2008-08-08
SMS 570 Challenger and SMS 570X Challenger
See the official press release from Saleen
here.
May 12, 2008 - 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 570 Challenger and SMS 570X 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 570 Challenger and SMS 570X 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 vehicle".
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".