Saleen S5S Raptor 'has the potential for reality'

Posted Wed Apr 30 2008 2:43 PM by Nelson Ireson

When it debuted at the New York Auto Shot in March, the S5S Raptor bowled over crowds and press alike with its stunning design. At the time, execs at Saleen hinted that the car was more than just a pipe dream, but the latest word from the company's president makes it look like production is a serious possibility.

The car was designed by David Byron, one of Saleen's younger designers, as the result of an in-house competition. After the basic appearance was decided, the concept was designed around a "feasible business model," said Saleen chief technical officer Chris Theodore in an interview with Automobile. The company hasn't yet decided to build the S5S Raptor, but if it decides to, things could progress very rapidly.

Theodore says a working prototype could be in testing within six months of start-up, with a full production model following in about two years. Saleen needs a production partner to take the first steps toward making the S5S reality, however - a process the company thinks will be difficult, due to technical and manufacturing complications.

A running prototype won't be finished until sometime in 2009 at the earliest if the Raptor does move toward production, however. That would put a production version arriving in 2011, based on the company's timeline.

Saleen S5S Raptor supercar concept

Gallery: Saleen Raptor

Reader Comments

Wed Apr 30 2008 5:14 PM
Renton says

Looks like an older VW supercar design.... I forget which one.
Wed Apr 30 2008 5:33 PM
Gus says

Best looking supercar concept out there right now.
Thu May 1 2008 9:00 AM
Alan says

you mean the VW W12 concept right? i was about to say that too
Thu May 1 2008 12:20 PM
frank says

How can they build this car? Hasn't anyone noticed it is the same size as the Ford GT. That is because they put a new body on a GT chassis. Ford has quit making the GT, so chassis will have to be made and Saleen has no fabricators to do this. They just laid off a bunch more people from Irvine including fabricators and tech guys. There is only 2 engineers left, no S7 guys, leaving 5 people on the floor. Saleen is hurting big.
Mon Jun 2 2008 6:59 PM
J.B. Harrell says

So what if it has the same chasis as the ford gt. That doesn't make it a bad car. And so what if it is the same size as the gt. that doesnt mean anything.

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