Saleen’s long-awaited S1 is moving from auto-show promise to order books.
The mid-engined coupe first appeared at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, and it now arrives with a clear performance brief, a carbon fibre body and a starting price of $160,000.
For buyers who still want a compact, analogue-leaning sports car with American roots, this is one of the more intriguing new names to watch.
At a glance
- Saleen Automotive has opened pre-bookings for the S1 mid-engined sports car in 2026.
- The S1 pairs a carbon fibre body with a Saleen-designed 2.5-litre four-cylinder producing 450 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque.
- Prices start at $160,000, with production planned at Saleen’s Corona facility in California.
A compact Saleen with a serious performance brief
The S1 is a two-door coupe with its engine mounted behind the cabin, giving Saleen a more focused platform than the front-engined muscle-car work that helped define the brand for many enthusiasts.
Its proportions are low, wide and purposeful, with a broad nose, a hood scoop, rear-fender intakes and an integrated rear spoiler.
Under the skin, the car uses an aluminium chassis wrapped in carbon fibre bodywork, helping keep weight to a listed 2,685 lb.
That figure matters because the S1 isn’t chasing performance through engine size alone.
Saleen’s four-cylinder takes centre stage
Power comes from a Saleen-designed 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine rated at 450 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque.
Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual gearbox and a paddle-shifter automatic, a useful split between drivers who want full mechanical involvement and those who prefer quicker shift control.
Saleen claims the S1 can run from 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 171 mph.
The chassis package includes independent wishbone suspension, while the car rides on 20-inch wheels with Continental tyres measuring 255/30/ZR20 at the front and 335/25/ZR20 at the rear.
California production and the unanswered delivery question
The S1 is planned for production at Saleen’s facility in Corona, California.
Saleen has outlined a first-year production plan of 1,500 units, which gives the car more ambition than a tiny-batch exotic without pushing it into mass-market territory.
What remains unclear is when the first customer cars will be delivered.
That timing will matter, particularly for buyers who have followed the project since its Los Angeles debut and want to see the S1 transition into real-world customer use.
Details & Specifications
| Brand | Saleen Automotive |
|---|---|
| Model | S1 |
| Body style | Two-door mid-engined coupe |
| Chassis | Aluminium |
| Body | Carbon fibre |
| Weight | 2,685 lb |
| Engine | Saleen-designed 2.5-litre four-cylinder |
| Power | 450 hp |
| Torque | 425 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual or paddle-shifter automatic |
| 0-60 mph | Claimed 3.2 seconds |
| Top speed | Claimed 171 mph |
| Suspension | Independent wishbone |
| Wheels | 20-inch rims |
| Tyres | Continental 255/30/ZR20 front and 335/25/ZR20 rear |
| Production | 1,500 units planned for the first year |
| Build location | Corona, California |
| Price | From $160,000 |
| Availability | Pre-bookings open in 2026 |
The Saleen S1 has taken a long road to this point, but the formula is easy to understand now that pre-bookings are open.
Light weight, mid-engined balance, a choice of manual or automatic shifting and California production give it a distinct identity in a sports-car market that increasingly leans on electrification and complexity.
