Saleen Unleashes 600-HP "Ultimate Bad Boy Edition"

IRVINE, Calif. — This summer's showstopper is bound to be the Saleen S281 Extreme "Ultimate Bad Boy Edition," which has been commissioned by Cannonball Run World Events, Inc. to commemorate its event called "The Great American Run." The winner gets one of the modified 600-horsepower Bad Boy Mustangs as a prize.

Saleen has modified 25 of its stock S281 "Extreme" Mustangs, adding an additional 50 horses to the world's fastest production Mustang that churns out 550 hp and 525 pound-feet of torque. The 2007 Saleen S281 Extreme gets several aftermarket options, including black-on-black paint, forged five-spoke one-piece wheels that are painted black, a numbered gold plaque and official "Great American Run" decals.

The event marks the stateside arrival of Europe's most famous road rally. The inaugural U.S. event runs from July 29 to August 4 and is unusual in that the object is to complete the course with an average speed at or below the national speed limit. "The object of the rally is not who can reach the final destination first, but rather who can most closely attain an average speed of 61 mph over the 3,000-mile route," organizers said.

The event will involve 400 cars starting from four cities: Washington, New York, Atlanta and Miami. Saleen has signed on as the title sponsor of the event. For more information, check out the Cannonball World Web site.