Saleen S7

The Saleen S7 is a supercar that was jointly designed by RML and Saleen, Incorporated and is currently being built at Saleen's headquarters factory in Irvine, California. It is constructed with a unique hybrid of a steel spaceframe and aluminum honeycomb panels encased with autoclave-cured carbon fiber bodywork. Engineering of the unique engine that is used in the S7 was headed by Billy Tally, Saleen's current Vice President of Advanced Engineering.

Saleen S7 race cars were sold prior to 2002, but the first Saleen S7 road car to be sold was a 2003 Lizstick Red chassis #018 that was delivered on June 6, 2002. Prior to 2005, the S7 was naturally-aspirated and produced 550 hp (410 kW). For the 2005 model year, the engine was equipped with two turbochargers and power output was increased to 750 hp (559 kW). The car was designed to be a Twin Turbo setup from the beginning, however.

The Saleen S7 has also been campaigned in racing events around the world. It has been met with notable success in the IMSA's American Le Mans Series, where it competes in the GT-1 class. In all, it has won over 40 events around the globe; mostly in the American Le Mans and in the FIA GT championship. The S7 has achieved 7 GT Championship Wins, including the French GT championship. Saleen also introduced factory supported aftermarket packages for 850 and 1035bhp in early 2006. The latter option adds approximately $75,600 to the list price. In late 2006 there will be a third party top speed run for the 750bhp S7.

Specifications

Engine

• Engine: OHV, Aluminum V8
• Bore & Stroke: 4.120 x 4.00 in (104.6 x 101.6 mm)
• Engine size: 7.0 L
• Power Output: 750 hp (559 kW) @ 6300 rpm
• Torque Output: 700 lbf·ft (949 N·m) @ 4800 rpm
• Compression ratio: 11.0:1

Transmission
Transmission Ratios:

• 1st gear: 2.86:1
• 2nd gear: 1.61:1
• 3rd gear: 1.14:1
• 4th gear: 0.96:1
• 5th gear: 0.81:1
• 6th gear: 0.64:1
• Final drive: Limited slip 3.70:1

Suspension

• Front: Unequal-length double wishbones, lightweight aluminum dampers with coil-over springs, anti-roll bar
• Rear: Unequal length double wishbones, light-weight aluminum dampers with coil-over springs, anti-roll bar

Brakes

• Front: 15.0 in discs/6-pot calipers
• Rear: 14.0 in discs/6-pot calipers

Wheels and Tires

• Wheels:
  • Front: 19 in. x 9.5 in
  • Back: 20 in. x 12.0 in
• Tires:
  • Front: 275/30ZR19
  • Back: 345/30ZR20

Chassis/Body

• Chassis: Lightweight 4130 Steel space frame-Aluminum Honeycomb Hybrid
• Body Panels: Autoclave-cured prepreg Carbon fiber
• Weight: 2750 lb (1250 kg)
• Ground clearance: 4.00 in (102 mm) (U.S. street-suspension configuration)
• Length: 187.95 in (4774 mm)
• Width: 78.35 in (1990 mm)
• Height: 40.98 in (1041 mm)
• Wheelbase: 106.30 in (2700 mm)
• Track (Front/Rear): 68.82 in (1748 mm) / 67.32 in (1710 mm)
• Weight distribution with one occupant: 40/60
• Fuel Tank: 19.0 US gallons (72 liters)

Performance

• Top speed: 248 mph (399 km/h)
• 0-60 mph: 2.8 seconds

Car & Driver S7 Twin Turbo performance stats

C/D TEST RESULTS
ACCELERATION: Seconds
Zero to 30 mph: 1.0
40 mph: 2.2
50 mph: 2.9
60 mph: 3.4
70 mph: 3.9
80 mph: 4.7
90 mph: 5.4
100 mph: 6.2
110 mph: 7.0
120 mph: 8.4
130 mph: 9.5
140 mph: 10.9
150 mph: 13.6
160 mph: 15.6
Street start, 5–60 mph: 3.5
Top-gear acceleration, 30–50 mph: 5.7
50–70 mph: 5.4
Standing ¼-mile: 10.9 sec @ 140 mph
Top speed (drag limited, mfr’s claim): 248 mph

BRAKING
70–0 mph @ impending lockup: 157 ft
Modulation: poor fair good excellent
Front-rear balance: poor fair good

HANDLING
Roadholding, 200-ft-dia skidpad: 1.04 g
Understeer: minimal moderate excessive

Trivia

• A Saleen S7 was driven by Jim Carrey (as the character Bruce Nolan) in the film Bruce Almighty. Carrey owns that car.
• Featured in 50 Cent's music video Candy Shop.
• Appears on the cover of the packaging for the console game: Supercars
• Appears on the back cover of the chinese packaging for the console game: Gran Turismo 4
• Appears as a playable car in Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition, Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition Remix, Forza Motorsport, Project Gotham Racing 2, Project Gotham Racing 3, Gran Turismo 4, and Test Drive Unlimited, S7R version is available in SimBin's GTR.
• A lipstick red Saleen S7 was used to promote the Gilette Mach3 Turbo razorblade in 2004, it also appears in its packaging.
• Many die-cast miniature models of the S7 depict the vehicle with engine bay covers that were included in the clay mock-up unveiled prior to the production launch of the vehicle; however, these covers were omitted from production due to engine cooling requirements.
• At 160mph, the Saleen S7 produces its own weight in downforce and could theoretically be driven upside down. [1]
• Communist Dictator Kim Jong-il is believed to own a Saleen S7, he also owns a McLaren F1||}}.

References

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External links

• Saleen's S7 webpage
• Saleen S7 High Resolution Images
• Saleen Images and Info
• RML
• Car Specifications and Performance Stats
• Saleen S7 interior pictures