Steve Saleen Announces SMS Challenger
First project under his new pinnacle company
By Clinton Deacon
May 13, 2008 10:08 AM
Filed Under: American, Dodge, Tuners
Earlier this year Steve Saleen created yet another brand in his portfolio of companies – SMS Limited, which would act as the pinnacle of all the Saleen brands which include Saleen Autosport, Saleen Productions, Saleen Speedlab, Saleen Performance and Saleen, Inc. Now Saleen has announced details of the first project under the brand in the form of the SMS 570TM Challenger and the SMS 570XTM Challenger based on the Dodge Challenger R/T.
The super tuned models will feature a SMS Supercharged 5.7L Hemi engine with an output of 500 horsepower for the 570TM, and an awesome 700 horspower for the 570XTM. To compliment this, the Challenger will receive a number of high performance upgrades including modifications to the drivetrain, suspension, aerodynamics, tires, wheels and interior.
"The horsepower and torque that we are developing from the SMS Supercharged Hemi is phenomenal, combined with suspension and braking improvements our SMS Challenger will be an incredibly capable, refined and tractable automobile" explains Billy Tally, SMS Chief Technical Officer.
Production numbers are yet to be announced, but each model will be personally signed by Steve Saleen and will feature unique badges and graphics.
Press Release (Click to expand)
Orange County, California. Steve Saleen and his new company SMS are pleased to introduce the first product in his line of Signature Series ultra-high performance vehicles, the SMS 570TM Challenger and SMS 570XTM Challenger.
As a professional racecar driver and innovative businessman, Mr. Saleen is well known as the founder of a number of Steve Saleen brands including Saleen Autosport, Saleen Productions, Saleen Speedlab, Saleen Performance, Saleen, Inc. and now SMS. In the years of building the many brands, Mr. Saleen oversaw and participated in every aspect of the business, in product development, sales and marketing. Mr. Saleen's latest endeavor will focus on the expansion into the high-end of the diverse American Muscle Car markets.
The fully certified and street legal SMS 570TM Challenger and SMS 570XTM Challenger will be based on the all-new and exciting 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T platform and will feature a SMS Supercharged 5.7L Hemi with respective power ratings from 500 to over 700 horsepower! Both models are fully equipped with a compliment of SMS ultra-high performance components including: drivetrain, suspension, aerodynamics, tires, wheels and interior.
"The horsepower and torque that we are developing from the SMS Supercharged Hemi is phenomenal" explains Billy Tally, SMS Chief Technical Officer, "combined with suspension and braking improvements our SMS Challenger will be an incredibly capable, refined and tractable automobile".
Each of these limited edition vehicles will be personally signed by Steve Saleen as part of the SMS Signature Series product line complete with unique badges and graphics. Production numbers will be limited per year depending on the model, and the opportunity to be one of the few owners is limited to a first-come, first-served basis, so prospective customers need to act now as production is commencing in the fourth quarter of 2008.
"The Dodge Challenger is a great canvas to start with" notes Phil Frank, Chief Creative Officer, "the SMS Challenger will help define our design DNA as we introduce some exciting and functional aesthetic innovations to this already great platform".
"I am drawing upon 25 years of rich experience in the automotive industry to address the rapidly expanding global market of automotive lifestyle vehicles, technical performance parts, accessories and apparel" explains Mr. Saleen "SMS is enabling us to do what could not be done at Saleen, Inc. due to the their heritage with the Ford dealer network and Ford vehicles. We are using this freedom, along with our new technology developed at SMS, to create world-class specialty vehicles."
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