Story perspectives

Saleen Opens Reservations for 450-HP S1 Sports Car

By Drooid · Oct 7, 2026, 2:55 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Saleen Automotive opened reservations for its new S1 mid-engine sports car.
The street-legal S1 is priced at $160,000 with a fully refundable $1,000 deposit.
The race-trim version starts at $250,000 and requires a $2,000 refundable reservation.
Saleen’s 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine delivers 450 hp, 425 lb-ft torque, and 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds.
The S1 weighs 2,685 lb, uses an aluminium chassis with carbon-fibre body, and will be built in Corona, California.

History

Historical Context

In 1993, Ferrari launched the F355 mid-engine V8, reviving its road-car performance legacy and setting a benchmark for supercars. The F355 sold 11,273 units worldwide, cost about $150,000, produced 375 hp and accelerated from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Saleen’s newly announced S1 echoes that formula, pricing the street-legal version at $160,000, delivering 450 hp, 425 lb-ft torque, and a carbon-fibre body built in Corona, California. This approach pressures rivals such as McLaren, Lamborghini, Porsche, and Ford to expand mid-engine lineups, accelerating hyper-car price inflation and niche market competition.

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Story summary

Saleen Automotive opened reservations for its new S1 mid-engine sports car.
The street-legal S1 is priced at $160,000 with a fully refundable $1,000 deposit.
The race-trim version starts at $250,000 and requires a $2,000 refundable reservation.
Saleen’s 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine delivers 450 hp, 425 lb-ft torque, and 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds.
The S1 weighs 2,685 lb, uses an aluminium chassis with carbon-fibre body, and will be built in Corona, California.

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