2013 Perana Z-One [w/video]

Michael Harley — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Specialty

A Red In Tooth And Claw Throwback

Regardless of whether or not one considers its physical appearance attractive, the Perana Z-One breaks necks everywhere it goes.

I piloted this metallic burgundy coupe down a main thoroughfare in car-centric Orange County - these are people who see exotics daily - and everyone gawked as if the two-seater were covered in blinking high-intensity strobe lights. While the exhaust is loud enough to disturb those driving with mobile phones stuck to their faces, it's not just the acoustic concussion drawing their attention; the Perana's extraordinarily long nose, aggressive wide stance and massive rear clip tell everyone that this is something special.

After less than an hour behind the wheel, I had interacted with more than a dozen strangers about the alluring Z-One. Some yelled to me at traffic lights, more than a few waved from the curb, and then there was a car full of high school kids who chased me down and encircled me in a parking lot. The attention the Perana commanded was nothing short of astounding.

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2013 Perana Z-One [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the Autoblog Garage: Saleen S281 Supercharged Mustang Convertible

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, In the Autoblog Garage, Convertible, Performance, Ford

click above image to view 69 high-resolution photos

When the new Mustang debuted in 2005, pony car enthusiasts were elated. After decades of rehashed Fox-platformed Mustangs that could barely get out of their own way, the new DEW98-derived DC2 'Stang promised so much more. At just over $25,000 for a 300hp GT, it delivered big time in the bang for the buck category. With such a low entrance fee, the platform really allows for things to be taken up a notch or two. Seems everybody and their mother are offering tuned Mustangs with body kits, wheel and tire packages, and enough underhood goodies to make that 300 hp look positively anemic.

We've already profiled several of these and have even had our grubby little hands wrapped around the steering wheel of a Roush 427R for a week. While we're still waiting for Ford's own super 'Stang, the GT500, to find its way into the AB garage, specialty manufacturer Saleen stepped up to offer us a sampling of their current lineup. Although our first choice Parnelli Jones limited edition was previously spoken for, we know that we will get one soon. In its place we were able to park a 2006 S281 Supercharged convertible. With 435 hp under its lightweight hood, we figured it might be an acceptable substitution.

And we weren't disappointed. This sucker is fast. And fun, if you can define fun as having dozens of strangers speed up to get a pic of you on the freeway, giving you thumbs up at a stop light, fielding questions from bright-eyed young ladies at every (frequent) gas stop, and being able to light up the tires at will in almost any gear at almost any speed. Those are a few ways we usually define fun, so it seems we have a winner here. But is living with one for a few days as much fun as it seems? Read on for the whole story.

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: Saleen S281 Supercharged Mustang Convertible

In the Autoblog Garage: Saleen S281 Supercharged Mustang Convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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