The S7 Competition was a variant of the Twin Turbo model that had increased power boost, producing 1000 bhp which was 33% more than the standardTwin Turbo. Only very few of the models were upgraded in this way and Saleen also modified the suspension and aerodynamics to keep pace with the power.
The press car was painted Beryllium Orange and was handed over a few journalists to test the car which reported 0-60 times as fast as 2.6 seconds. Later this car was used in the for movie Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr.
A top Canadian client took his car back to Saleen after having difficulties with the engine. At that time, both parties agreed to take the adventurous move and crank up the turbo boost past the normal level. To further distinguish it, an FIA-spec wing was added to the rear and the competition script was added to the rear bumper. This was the first time Saleen named the 1000 bhp package, but wasn’t the first 1000 bhp car.
The Barrett-Jackson Car
image: http://www.supercars.net/carpics/3573/2006_Saleen_S7TwinTurboCompetition2_small.jpg
At the 2009 Barrett-Jackson Auction in Arizona, they auctioned another 1000 bhp car for $412,500 USD. It was described as follows:”This vehicle is 1 of only less than 100 Saleen S7 mid-engine supercars ever produced and a 1 of 1 with the 1000hp engine upgrade. Its power will leave you breathless. The hand-built engine on this Saleen Press Car is an all-aluminum 7.0 Liter Twin-Turbo V8 with a 6-speed manual transmission. The chassis is also hand-built with a custom frame, all carbon fiber body and aircraft honeycomb structural reinforcement. The race-style cockpit features handcrafted black leather with sueded accents, orange stitching and instrument panel positioning designed to optimize high performance driving. Air conditioning, power windows, power doors and AM/FM/CD/DVD with retractable 7″ in-dash LCD screen are also included. This S7 was featured in the blockbuster hit, “Iron Man” in Tony Stark’s workshop and lab. It was also in the movie “Redline”. “Power in the Hands of a Few” is Saleen’s slogan and this vehicle is the embodiment of that slogan. The downforce is equal to the weight of the car at 160 mph. It has a 250 mph top speed and does 0-60 in 2.6 seconds.”
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| built at | California, USA |
| price $ | $ 555,000 |
| engine | Twin Turbo All Aluminum V8 w/Dry Sump Lubrication |
| aspiration | Twin Garrett GT35R Turbos |
| valvetrain | Pushrod Driven, 2 Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | Fuel Injection |
| displacement | 6991 cc / 426.6 in³ |
| bore | 104.6 mm / 4.12 in |
| stroke | 101.6 mm / 4.0 in |
| compression | 10.8:1 |
| power | 745.7 kw / 1000 bhp |
| specific output | 143.04 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 747.38 bhp per tonne |
| redline | 6500 |
| body / frame | Carbon Riber-Reinforced w/Plastic and Aluminum Honeycomb over Steel Space Frame |
| driven wheels | RWD w/Limited Slip Differential |
| wheel type | Forged Aluminum |
| front tires | 275/35ZR-19 100Y |
| rear tires | 335/30ZR-20 104Y Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 |
| front brakes | Brembro Ventilated Discs w/6-Piston Monobloc Calipers |
| rear brakes | Brembro Ventilated Discs w/6-Piston Monobloc Calipers |
| front wheels | F 48.3 x 24.1 cm / 19 x 9.5 in |
| rear wheels | R 50.8 x 30.5 cm / 20 x 12 in |
| steering | Rack & Pinion w/Power Assist Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 |
| f suspension | Unequal Double Wishbones w/Coil-OverAluminum Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar |
| r suspension | Unequal Double Wishbones w/Coil-OverAluminum Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar |
| curb weight | 1338 kg / 2950 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2700 mm / 106.3 in |
| front track | 1748 mm / 68.8 in |
| rear track | 1710 mm / 67.3 in |
| length | 4774 mm / 188.0 in |
| width | 1990 mm / 78.3 in |
| height | 1041 mm / 41.0 in |
| transmission | 6-Speed Transaxle |
| gear ratios | 2.86:1, 1.61:1, 1.14:1, 0.96:1, 0.81:1, 0.64:1 |
| final drive | 3.70:1 |
| top speed | ~399.1 kph / 248 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~2.6 seconds |
2005 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo 1S9SB18125S000056 – sold for $682,000
The Saleen factory press vehicle. One of only two competition packaged-equipped S7s to produce 1,000 horsepower. The only example finished in this color combination. Seen in the feature films Iron Man and Redline. The ultimate American-made supercar. Auction Source: RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2015
2005 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo Competition Package 1S9SB18125S000056 – sold for $297,000
After its press duties were completed, this S7 was loaned to Paramount Pictures for the production of the 2008 blockbuster hit Iron Man, starring Robert Downey Jr. as the alter ego of the famed Marvel superhero Tony Stark. In the movie, the unmistakable Saleen can be seen in Stark’s garage alongside a Tesla and an Audi R8.
Finished in a sensational color known as Beryllium Orange, the exotic looks of the S7 are in keeping with its remarkable performance and innovative construction. Overall, the Saleen remains an outstanding, low-mileage example with a clean CARFAX® report.
Auction Source: 2011 Scottsdale Auction by Gooding & Company
Keyword: 2006 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo Competition