supercar">Saleen is back and making headlines with its audacious plan to introduce a revolutionary hydrogen-fueled supercar, aiming not only to hit the streets but also to dominate the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The small but mighty automotive firm led by the iconic Steve Saleen has entered into a groundbreaking partnership with French engine manufacturer Solution F to use a twin-turbocharged V6 engine capable of running on hydrogen, synthetic fuels, and traditional fuels.
June 14, 2024 at 11:05
by Brad Anderson
- Steve Saleen reveals the new supercar is estimated to be a few years from public release.
- The firm will utilize a twin-turbocharged V6 from Solution F that can run on multiple types of fuel.
- This new model could be seen as the spiritual successor to the revered Saleen 1.
The project isn't just a technical marvel; it's a strategic move that signals Saleen's racing ambitions. Steve Saleen has confirmed that the hydrogen demonstrator will be unveiled by the end of the year, and it is set to participate in the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans. Why Le Mans? Because under the new ACO regulations for hydrogen-powered vehicles, this futuristic beast could very well make history. While the development process is complex, involving rigorous tests and numerous certifications, the intention is clear: to blend high performance with environmental responsibility.
The race towards creating a hydrogen supercar that can stand the test of a 24-hour endurance race is no small feat. "The production car will probably be another couple of years out," Steve Saleen told sources. "We'll have the demo car before the end of this calendar year, but having a production car that someone can purchase and drive every day takes a while due to certification requirements like emissions, crash tests, airbag deployment, and lighting specifications." This ambitious timeline showcases the meticulousness required to usher in a new era in the automotive world.
The hydrogen supercar, still in its nascent stages, will first appear as an experimental car modeled on the existing Foenix H2. "We believe that the long-term solution for transportation will be multi-faceted," said Saleen, emphasizing the potential of hydrogen and synthetic fuels as sustainable alternatives. The firm is confident that these technologies will offer eco-friendliness without compromising performance and the convenience of traditional refueling methods.
Saleen’s commitment to innovation is not something new. Despite a period of relative silence, punctuated only by the occasional tuned Ford Mustang, the brand has always been synonymous with pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering. Saleen's previous attempt to launch a suite of electric vehicles in China faced setbacks after allegations of intellectual property theft. However, the firm's resilience continues to fuel its groundbreaking endeavors.
One can't help but be excited about what this means for the future of automotive engineering. The Saleen-Solution F collaboration not only aims to change our perception of hydrogen-powered vehicles but also hopes to set a precedent in sustainable racing. If successful, we might just see hydrogen-powered supercars zooming through racetracks and possibly driveways in the near future.