In a recent letter to dealers, Saleen, Inc. introduced a new intiiative revolving around the "RaceCraft" brand, previously for components, but now for both components and vehicles.

"Today's competitive marketplace has created unprecedented challenges. In listening to your Saleen dealer needs we are introducing a new brand of performance products, fully warranted at a more competitive price point," the communication began.

Perhaps one of the most underutilized pieces of Saleen intellectual property, "The Racecraft brand is a recognized trademark of Saleen associated with performance products. Racecraft will be offered to all Saleen Dealers and approximately 1000 select Ford dealers across the US," mentioned the communication.

Under the RaceCraft name, the first product to be introduced will be the 420S Mustang, which features a twin screw Supercharger, Racecraft suspension, unique graphics, short throw shifter, special interior appointments and an 18 inch wheel and tire upgrade, for an MSRP of $38.995, including freight and gas guzzler tax.

The Dealer letter also noted that, "Within the year, the Racecraft brand will also include a performance derivative of the Focus with a target price around $20,000 MSRP."

Among the features to be included with the new RaceCraft car are:

• Racecraft 4.6L SOHC Supercharged V-8
• Horsepower: 420 @ 5800 RPM
• Torque: 400 ft.-lbs. @ 4000 RPM
• 39 lb. fuel injectors
• 98 mm mass airflow sensor
• hi-flow inlet tube and air box cover
• Performance air filter
• Racecraft specific rate front and rear coil springs
• Racecraft front struts (N2)
• Racecraft rear shocks (N2)
• Racecraft front sway bar and pivot bushings
• Bridgestone Potenza All-Season Performance Radial Tires
• 18”x9” Front and 18”x10” Rear Aluminum Alloy ‘Torque Blade’ wheels
• Racecraft exterior badging
• Racecraft logo side rocker graphics
• Racecraft ‘420S’ performance vinyl hood graphics
• Racecraft rear decklid graphics
• Racecraft 180 MPH silver faced speedometer with MyColor feature
• Satin aluminum instrument panel upgrade
• Racecraft steering wheel badge
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Leather wrapped billet aluminum shift ****
• Leather shift boot
• Performance cloth seats with Racecraft embroidered headrest

 

I like the concept, but not sure why the front fascia remain unchanged.

This could be a good opportunity for saleen to market its own racecraft fascia....

Or use the Heritage Fascia.

 

Because of the price. It's a supercharged GT with suspension upgrades for under $40,000!

 

40 Large and they couldn't give it leather seats?

 

This is where the original Saleen lineup should have been in the first place price wise. At least they get now that not many people find value in overpriced Mustangs. Saleen cars are nice but it's best to buy them slightly used to get them for what they are really worth.

 

I like those wheels!!

 

Nice Avatar, now........**** off..

 

I like the wheels.

 

This is the first S197 Saleen product that I am excited about! OK, the twin vent hood is sweet too...

 

looks like a photoshop picture

 

I have read in recent magazine features that Saleen will also make his own versions of both the Camaro and Challenger. I think he stated that now he no longer has a direct relationship with Ford and that he would now be able to branch out and do other things.

I think the Saleen Challenger will be out six months into the 09' model year.

 

Saleen will still do Fords only. It's SMS that will do the Chevy and Mopars. SMS is Steve Saleen's new company that has nothing to do with the original Saleen company.

 

I want those wheels

 

I like the car, but could do without that graphic along the bottom of the doors. The Heritage is still my fav Saleen, but the price...

 

It's a great idea seems like Saleen marketing/concept stratagy is out pacing the other manufacturers. Question remains if dealers start to mark then up in price and kill a great deal.

Jed

 

Interesting design idea by Saleen, something almost "affortable."

Saleen first used that wheel design on a small run (around 60) of 2007 H281 cars,
but it was only offered in just the 18" x 9" size.
I got an extra set to keep for my car and now, maybe I just might try for 2 of the 10" wide ones.

Here's a closeup of my wheels...

 

Thanks for the pic I like the flat surface look. This is something I have been looking for. Did the big brake kit need spacers to fit?

 

Nope on using spacers.
It's a tight fit but the wheels just clear those 14" Saleen brakes, same ones as used on the PJ version.
Saleen's engineers didn't think it would fit with these 18" rims, but they tested them out on my car as it was being built in Troy.

 

I want those wheels Hopefully they introduce them to the public.

 

Troy, MI (July 3, 2008) – Today Saleen Incorporated, America's premiere niche vehicle manufacturer, announced the promotion of its newest performance vehicle brand, Racecraft. "The Racecraft moniker has been synonymous with Saleen performance since the first Saleen Mustang, "said Saleen Automotive General Manager, Marques McCammon.
"Racecraft is a brand that our enthusiasts know as the secret sauce in Saleen suspensions, now that brand name will grow to encompass a full line of exciting performance vehicles."

The Brand

The Racecraft brand will provide consumers with:
· Value that the market can touch
· A ready canvas for customization
· Business first styling that puts go before show

"This formula is one of legitimate performance that you can see, hear, and feel. It just seemed a natural for us to say that Racecraft will 'Power Your Senses' ", said McCammon.

The Product

Racecraft model nomenclature is a reflection of vehicle horsepower. Thus the first model in the lineup, the base Mustang, 420S features 420 Horsepower Supercharged V8 engine. Each Racecraft vehicle will also feature the signature Racecraft suspension, Bridgestone performance tires, light weight aluminum alloy wheels, race inspired graphics and signature interior accents. The design formula is understated, leaving room for the enthusiast to explore their own expression of style and performance through Saleen's SpeedLab performance parts division. All of this is wrapped in a 3 year 36,000 mile factory warranty.

Customization

"Racecraft and SpeedLab is the perfect marriage," says SpeedLab General Manager, Michael Lingo. "The vehicles are dynamically superior right out of the box, but my team is always ready to take performance to the next level. It is a perfect combination, and the winner is the consumer."

Among the SpeedLab offerings, consumers will find the ability to upgrade the performance of their vehicles to up 475 horsepower without violating their factory warranty. Many other components will allow the Racecraft owner to explore further expressions in power, style, and handling to help make their Racecraft an unique expression of their performance personality.

The Value

Value is a key cornerstone of this new brand. This is evident in the sub-$40,000 price point of the 420 horsepower 420S that includes transportation and applicable federal taxes. What's more, the consumer will find many of the offerings from SpeedLab priced at or below $1000.

This type of value will be found in each Racecraft branded vehicle that executives say will begin hitting the market later this year. "There are many customers out there who want to experience extreme performance reasonably priced; we designed the Racecraft brand with this buyer in mind, says McCammon.

More to come

Speculation that Racecraft will replace the Saleen brand is completely false. Racecraft is actually intended as the entry point of the Saleen performance enthusiast. The 420S is just the first offering from the new brand. Saleen executives contend that the brand will follow with more products that fit. "Consumers should expect to see the next Racecraft model as early as the fall", said Product Planning Director, Julie Zona. The Racecraft 420S provides the power enthusiasts require behind the wheel and the control needed for unyielding performance.

RaceCraft 420S Mustang features:

· Racecraft 4.6L SOHC Supercharged V-8
· Horsepower: 420 @ 5800 RPM
· Torque: 400 ft.-lbs. @ 4000 RPM
· 39 lb. fuel injectors
· 98 mm mass airflow sensor
· hi-flow inlet tube and air box cover
· Performance air filter
· Racecraft specific rate front and rear coil springs
· Racecraft front struts (N2)
· Racecraft rear shocks (N2)
· Racecraft front sway bar and pivot bushings
· Bridgestone Potenza All-Season Performance Radial Tires
· 18"x9" Front and 18"x10" Rear Aluminum Alloy 'Torque Blade' wheels
· Racecraft exterior badging
· Racecraft logo side rocker graphics
· Racecraft '420S' performance vinyl hood graphics
· Racecraft rear decklid graphics
· Racecraft 180 MPH silver faced speedometer with MyColor feature
· Satin aluminum instrument panel upgrade
· Racecraft steering wheel badge
· Leather-wrapped steering wheel
· Leather wrapped billet aluminum shift ****
· Leather shift boot
· Performance cloth seats with Racecraft embroidered headrest
· $38,995 MSRP