Car News

We were so duped. Steve Saleen invited us out to his company’s shiny new digs in toasty Corona, California, to show us the new Ford Mustang –based SMS 460, a follow-up to his first effort as a federally recognized OEM, the Challenger-based SMS 570. We sorta expected we’d see a hopped-up Mustang powered by a 4.6-liter V-8 with a few power upgrades and the styling and suspension modifications we’ve come to expect from Saleen

Turns out what he really had in mind was the debut of his new SMS 302, which—you guessed it—is based on the new 2011 Mustang GT with its new 302-cubic-inch (5.0-liter) engine. The SMS 302 remains naturally aspirated but produces “over 440 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque”—improvements of 28 hp and 10 lb-ft—thanks to a new head design, a high-flow exhaust system, an optimized accessory-drive system, and reworked engine calibration. Zero to 60 mph is expected to take just 4.5 seconds with the quarter-mile passing in 13.5 seconds at 116 mph.

Next up will be SMS 302SC, which is basically the same car force-fed by Saleen’s 296 Supercharger system with asymmetric multi-lobe screws, SMS “Six-Pack” intercooler system, and “Duo-Path” induction. SMS claims that horsepower will rise to “over 535 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque.” Manual and automatic six-speed transmissions will be offered. The supercharged version’s 0–60 sprint is said to drop to 4.3 seconds, with quarter-mile stats improving considerably to 12.1 seconds and 119 mph. Considering that we clocked a stock 2011 Mustang GT to 60 in 4.6 seconds and through the quarter in 13.2 at 109 mph, the claims for the naturally aspirated car seem reasonable, if a bit conservative—hopefully SMS’s car can outrun the stocker. But we’re having a hard time wrapping our minds around how the supercharged car’s 100 extra hp could drop the quarter-mile time by 1.4 second and only increase trap speed by 3 mph. Guess we’ll just have to test them.
Both cars will ride on 20-inch front and rear wheels wrapped in Z-rated Pirelli P Zero tires measuring 275/35 in the front and 275/40 in the rear. The body sits snugly atop the rolling stock, thanks to new springs and sway bars front and rear. The rear suspension is an all-new SMS Watt’s-linkage design, according to Saleen. At each corner are cross-drilled brake rotors clamped by powder-coated calipers and high-performance pads.
Hot Bod
We will comment on the merits of the above only once we get ourselves behind the wheel of each. But we can already express our endorsement for the body modifications, which are thorough yet commendably restrained. The front and rear bumpers are arguably the jazziest of the new body bits (the rear bumper even has a Formula 1–style integrated ancillary rain light). The two cars SMS showed us both wore the optional shelf-style rear spoiler that we could take or leave, but as for the rest of the exterior package, from the heat extractors on the hood to the pocket-style rear fascia, we’re down with it. Especially rendered in the crazier of SMS’s color options, which go by such great throwback names as Sour Grape Green, Plum Insane, Pineapple Express Yellow, and Maliblue.
Inside are Alcantara and leather seats with contrasting chevron stripes, a custom leather-wrapped shifter and steering wheel, a 200-mph speedo, and, for supercharged examples, a boost gauge. Finally, each SMS 302 will be personally signed by Steve Saleen himself. Prices for the SMS 302 start at $54,990 (plus about $1,800 for destination/delivery) for coupes, $59,990 for convertibles. Add 10 grand for the supercharged versions of each.
Future SMS Cars
But what of the SMS 460 we had come there to see? Saleen said he is building a limited run of 25 Mustangs based on the 2010 model with a supercharged 4.6-liter V-8. All are spoken for, Saleen said, and once they are completed, SMS will begin building the SMS 302. And by that point, we expect to see an even more formidable Mustang-based SMS 351X—which Saleen promises will be even more powerful than the 302SC—as well as the final member of SMS’s muscle-car trifecta, the Camaro SS–based SMS 620, too.
As for a successor to the sensational Saleen S7? Well, says SMS’s public relations chief Axel Catton, “It’s not called SMS Supercars for nothing.” No further details were provided, but now that we know where SMS Supercars lives, expect us to be snooping around there regularly for clues as to what’s next.