Automotive News, Media & Press - Saleen's SMS Challengers

Yep, you didn't think old Steve Saleen was done with hot rods, did you? Looks like he will be offering both 500 and 700+hp versions of the upcoming Dodge Challengers, based off of the R/T models.
http://www.autoblog.com/tag/Challenger/
Sounds like fun :D

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/05/sms_challenger_450-op.jpg

After Autosport, Productions, Speedlab and Performance, Steve Saleen announced the launch of a new brand called SMS Limited. The Saleen SMS Limited will focus on the American Muscle Car and Global Supercar markets.

Due to the their heritage with the Ford dealer network and Ford vehicles Saleen needed a new brand to get the needed freedom to develop new specialty vehicles.

From the Saleen Press Release:

Steve Saleen announced today the formation of “SMS Limited”, Lifestyle Performance Automobiles, the pinnacle brand in his portfolio of companies. As a professional race driver and innovative businessman, Steve is well known as the founder of numerous Steve Saleen Brands including Saleen Autosport in 1983, Saleen Productions in 1993, Saleen Speedlab in 1997, Saleen Performance in 1999, Saleen, Inc. in 2001 and now SMS Limited in 2008. In the years of building the many brands, Mr. Saleen oversaw and participated in every aspect of the business, product development, sales and marketing.

His latest endeavor will focus on the expansion into the high-end of the diverse American Muscle Car and Global Supercar markets.

“I am drawing upon 25 years of rich experience in the automotive industry to address the rapidly expanding global market of automotive lifestyle vehicles, technical performance parts, accessories and apparel” explains Steve Saleen, Chairman and CEO of SMS Limited. “SMS will enable us to do what could not be done at Saleen, Inc. due to their heritage with the Ford dealer network and Ford vehicles. We are using this freedom, along with our new technology developed at SMS to create world-class specialty vehicles.”

“We are currently developing our Signature Series of ultra high performance vehicles and technical performance parts which will address the new American Muscle Car offerings”, discloses Mr. Saleen, “our charter focuses on delivering the best solutions at the best performance value to the varied world of the automotive enthusiast, be they Dodge, Chevrolet or Ford faithful.”

“Supercar fans will be delighted to learn about the all-new vehicles and new technology we are currently developing”, reveals Mr. Saleen “these cars will deliver superior performance and innovation for both the track day enthusiast and the passionate on-road driver”.

Billy Tally, Chief Technical Officer, adds, “These vehicles have been engineered to meet the demands of the world’s most challenging race tracks”. Mr. Saleen continues, “Sportscar racing enthusiasts will be excited about the upcoming announcement of our return to racing in the American LeMans Series. You will hear more about that very soon.”

“Developing and manufacturing cars is one thing, but selling them is quite another” continues Mr. Saleen, “We will be bringing our new and unique automotive lifestyle retail experience to a number of global markets. Watch out for more interesting news on our distribution and retail plans in a few weeks”.

Mr. Saleen concludes “The time is right; we have the talent, the new technology, the funding and the drive to achieve our goals. We will be the brand of choice for the community and culture of the automotive enthusiast”.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/smslimited.jpg

I want to see the 700hp Saleen Challenger take on the 725hp Gt500 Super Snake, that will be a pretty cool battle on the track.
-Joel

Nice. :cool:

Now, if Mr. Saleen would be so kind as to show the rest of the world how to get the Chrysler ECM to let mods actually do something....

Seriously, that is one of my only beefs with Mopars nowadays...

I want to see the 700hp Saleen Challenger take on the 725hp Gt500 Super Snake, that will be a pretty cool battle on the track.
-Joel

Isnt Saleen going to be doing the Camaro as well? Now that would be cool. Mopar vs ford vs GM, just like the old days.

Now, if Mr. Saleen would be so kind as to show the rest of the world how to get the Chrysler ECM to let mods actually do something....

Seriously, that is one of my only beefs with Mopars nowadays...

yeah me too, more people would be interested in buying one (or any SRT8 for that matter) if they were able to mod it

they'd sell a lot more hemis if they did.

Isnt Saleen going to be doing the Camaro as well? Now that would be cool. Mopar vs ford vs GM, just like the old days.All signs point that way.

New Press Release

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/sms-570-front-093008.jpg

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/sms-570-rear-093008.jpg

Steve Saleen and his company SMS are well on the way to production with the first vehicle in the line of Signature Series ultra-high performance vehicles. The SMS 570 Challenger will be the first vehicle with a host of aesthetic and functional innovations including the patented SMS Red Butterfly Induction™ hood and a full compliment of SMS ultra-high performance components including: drivetrain, suspension, aerodynamics, tires, wheels and interior.

The fully certified and street legal SMS 570 Challenger and SMS 570X Challenger will be based off the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T platform and will feature a SMS designed and engineered SMS 296 Supercharger atop the 5.7L Hemi, with power ratings from 500 to over 700 horsepower respectively.

The MSRP's for the 2009 SMS 570 Challenger and SMS 570X Challenger are targeted to start at $60,000 to $70,000 respectively with production commencing in 2008. Both models will carry a bumper-to-bumper factory warranty.

This is an exciting opportunity for the Mopar community to finally take part in the ultra-high performance niche production vehicle market! So act now to reserve yours.

Each of these limited edition vehicles will be personally signed by Steve Saleen as part of the Signature Series product line, complete with unique badges and graphics. Production numbers will be limited per year depending on the model, so the opportunity to be one of the few owners is limited to a first come first served basis. So act now, by placing your pre-production orders though any Dodge dealer in the US. Or call us directly for more details.

About SMS

We are a niche manufacturer of lifestyle ultra-high performance vehicles, technical performance parts, lifestyle accessories and apparel. We design, engineer, test, certify, manufacture and assemble all our own products and vehicles.

I really hope I don't see more of these "saleen" mobiles on the road. The mustangs are enough

Gorgeous looking car. Little highly priced though.

W

Whens the firehawk challanger going to come out?

Now, if Mr. Saleen would be so kind as to show the rest of the world how to get the Chrysler ECM to let mods actually do something....

Seriously, that is one of my only beefs with Mopars nowadays...

Yeah I dont understand that, looks like F.A.S.T is going to make alot of money if they come out with a stand alone for that car.


But who wants to spend money on a standalone if you have boltons or are cam only?!