Could the Saleen FourSixteen be the Next Great Pony Car?

Clint Simone is a young writer who really wants to be an automotive journalist. We’ve decided to publish

some of his work, because we like it. Should we keep him around? 

You meet me here, at the crossroad of “what and why?” Any car enthusiast will tell you that big muscle cars are the bread and butter of any fun day on the road. They are fast, loud, fun and amongst many other things, special. For decades now, we have seen muscle cars thrive in many different markets, The US market being the biggest of the bunch. Not only have there been countless examples of manufacturer muscle cars but also some great stuff coming from our friends in the tuner garages. Names like Hennessey, Brabus and of course, Saleen all come to mind.

Steve Saleen and his team of automotive fiddlers have produced many examples of muscle car excellence. Mustangs, Chargers, Camaros and many others have all received the Saleen touch. To be honest, his recipe is quite simple: take what is good and make it better and faster. Seems easy enough, right? Despite some up and down years as of late, Saleen has managed to keep the garage door up and has a steady stake in the world of tuning muscle cars. However, with companies like Hennessey focusing their attention on ludacris, attention-getting projects like the Venom GT, Saleen had no choice but to focus his attention on something a bit more…electrifying. Enter the Tesla Model S.

When Tesla initially launched the Model S several years ago, people were shocked (literally and figuratively). The company, headed by the always-ambitious Elon Musk, didn’t take long to prove that the EV did have a fighting chance in the automotive world. The car racked up awards left and right, which eventually lead to overwhelming orders for the California company. Markets both native and foreign all took the idea of Tesla’s ultra-futuristic Model S. All in all, people raved about Tesla and the message spread quickly and broadly.

Naturally, it was only a matter of time before a tuner decided to get their hands on the precious Model S. Just recently during Pebble Beach Week, Saleen unveiled the Four-Sixteen, their tuned take on the electric Tesla. Without exception, the car stirred up the scene at Pebble Beach and had people considering the future. Flash forward a few months later to present day, the Four-Sixteen project is now a bit more transparent. Just like in the projects of the past, Saleen stuck to the good ole tuner mantra: take what is good, and make it better and faster.

The company wasted no time shedding huge amounts of weight by adding carbon ceramic brakes, lighter radiators, and different minor tweaks throughout. Saleen also went after the suspension and the entire aerodynamic setup of the car. Overall, the result is indeed dramatic both cosmetic wise and performance wise. Although official numbers have yet to be released, the electric pony car is likely to improve upon the Model S’ already impressive performance numbers. However, as good as this may sound, there is a bit of elephant in the room.

As you read through the various improvements Saleen added to the car, you likely noticed that there was never a mention of engine tweaking. Yes, we are all aware that there is not an actual engine in the car, but nevertheless, the tuner decided to forego battery modifications altogether. In fact, the only notable power plant adjustment is an “unmistakable” whine that spools up as the car accelerates. As satisfied as Saleen is about this final product, I can only speculate that the seemed to tip toe right around the core of the process.

Let’s face it; electric cars are still a bit scary to us as consumers. We don’t really know how they work and even those that do are still a bit leery to consider the technology up to par. Yes, Tesla has undoubtedly made the biggest leaps toward ending “range anxiety,” but there are still issues embedded within the Model S’ sub-400 mile range. Now, add in the desire to treat the car like a muscle-bread monster and the problem is only likely to worsen.

This dilemma leads me to my last point, which is when I ask, “what is the point?” The primary purpose of a Tesla is to silently glide throughout the streets, knowing all along that you are looking pretty cool while doing it. The car is designed to seamlessly integrate technology, comfort, and technology all while adhering to the design of an electric car. Saleen’s questionably styled version of the Model S somewhat takes away that purpose all together. Should an electric sedan’s first priority be canyon runs or sleek city efficiency? There might just not be a market for someone wanting an electric car that has the qualities of a V8 muscle car. Whether or not this market ever develops is something that only time will tell.

What we are left with is a lot potential, mixed together with equal amounts of uncertainty. Is Saleen blazing the trail to the electric muscle cars of the future? Or will the words muscle and car never be used again in the same context, as the V8’s of present day slowly begin to die out? Tesla themselves have yet to recognize the Saleen tuner car as forward progress. The Model S has shown us that a good electric car is indeed possible. But has the Four-Sixteen shown us that muscle cars can march onward being plugged into outlets? Well, let’s just say that the future of muscle tuner cars is only in the first of many potential chapters.