The iconic Ford Mustang will have a major new redesign in 2015, and master customizer Steve Saleen will once again take a crack at customizing the popular vehicle. The 2015 Saleen Mustang, called the Saleen 302 after the legendary Ford 302 engine that powered the Boss 302 Mustangs in 1969 and 1970, will be the first Saleen customized Mustang since 2005. In 2003, Steve Saleen sold his customizing business and stepped away from the craft. But with a new Mustang redesign on the near horizon, Saleen is back with a new company and a new car.
With this model being the first major Mustang redesign since 2005, we took this as an opportunity to push the limits in both design and performance,” Steve Saleen’s new company, Saleen Automotive, said in a statement. “We feel this latest Saleen Mustang model is perfectly positioned as the next American exotic, campaigning on the world stage.
As for what exactly is under the hood of the new Saleen Mustang, that’s still a secret. Motor Trend has some educated guesses based on the history of Saleen, and the name of the new ride.
We can guess based on the name that the car will be powered by the Mustang GT’s 5.0-liter V-8, which receives upgrades for 2015, though official output numbers have yet to be announced. Whatever the stock 2015 Mustang GT makes, expect the Saleen 302 to make more. The 5.0-liter V-8 in Saleen’s limited-production George Follmer Edition Mustang was tuned to 470 hp, up 50 hp from the outgoing GT model.
Ford originally announced the new 2015 Mustang model in December of 2013, and the car was featured in the Aaron Paul film, Need For Speed , that was based off the popular racing game from Electronic Arts in March of this year. Need For Speed also featured the last Ford Mustang model that another famous customizer, Carroll Shelby, worked on before his death in 2012. In fact, that car, the Shelby Mustang GT500, is used as a plot point in the film.
Customizers have historically taken to American muscle cars such as the Ford Mustang and the Chevy Camaro for inspiration. Shelby and Saleen, as well as Jack Roush , are are well known within the auto industry and by gear heads and fans alike. In fact, who makes the better custom has been the subject of intense debate by fans for years.
The new Saleen 302 Mustang is coming soon and according to Car and Driver , customers can start placing their orders for the newly customized Mustang as of today.
[Image Courtesy of Car and Driver ]