2018 Saleen Sport Truck Slated for November Return
Saleen Automotive is getting back into the truck game with another pavement-scorching, high-performance F-150.
It’s been quite a few years — 10, to be exact =– since Saleen Automotive filled the performance void left by the F-150 Lightning’s premature departure. Like the high performance two wheel drive trucks before it, however, the Saleen S331 wasn’t long for this world either. Ford has since moved on to building off-road performers like the F-150 Raptor. But the aftermarket tuner is once again hedging its bets on RWD by bringing back the Saleen Sports Truck for 2018.
Steve Saleen himself revealed renderings and details surrounding the rebirth of the Saleen Sports Truck via a recent Facebook Live video at the company’s headquarters. And you’ll be happy to know that it retains the spirit of the stunning S331. Anyone familiar with that performance icon will immediately recognize the 2018 Saleen Sports Truck as a Saleen, with nothing more than a fleeting glance.
A familiar white color scheme graces the modified F-150’s flanks, which have been enhanced with a variety of body mods. They include goodies like a body kit, brake-cooling ducts, modified rear valance, functional air dam, bulging hood, and modified grille. Saleen-scripted blacked out tailgate trim and multi-spoke wheels also pay homage to the company’s original F-150 build.
The S331 was offered with either a slightly upgraded, 325 hp 5.4 liter V8 or a smoking hot, twin-screw supercharged version producing a healthy 450 hp. Things have obviously changed, however, and the new Saleen Sport Truck will be offered with four different power levels. Engine options this time around run the gauntlet from the 2.7 Ecoboost and the naturally aspired 3.6 liter V6 to the familiar 5.0 liter V8.
Back in its day, the S331 was just as much a prominent handler as a straight line burner. And the 2018 Saleen Sports Truck promises to carry on that tradition with an optional Racecraft suspension and big brake kit. Sticky General Tire rubber at all four corners promises to keep the big truck glued to the road. And the best part? You only have to wait until November to buy one.
“We are excited to have returned to our heritage with a high-performance Saleen Sport Truck that fits perfectly within our program for a full line of high performance vehicles carrying the Saleen brand,” Steve Saleen said. “Our Sport Truck heritage includes many race wins as well as a national championship.
‘The time is right that we return to the market with a product that feeds an audience of hungry Saleen Truck enthusiasts.’
“In the past, our Saleen S331 Sport Trucks and the extremely popular Ford Harley Davidson F-150 SC were produced at the Saleen Automotive factory. The time is right that we return to the market with a product that feeds an audience of hungry Saleen Truck enthusiasts.”
With the return of the Saleen tuned F-150 and a new, dealer-built Lightning, it seems like we’re on the cusp of a rear wheel drive performance truck renaissance. A renaissance nearly a decade in the making.
