| Background on the 2001 Saleen Mustang |
 The 2001 versions of the Saleen S-281 and Saleen S-281 S/C continued with only a few changes. Saleen engineers developed a new Roots-type blower for the Saleen S-281 S/C this year. Known as the "Series II" supercharger, it was essentially the previous year's model with a built-in bypass valve that allowed the supercharged 4.6-liter V-8 to develop 365 horsepower. Ford's slight increase in the GT's compression ratio let Saleen sell the S/C with a numerically higher 3.27:1 rear gear without incurring emissions or fuel efficiency penalties. The biggest news for Saleen fans this year was the announcement of an all-new Saleen SR model wearing a $158,000 price tag. The now-familiar 351-cid V-8 was rated at 505 horsepower and 500 lbs.-ft. of torque with a six-speed transmission sending all that power back to a 3.55:1-geared rear axle by way of a a shortened drive shaft. Independent rear suspension components sat where a live axle had been for more than 35 years of Mustang history--a lesson learned from Steve Saleen and Tim Allen's RRR Speedlab racecars. Braking occurred through 14.4-inch front rotors with four-piston calipers in front and 13-inch metallic discs with four-piston calipers in the rear. Beneath the wildly styled, Saleen-unique composit body panels lay a complete roll cage and suspension reinforcement system. The Saleen SR, available in coupe form only, was wind-tuned at Lockheed-Martin's full-size tunnel in Marietta, Georgia. Performance figures released by Saleen Performance claimed the hard charging SR model could reach 60 mph from a standstill in 4.0 seconds flat. The car could circle the skid pad at 1.09g. The Cobra-based Saleen was once again offere, with the return of SVT's double-overhead cam 320-hp V-8. Saleen made no engine modifications to the Cobra package other than the addition of a performance exhaust system. The standard S-281 coupe retailed for $32,099, with the convertible selling for $36,099. Prices for the S-281 S/C models were $37,499 for the coupe and $41,500 for the ragtop. When the Cobra platform was ordered, prices were $41,600 (coupe) and $45,500 (convertible). Most popular among the Saleen Mustang models in 2001 was the standard S-281 coupe, which appealed to 262 buyers. The convertible version was built 167 times. The S-281 S/C coupe was, surprisingly, nearly as popular as the base model and 243 were built. The S-281 S/C convertible was right behind it with 223 assemblies. A handful of other Saleen products left the factory, including nine S-281 Cobra coupes ($41,600), six S-281 Cobra convertibles ($45,500) and one SR coupe. |
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