2018 Saleen S1 unveiled in China
The Saleen S1, the company’s first unique model since the S7 went out of production in 2009, has been revealed in China.
The S1 is a mid-engine rear-wheel drive sports coupe powered by the turbocharged 2.3-litre Ford EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. Tuned to develop 336kW of power and 577Nm of torque, the S1 is said to have a top speed of 290km/h.
Underpinnings for the S1 are said to be derived from the Artega GT. According to Motor Authority, Saleen purchased the production rights to this platform from the now defunct German sports car maker.
Charles Wang, CEO of Jiangu Saleen, Saleen’s joint venture partner in China, revealed to China Daily the S1 will have its American debut at the Los Angeles motor show at the end of the month.
This will be followed in 2018 with the launch of an electric S1.
The S1 will be made in China at a new factory in Rugao, a city in Jiangsu province, just north of Shanghai. Currently under construction, the new factory is said to have a price tag of around six billion yuan ($1.2 billion), and a maximum output of 150,000 cars per annum.
Wang isn’t expecting to make or sell 150,000 coupes a year, though. Instead, he envisions a range similar to Porsche’s, with sports models providing a halo for the brand, but the majority of the production being dedicated to “all sorts of passenger cars including sedans, SUVs and crossovers”.
Jiangsu Saleen is also looking to produce electric cars on behalf of other startup car makers.
Production of the S1 is expected to begin in some time in 2018, with the factory due to be completed by June 2018. The new S1 will be sold in both China and the USA.
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