Saleen Performance Vehicles reveals new Mustang

Another day, another Saleen Mustang.

Saleen Performance Vehicles is unveiling its first version of the 2010 Ford Mustang, the 435S, this week at an enthusiasts' event in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The car is fitted with a Saleen Series VI supercharger and makes 435 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque from its upgraded 4.6-liter V8. The car also is fitted with a short-throw shifter for the five-speed manual transmission.

This is the second performance Mustang shown this week from a company called Saleen. Former Saleen owner Steve Saleen, who is suing is the owners of his old company, also showed a car.

The 435S is 1.5 inches lower than the stock Mustang GT and rides on a Racecraft suspension designed to reduce body roll and improve handling. The outside has Saleen badging and chevrons, similar to past performance Mustangs from the company. The 435S rides on 18-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels, with 19s and 20s available.

Saleen
A view from the back of the Saleen 435S.

The 453S is the first car launched by Saleen Performance Vehicles under its new owners, a group of Michigan-based companies led by CEO Michael Shields that bought some of the old assets earlier this year.

“It's just a continuation of the brand . . . it's a next generation,” he said.

A more powerful Mustang will be shown by the company at SEMA and is expected to arrive on the market next spring.

Meanwhile, Saleen said it plans to honor warranties from 2005 to 2009, after previously saying that it would not.

A lawsuit was filed by Steve Saleen against the company on July 17, disputing the use of the Saleen name. He now runs SMS Supercars.

By Greg Migliore