PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Known for supercars like the Ford GT40 and a series of souped-up muscle cars, Steve Saleen is a top customizer who has taken on a new challenge: add more beauty and performance to Tesla's electric luxury sedan.
Saleen was showing off the result here Sunday at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the Model S that has been given the full treatment. With the breakthrough electric car gaining acceptance among the wealthy, Saleen is one of the first big names to show the potential of personalizing the car's looks and performance.
Yet, given all Saleen could have done, his version of the Model S remains understated. "It's the little nuances that make all the difference," said Saleen as a crowd gathered around the car.
When it comes to exterior looks, The Saleen Foursixteen has a new creased hood, front- and rear-end treatments, side skirting and a spoiler. Inside, new stitched leather seats, dash and wheel cover have been added, along with a center console and a cupholder. Saleen added 22-inch wheels, an inch larger than a Tesla's optional 21-inch wheels.
Saleen has also given the car a performance upgrade. The car's transmission has been regeared for quicker acceleration. A new differential can give more traction. And the stability software was changed to help the car stay flat in the turns. He estimates the car is now up to three-tenths of a second faster going zero to 60 mph.
Battery range, however, is unaffected, Saleen says. He believe his changes improve the car's aerodynamics, including underneath where he has added vanes to help channel air along the car's smooth bottom.
For the most part, Saleen says he worked to take a good car and make it better. There's a lot he didn't do, like try to turn up the horsepower or fool around with the car's electric drivetrain. Having spent a career working with gas-powered cars, he says he came away with a respect for what Tesla is trying to accomplish.
"The Tesla is a game-changing car. It is taking every conception about electric cars and rewriting the rule book."
He says the Saleen version of the Tesla will start at $152,000 and run upward of $175,000. A stock Tesla with its least powerful battery starts at about $80,000. He is also offering 12 custom colors, like Orange County Orange and Plum Insane.
Source : http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/08/17/steve-saleen-tesla-model-s/14196127/
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