Tremendous power and a lightweight honeycomb structure was the route chosen by Steve Saleen in the development of the Saleen S7 supercar. It is a semi-racing car, intended to compete in long-distance sports car races, while being equipped as a road car.
This is a truly exotic supercar, capable of over 200 mph, and accelerate to 60 mph in 4 seconds. With a height of just 41 inches, the S7 is one of the lowest supercars, and has a distinctive appearance, enhanced by the use of gull wing doors.
Saleen is known as a tuner of engines, and builder of modified and highly tuned Mustangs, so the basis of the car is one of their highly modified Ford engines. Going for maximum power, they chose a 7.0-litre pushrod ohv V-8 with an aluminum cylinder block. This unit is the successor to the 7.0 litre V-8 used to power the Ford GT40s to win Le Mans and other races back in the ‘60s.
Saleen designed heads to give 550 bhp
The cylinder heads are produced by Saleen, and among the new features of the engine are a side mounted water pump to reduce length. To reduce weight, the throttle body and intake manifolds are made from magnesium. Saleen quotes a maximum output of 550 bhp at 6,400 rpm, with 520 lb ft torque at 4,000 rpm – quite enough to put this car in the exotic supercar league.
The engine is coupled through a four-plate clutcth of only 5,5 in diameter to a six-speed transaxle.
To ensure that the chassis and suspension were good enough for racing, Saleen turned to Ray Mallock, who has been designing and racing cars for many years in England, to help. Also, the body, designed in the USA, was wind tunnel tested and tweaked at Glasgow University, Scotland.
Space frame with honeycomb composite panels
To gain maximum stiffness with light weight, the structure is based on a space frame which is reinforced by aluminum honeycomb panels. These consist of a honeycomb sandwiched between a pair of aluminum sheets, and are similar to those used on the McLaren F1.
Double wishbone suspension is used at front and rear, and there are massive Brembo brakes – the discs are 15 in diameter at the front, and 14 in at the rear. The car comes with ABS, and is equipped with the things you need on a road car such as air conditioning and power operated windows.
All the body panels are carbon fiber composite, and the body has been designed to obtain a split channel airflow.
The Saleen isn’t just a copy of the best, but combines some interesting innovation with good aerodynamics, a powerful engine and light weight – the car is claimed to weigh just 2,750 lb (1,250 kg). A real flyer!
