The Driving Woman - Saleen's S5S Raptor Runs on Ethanol E85!

Saleen's S5S Raptor Runs on Ethanol E85!

Listen up, ethanol skeptics. Saleen, the 25-year-old company that has made a name for itself in the specialty market has created a roaring concept that can run on ethanol E85. Yup, that’s right! The company that has been involved with wild cars like the Viper, Prowler and Fort GT, introduced the S5S Raptor at the NYIAS.

“The Raptor is designed to digest cellulosic ethanol. This is the same ethanol formula that is the official fuel of the 2008 American Le Mans Race Series and the IRL,” said Paul Wilbur, Saleen President and CEO, when he introduced the sports car.

“The higher octane rating of E85 results in more power,” he explained. “With ethanol power, the car is both mean and clean!”

Want proof? The supercharged 5.0-liter engine has 650-horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque and can jet from zero to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, with a top speed in excess of 200 mph.

The S5S Raptor, a mid-engine two-seater, has a possible production date of 2010 and will be priced around $185,000.

Posted by Holly Mar 21, 2008 10:45 am

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Comments

texases - Mar 21, 2008 2:26 pm (#1 Total: 2)

The ability to use ethanol in a high-performance or race car has nothing to do with whether it's a good idea. Of course it works well here, it has higher octane than gas. Nothing new. It's still a bad idea for mass transportation because of the huge social costs from higher food expense and manipulation of the farming industry.

p.s. - ethanol is ethanol, whether from cellulose, corn, grapes, or potatoes - more booster b.s.

wiz101 - Mar 21, 2008 9:15 pm (#2 Total: 2)

New York, New York

ethanol is one of many alternatives. the good news is that there is plenty of research being done on ways to make ethanol from other sources like switchgrass and waste products.