shivers

Saleen seems to think it's a good idea.



From hot-rodded Mustangs to the S7 supercar, Steve Saleen made a name wringing horsepower out of eight-cylinder Ford engines. His eponymous firm’s latest creation, though, is something different. And after a lengthy gestation, the Saleen FourSixteen, a modified Tesla Model S, has finally made its debut at Pebble Beach.

The car’s quoted output of 416 horsepower remains unchanged from the Model S P85 it’s based upon, but Saleen’s tuned EV isn’t just spoilers and stickers. Adjustable monotube-damper packages are available, as are carbon-ceramic brakes (which Saleen says will trim 18 pounds per corner compared with the factory steel stoppers) behind either 21- or 22-inch specialty wheels.

The biggest difference is in the transmission, where the stock 9.73:1-ratio gets swapped for an 11.39:1 alternative with new straight-cut gears.

“With that gearbox, it sounds like something that should be screaming down Mulsanne straight,” Saleen grins.

Outside, the bumpers and rockers are redesigned, a trunk spoiler is added, and the hood, front splitter, and rear diffuser are all composite pieces. Thanks to the revised aero, cooling, the new transmission, and lowered suspension, Saleen expects the FourSixteen to offer performance that’s “approaching 20 percent better” than the Model S, all while also improving slightly on the stock 265-mile electric range.

“This isn’t a fad. It’s a trend,” Saleen says. “Tesla has proven that this changes your whole driving perspective. It’s green, it’s fun to drive, it’s practical . . . it does everything better than a gasoline counterpart.”

Of course, the FourSixteen project wasn’t cheap, and its price reflects that—at $152,000, Saleen expects his latest project to compete with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG.

Full article and pics - HERE

WarmMilk

iTrader: (1)

if I was rich I'd do the brakes, and suspension pending a test drive

then again, I doubt I'd have a Tesla even if I was rich...

Robevo RS

iTrader: (16)

i am really into electric cars, this Citroen looks awesome. And the driver also give a good feedback on the driving too. (race driver)

i8acobra

I currently own a '15 Leaf and just test drove a P85D. If I had $125k, I'd buy one yesterday. 0-60 in 3.2 seconds. I'm just waiting for a tuner to come out with software that allows for faster battery discharge for more power and faster acceleration.

mrfred

iTrader: (50)

interesting to ponder how moddable production ev's will be. a higher voltage battery would seem to be very expensive. motor swaps seem more reasonable in terms of price. anything to add power might require upgrading the electric power transmission electronics as well as cooling system upgrades. makes me think that inexpensive power adders may be unrealistic for an ev. an ecu flash might be the only affordable mod.

nemsin

iTrader: (19)

IMO you shouldn't call it modding if the hp remains stock. Its like calling the addition of spiny rims "modding"

LetsGetThisDone

iTrader: (1)

I feel like race suspension and race brakes can for sure be considered modding..

Robevo RS

iTrader: (16)

actually rims in a realty is a modding. lighter wider wheels with a proper tires does bump you to another group in racing , and for a good reason. HP is just one part of the modding , and modding has sooo many parts.
Even weight reduction belongs there...

nemsin

iTrader: (19)

Except for the fact that they added either 21 or 22 inch wheels. Any guess how much those weigh?

WestSideBilly

iTrader: (1)

If it's anything like Saleen's past efforts, probably a ton.

Robevo RS

iTrader: (16)

http://wot.motortrend.com/1501_tesla...50202_39795367

Robevo RS

iTrader: (16)

some power demonstration from Tesla in Japan

hoobastnk90

Thank thing looks like it ways a lot trying to get sideways lol

mikeschmeee

I love the Tesla but I wouldn't mod it. I would keep it as is

Robevo RS

iTrader: (16)

so in 1 minute in this future video game maybe the new Mitsubishi AWD weapon appears?