Trim Levels: base
MSRP range: $395,000

Notes: Steve Saleen made his fortunes tuning Mustangs before turning to the development of a race car and an accompanying street-legal version. The fruit of this effort was the S7, an authentic American supercar. Its gestation was long and methodical, but it finally made its debut as a 2003 model. Unlike the infamous Vector, the Saleen had the credentials to back up its claims, with brand cachet and extensive experience. Powered by a Saleen-designed massive pushrod V8, the S7 could break 200 miles per hour. When tested by Road and Track, it reached 60mph in just 3.3sec., the fastest production automobile they had ever tested (including a McLaren F1) until the 2004 Bugatti Veyron. A notable omission on the S7 was modern safety systems: no traction control, no stability control, not even power brakes. This accentuated the Saleen's racecar pedigree. No airbags were fitted; a honeycombed aluminium safety structure protected the driver and passenger. The S7's interior was swathed in leather, and air conditioning and a 6-disc CD changer were provided, the only concession to creature comfort in this no-holds-barred supercar. The seats were measured according to each driver, and fixed in the cabin, only the pedals being adjustable. Two tiny trunks were provided fore and aft, and a camera was added to aid in reversing maneuvers. Well executed and breathtaking, the S7 was the quintessential American response to the supercar phenomenon: raw muscle, no concessions, no mercy. Fully 64 gills marked its exterior.

Series: 2003-current

PERFORMANCE