- TRUCKIN.COM [1 9 ] OCTOBER 2019 -
And now, nearly three decades later, Saleen
is jumping back into the Sportruck game, this
time using the perennial Ford F-150 pickup as
its base. The Saleen Sportruck is available with
a tuned 2.7L EcoBoost engine producing 340 hp
and 410 lb-ft, a tuned 3.5L EcoBoost engine with
390 hp and 480 lb-ft, a tuned 5.0L V-8 with 415
hp and 420 lb-ft, or a supercharged 5.0L V-8 that
boasts a stonking 700 hp and 600 lb-ft.
Other optimizations include a functional air
dam, the buyer’s choice of full-length steps or
side skirts, massive rear exhaust tips, front brake
ducting, and other styling changes. A Racecraft
suspension is available, as are interior features
like custom leather upholstery, and more.
Furthermore, Saleen will build a Sportruck out
of virtually any F-150 body style, meaning a neo–
SVT Lightning single cab with a bench seat is a
distinct possibility.
In fact, we got our hands on such a model
a few weeks ago. Our Sportruck single cab was
a Black Label machine, meaning it had the en-
tire host of Saleen’s go-fast goodies bolted on. Its
supercharged 5.0L V-8 had two drive modes: loud
and fast, or louder and faster. With 700 hp on tap,
hitting freeway speeds took less than 5 seconds,
and going into license-revocation territory was
frighteningly easy. And due to Saleen Automotive’s
official status as a vehicle manufacturer—not a
modifier—the Sportruck feels very cohesive and
composed. There aren’t many rough edges to
complain about with this package, unlike some
other tuner trucks we’ve driven.
Our 700hp Sportruck tester, based on a mid-
level F-150 XLT, was fairly heavily optioned with
a bedliner, rolling bedcover, and some pleasant
interior appointments. Even so, Saleen would
only ask about $75,000 of a new owner for
the pleasure of piloting this Camaro-shaming
muscle truck. That’s certainly a lot of money,
but it’s almost a bargain given how special the
Sportruck feels and the massive smiles it elicited
from driver, passenger, and onlookers.
