Saleen announces new electric supercar

Californian tuner and sometimes supercar-builder Saleen has confirmed it is working on an all-new electric car, with plans to debut the new model in 2015.

Perhaps best known for the 248mph Saleen S7 Twin Turbo, which went out of production in 2009, the firm specialises in providing performance upgrades for modern American muscle cars, including the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.

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However, Saleen is keen to get into the bespoke supercar game again, and is claiming in a newly released statement that its forthcoming electric vehicle will be ‘unlike anything currently in the market place.’

Exactly what this would entail is unclear at this stage, but the Saleen is saying ‘Throw out your pre-conceived notions and expectations. This vehicle will be revolutionary in its aesthetics and mechanics.’

This suggests we won’t be seeing a return of the sharky, low-slung supercar looks of the S7 (pictured above), nor even a production version of the neatly proportioned Saleen S5S, which represents the last time the company showed a bespoke in-house concept design, way back in 2008.

However, according to Saleen CEO, Steve Saleen:

“We intend to enter this market with an offering that is truly innovative and offers the styling and craftsmanship associated with the Saleen Automotive brand.

“The rapid pace of advancements in electric vehicle technology makes our entry into this market sector timely and should expedite completion of this project.”

Bold talk, especially for a company that went through bankruptcy proceedings two years ago – but we look forward to seeing what Saleen has planned for its package of electric motors and batteries.

Scale models and more details of the Saleen electric car are expected to break cover in 2014.

On Bing: see pictures of the Saleen S5S concept

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By motoringresearch.com