SMS to tune Challenger, SMS 570TM and 570XTM on the way

[GMusa]

www.autoblog.com

SMS to tune Challenger, SMS 570TM and 570XTM on the way

Posted May 12th 2008 5:23PM by Damon Lavrinc
Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Coupes, Dodge, Saleen


SMS, Steve Saleen's new tuning company, will be producing its own Signature Series versions of the Dodge Challenger. The release from SMS (after the jump) doesn't divulge much, but two versions will be available, the SMS 570TM and SMS 570XTM, based on the Challenger R/T. Both models will benefit from blowers heaving compressed air into the 5.7-liter HEMI V8, with the 570TM producing 500 hp and the 570XTM cracking the 700 hp barrier. Along with the supercharged bent-eight, the SMS-massaged Challengers will get upgraded drivetrain and suspension components, aerodynamic body parts, wheels, tires and interior bits. Mr. Saleen will sign the limited run of Challengers and naturally, interested parties are advised to act fast since SMS will be taking orders on a first-come, first-served basis.

UPDATE: Press release and artist impression added. Thanks Phil!

Gallery: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T and SE


[Source: SMS via Allpar]

PRESS RELEASE

May 12, 2008 - Orange County, California. Steve Saleen and his new company SMS are pleased to introduce the first product in his line of Signature Series ultra-high performance vehicles, the SMS 570TM Challenger and SMS 570XTM Challenger.

As a professional racecar driver and innovative businessman, Mr. Saleen is well known as the founder of a number of Steve Saleen brands including Saleen Autosport, Saleen Productions, Saleen Speedlab, Saleen Performance, Saleen, Inc. and now SMS. In the years of building the many brands, Mr. Saleen oversaw and participated in every aspect of the business, in product development, sales and marketing. Mr. Saleen's latest endeavor will focus on the expansion into the high-end of the diverse American Muscle Car markets.

The fully certified and street legal SMS 570TM Challenger and SMS 570XTM Challenger will be based on the all-new and exciting 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T platform and will feature a SMS Supercharged 5.7L Hemi with respective power ratings from 500 to over 700 horsepower! Both models are fully equipped with a compliment of SMS ultra-high performance components including: drivetrain, suspension, aerodynamics, tires, wheels and interior.

"The horsepower and torque that we are developing from the SMS Supercharged Hemi is phenomenal" explains Billy Tally, SMS Chief Technical Officer, "combined with suspension and braking improvements our SMS Challenger will be an incredibly capable, refined and tractable vehicle".

Each of these limited edition vehicles will be personally signed by Steve Saleen as part of the SMS Signature Series product line complete with unique badges and graphics. Production numbers will be limited per year depending on the model and the opportunity to be one of the few owners is limited to a first-come, first-served basis, so prospective customers need to act now as production is commencing in the fourth quarter of 2008.

"The Dodge Challenger is a great canvas to start with" notes Phil Frank, Chief Creative Officer, "the SMS Challenger will help define our design DNA as we introduce some exciting and functional aesthetic innovations to this already great platform".

"I am drawing upon 25 years of rich experience in the automotive industry to address the rapidly expanding global market of automotive lifestyle vehicles, technical performance parts, accessories and apparel" explains Mr. Saleen "SMS is enabling us to do what could not be done at Saleen, Inc. due to the their heritage with the Ford dealer network and Ford vehicles. We are using this freedom, along with our new technology developed at SMS, to create world-class specialty vehicles."

SMS
SMS Limited is a niche manufacturer of lifestyle ultra-high performance vehicles, technical performance parts, lifestyle accessories and apparel. SMS designs, engineers, tests, certifies, manufactures and assembles all its own products and vehicles.

World Headquarters
The 150,000 square-foot facility in Southern California, is designed for collaboration, efficiency and security. The state-of-the-art-design, development, prototype, machining, testing and composites groups support manufacturing, production, the SMS race team and clients.

[GMusa]

700hp Challenger is crazy!

Its only a matter of time before we see a Saleen Camaro!

I wonder if Roush will get in on this too! They are already rumored to be producing a Roush Silverado (if i didnt miss anything denying a Roush Silverado)

[Sinner]

Originally Posted by GMusa

700hp Challenger is crazy!

Its only a matter of time before we see a Saleen Camaro!

I wonder if Roush will get in on this too! They are already rumored to be producing a Roush Silverado (if i didnt miss anything denying a Roush Silverado)

I sure hope Dodge unlocks the computer or else there'll be a lot of Saleen Challengers with blown engines, no pun intended. You don't see too many high HP Chargers for a reason.

[DuSpinnst]

The NGC4 is hard to crack. All 5.7L Hemi cars use the same Engine Controller the NGC4 (Next Generation Controller 4)

[big swede]

This could be potentially huge news because of the tough to break computer. The computer has held back a lot of growth potential because of how hard they are to tune. All of the Saleens in the past have carried a warranty and if this one is the same it either means they have cracked the computer or Chrysler is finally loosening their grip on the computer controls by filling in Saleen.

That is one thing I like about Ford. They are much more aftermarket friendly and provide cars and computer info to many aftermarket firms before the model is even released. Once the vehicle is released there are tons of aftermarket parts already available.

[DuSpinnst]

The engine controller is I think designed by Siemens VDO (now Continental). It was part of the Huntsville unit.

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by big swede

This could be potentially huge news because of the tough to break computer. The computer has held back a lot of growth potential because of how hard they are to tune. All of the Saleens in the past have carried a warranty and if this one is the same it either means they have cracked the computer or Chrysler is finally loosening their grip on the computer controls by filling in Saleen.

That is one thing I like about Ford. They are much more aftermarket friendly and provide cars and computer info to many aftermarket firms before the model is even released. Once the vehicle is released there are tons of aftermarket parts already available.

Agreed.....hopefully the Camaro isn't as tough of a nut to crack.

I have to wonder though.....can the computer itself be replaced, or does it stay in there no matter what??

If it is a tough nut to crack, perhaps John Hennessey figured out a way around that with his SRT700 Turbo? Like the Saleen, it's offered in several states of tune including 500, 530 and 725HP versions...

[big swede]

Originally Posted by EldoFan

Agreed.....hopefully the Camaro isn't as tough of a nut to crack.

I have to wonder though.....can the computer itself be replaced, or does it stay in there no matter what??

If it is a tough nut to crack, perhaps John Hennessey figured out a way around that with his SRT700 Turbo? Like the Saleen, it's offered in several states of tune including 500, 530 and 725HP versions...

The computer cannot be realistically removed because it controls hundreds of car control items besides those that are engine related. The Camaro computer is probably already figured out as far as engine controls because the LS family uses similiar programs that have been around forever. Besides a ton of Camaro's will be sold so tuners will be all over it. John Hennessey is an A-hole and would never give anyone any information that he has learnd so even if he does know something it wouldn't help anyone else out. Since Saleen will be selling supercharged Challengers with warranties the code is either cracked or was given to them from Chrysler like Ford does for his Mustangs.