The S7 Competition was a variant of the Twin Turbo model that had increased power boost, producing 1000 bhp which was 33% more than the standardTwin Turbo. Only very few of the models were upgraded in this way and Saleen also modified the suspension and aerodynamics to keep pace with the power.

The press car was painted Beryllium Orange and was handed over a few journalists to test the car which reported 0-60 times as fast as 2.6 seconds. Later this car was used in the for movie Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr.

A top Canadian client took his car back to Saleen after having difficulties with the engine. At that time, both parties agreed to take the adventurous move and crank up the turbo boost past the normal level. To further distinguish it, an FIA-spec wing was added to the rear and the competition script was added to the rear bumper. This was the first time Saleen named the 1000 bhp package, but wasn’t the first 1000 bhp car.

The Barrett-Jackson Car

image: http://www.supercars.net/carpics/3573/2006_Saleen_S7TwinTurboCompetition2_small.jpg

At the 2009 Barrett-Jackson Auction in Arizona, they auctioned another 1000 bhp car for $412,500 USD. It was described as follows:”This vehicle is 1 of only less than 100 Saleen S7 mid-engine supercars ever produced and a 1 of 1 with the 1000hp engine upgrade. Its power will leave you breathless. The hand-built engine on this Saleen Press Car is an all-aluminum 7.0 Liter Twin-Turbo V8 with a 6-speed manual transmission. The chassis is also hand-built with a custom frame, all carbon fiber body and aircraft honeycomb structural reinforcement. The race-style cockpit features handcrafted black leather with sueded accents, orange stitching and instrument panel positioning designed to optimize high performance driving. Air conditioning, power windows, power doors and AM/FM/CD/DVD with retractable 7″ in-dash LCD screen are also included. This S7 was featured in the blockbuster hit, “Iron Man” in Tony Stark’s workshop and lab. It was also in the movie “Redline”. “Power in the Hands of a Few” is Saleen’s slogan and this vehicle is the embodiment of that slogan. The downforce is equal to the weight of the car at 160 mph. It has a 250 mph top speed and does 0-60 in 2.6 seconds.”