churn on a steady diet of E85 ethanol.

Developed as a collaboration between Saleen and specialty builder ASC -- both of which are owned by the same private equity firm -- the car is plenty of tech and a bit of throwback. The aluminum chassis 2-seater can get from 0-60 in a supercar-standard 3.2 seconds. When it's time to stop, six-pot calipers hidden by 20-inch wheels clamp down on 15-inch rotors up front. The retro bit: a six-speed manual gearbox. A paddle-shifting sequential is also in the works and may be ready when the car goes into production in 2010. Compared to the S7, the S5S is another relative domestic bargain at only $185,000.

We'll bring you live shots of the S5S Raptor tomorrow when it officially debuts, but until then, check out the gallery of shots below.

UPDATE: New high-res images added to gallery below. Look for live pics of the car's official debut tomorrow.

[Source: Inside Line]

While its custom Mustangs continue to astound, Saleen has long since emerged from the field of aftermarket tuners and established itself as a genuine American supercar maker, having produced such heart-racing exotics as the Saleen S7 and Ford GT. With both now out of production, Saleen is preparing for its next supercar to rival Europe's best.

Back in November we brought you a photo of an intriguing clay model in Saleen's Irvine, California plant, and now details are coming into focus. Dubbed the S5S Raptor, Saleen will bring its newest creation to the New York Auto Show later next month. The Raptor is tipped to feature a 5-liter supercharged V8 running on E85 ethanol. To keep the weight down, Saleen will build the chassis from aluminum and the body panels from composites, helping the lightweight S5S Raptor reach speeds of over 200 mph. They might as well have called it "rapture", because we can't wait to see the newest American supercar in the flesh.

[Source: AutoWeek via World Car Fans]