Saleen Tesla Model S to Debut at Pebble this Weekend
Ever since the launch of the Tesla Model S, literally no one has been clamoring to tune it. Seriously no one ever thought, “Hey, let’s take this $100,000 work of art and technology and throw some good old-fashioned tuning at it to make a hot rod!” No one, that is, until Steve Saleen took a gander at it and said, “Sure, we can make it better.”
Steve is famous for flipping regular old Mustangs and turning them up to eleven. My favorite newer-generation Mustang is the Saleen. For reference, my favorite Mustang ever is the Bullitt car, not because of the film, but because of how it’s set up — more road race than drag race.
That single idea, that singular thought turned the entire idea of what a Tesla is supposed to represent, and flipped it on its head. God bless America because even green cars can be hot rodded! Saleen is now ready to show off its version of Frankenstein’s monster at Pebble Beach this weekend, setting aside a space on the lawn to showcase the car.
Little is still known about the tuned Tesla as of right now. All we’ve gotten is a press release from Saleen saying there will be a “comprehensive list of aerodynamic, performance and technological upgrades.” What that means is pretty much anyone’s guess at the moment, but figure horsepower figures will increase, and battery consumption figures will go up as well due to more strain on the motor. We can also tell you the name: the FourSixteen.
Again, it’s anyone’s guess on what the hell that means. The standard P85 Model S already makes 416 horsepower, so I’m guessing that’s not what the name means. We do know that we will have our answers soon.