Saleen S281 History
Catalog record
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History
Introduced for 1996, the S281 took its name from the 281-cubic-inch (4.6-liter) displacement of the modular Ford V8 it was built around. It replaced the 5.0-based cars as the core Saleen Mustang and spanned the SN-95, New Edge, and fifth-generation S197 Mustang platforms across its 13-year run.
A supercharged S281SC option arrived around 1999 at approximately 350 hp on the New Edge cars; on the fifth-generation S197 Mustang (2005–2009) the three-valve engine designation became S281-3V and the supercharged car climbed to roughly 465 hp. The S281 was offered as a coupe and convertible, complemented by Saleen's Racecraft suspension, enlarged brakes, aerodynamic body kit, and serialized badging.
Special editions punctuated the run: the 1998 SA-15 (ten cars, the first S281 equipped with an Eaton blower supercharger), the 2003 SA-20 (ten cars, 20th anniversary), and the 2008 H-281DG (300-unit Dan Gurney tribute with race-inspired livery). Production ended with the S197 platform in 2009 as the S302 designation succeeded it.
Body styles
- Coupe
- Convertible
Notable special editions & performance variants
SA-15
Ten-car 15th-anniversary edition; first S281 to receive an Eaton Series 1 supercharger.
SA-20
Ten-car 20th-anniversary edition.
H-281DG
300-unit Dan Gurney tribute with race-inspired livery.
Related models
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