Every Saleen vehicle is manufactured in compliance with industry standard governmental guidelines, ensuring safety, emissions compliance, quality control and warranty security, and is assigned its own VIN number to assure authenticity.

Saleen manufacturers the fabled S7 Supercar, as well as the S281 Supercharged, S281 Extreme, S281 3 Valve and the Saleen/Parnelli Jones Limited Edition Mustangs. It also builds the N20 Focus and S331 F150 Sport Truck. Additionally, the company produces and markets a broad line of performance parts and offers design, engineering and certification services.

I had a recent opportunity for a weeklong test-drive of the Saleen S281 Supercharged Mustang, thanks to John Hern, owner of the Poulsbo-based Courtesy Auto Group, one of only four Saleen dealers in the state. There are none in Seattle, Bellevue or Spokane.

Steve Saleen began his racing career autocrossing, rapidly moved into the SCCA pro series, then onto Indy car racing. He used his business degree from USC, coupled with experience in his father’s manufacturing business and his passion for racing, to build his company.

The first Saleen street car, a limited edition model which boasted special aerodynamics, a highly functional cockpit and a precise handling package, was sold in 1984. Showcasing the car’s performance, the company’s racing team was victorious at the 24-hour race at Mosport Park in Ontario, Canada, winning for Saleen, Ford and sponsor General Tire.

In 2003 Ford assembled a team of performance engineering experts with the knowledge to get things done, and the ability to deliver, while operating outside the established Ford system, to build a low-volume supercar, the Ford GT. Ford chose Saleen, Inc. as one of its key partners.

Many of the processes employed by Saleen to manufacture its own vehicles are utilized for the paint and vehicle assembly responsibilities the company assumed with the Ford GT, which is built at Saleen’s 200,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Troy, Michigan. The facility houses Saleen’s highly efficient assembly line, along with a group of immensely creative and specialized designers, engineers and fabricators capable of producing one-off show cars such as the critically acclaimed 2005 Ford Mustang GT-R.

Walkaround: At a glance, the Saleen S281 Supercharged Mustang looks like any other Mustang — except for the Saleen name emblazoned across the top of the windshield. Then you notice the specially designed, heat ventilation hood, and the injection-molded TPO front fascia, which integrates the black Saleen grille, optional high intensity headlamps and serialized bumper number (our test vehicle was number 225).

You become aware of the Saleen-designed rear spoiler and end caps, as well as the side skirts and door cladding, leading your eye to flared rear wheel wells and quarter window. Then you spot the special Saleen graphics and badging.

The entire package rides on Pirelli P275/35ZR20 high performance radials wrapped around Saleen 20-inch, seven-spoke alloy wheels.

Of the 11 standard color combinations offered, our test S281 was Torch Red Clearcoat highlighted with silver graphics and wheels. There are a number of factory upgrades offered of both base color and trim to personalize your Saleen.

There’s also an optional high quality, tinted and tempered glass roof that’s been tested to meet all federal safety requirements available.

Interior: Opening the door, you’re greeted by Saleen doorsill plates. You sit in comfortable, form fitting Saleen-designed and badged leather sport seats with louvered headrests. The driver’s seat is a six-way, power adjustable model with power lumbar support.

Under your feet, sit performance-driving pedals with a driver foot brace and S281 custom floor mats.

Instrumentation includes an optional, specially designed; black-faced six-gauge instrument cluster showcasing the standard 200 mph speedometer and high-rev tach, along with gauges for boost, air temperature, and of course fuel. There’s a specially badged steering wheel, a Saleen close-ratio shifter operated via a billet aluminum stalk topped with a leather-wrapped shift knob, and don’t forget the Saleen serialized dash plaque.

Finishing off the interior trim are Saleen-designed chrome-tipped dash vents and bezels. All the expected power items are standard — auto up and down windows, mirrors, door locks with a Saleen-badged key fob, etc. Sound is courtesy of a standard AM/FM/CD system or an optional, 8-speaker, Shaker 500 system featuring a 6-disc in-dash CD changer with MP3 capability.

Other specialty trim items include a Saleen serialized engine bay plaque, an owners document portfolio and warranty guide, and Saleen “Eagle One” detail kit.

Under The Hood: This is what it’s all about. The S281 Supercharged is powered by a 4.6-liter (281 cu. in.) SOHC V8 that puts 435 impatient ponies to the pavement at 5,800 rpm, with 425 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. But it’s Saleen’s innovative, patented, Series VI Integrated TwinScrew Supercharger, featuring a two-stage water-to-air intercooler system that’s the heart and soul of this car.

The engine is mated to a standard quick-ratio 5-speed stick, or an optional 5-speed, electronically controlled automatic. But why anyone would order an automatic with this car escapes me. The drivetrain is completed with Saleen’s MaxGrip, speed-sensitive limited slip differential.

Behind The Wheel: Oh yeah… With a curb weight of 3,550 pounds, and this much horsepower, the Saleen is a true muscle car in every aspect. I couldn’t find any published 0-60 specs, but my personal experience was somewhere in the 4.1 – 4.5 second area.

Although this isn’t a sports car and doesn’t necessarily drive like one, handling was sure and confident at all speeds, thanks to its 53/47 front-rear weight distribution, and Saleen’s Racecraft system, which includes N2 front struts and N2 rear shocks, standard. It offers direct-acting, linear-rate coil springs, and stabilizer (anti-roll) bars front and rear, specially calibrated suspension settings, and urethane pivot bushings.

The excellent braking is courtesy of huge 4-wheel disks.

Whines: Interior noise level is a little high, but nothing unbearable — especially when compared to what I view as one of its main competitors — the Dodge Viper.

Bottom Line: The Saleen S281 Supercharged delivers serious horsepower and torque, along with a road-hugging suspension and better than expected comfort. Comparing the Saleen to the Viper, which I got to drive almost back-to-back, it’s as good or better in straight-line acceleration and braking, but far outclasses the Viper in comfort, handling, safety and resale value. Both cars are all about absolute raw horsepower. The Saleen is just much more civilized about it.