2000 Saleen S7 7.0 V8 Review and Performance Comparison

Saleen S7 Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 2000 Saleen S7 7.0 V8 is a powered by a Petrol V 8. This variant of the Saleen S7 7.0 V8 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 2000. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2000 Ultima GTR 720 and the 2000 TVR Cerbera Speed 12.

This particular Saleen S7 has a 6998cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the Saleen Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol V 8's include the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The S7 shares its Petrol V 8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo.If you're looking for other similar performing cars which share the S7's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1247 kgs (2749 lbs) places the Saleen S7 7.0 V8 in a similar weight category as the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR RC Automatic and the excellent 2024 Toyota Yaris GR RZ High Performance Automatic, give or take 50kg.

The Saleen S7 shares the same bhp with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 6998cc 16 valve, V 8 engine produces around 550 bhp (410 kW) @ 5900 rpm which is comparable to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) and also the 2024 BMW 4 Series M4 CS (543 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V 8 throws out 525 lb-ft (711.8 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2025 Lamborghini Fenomeno V12 (535 lb-ft) or the 2025 Maserati MCPURA 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (538 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 2000 Saleen S7 in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 2025 Lamborghini Fenomeno V12 (465.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Saleen S7.

The Saleen S7 has a power to weight ratio of 441.0 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 2000 S7 7.0 V8 means you're competing with the 2025 Lamborghini Fenomeno V12 (465.0 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 1992 Caterham Super 7 JPE (463.8 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The Saleen S7 7.0 V8 generates around 421.0 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 2023 McLaren 750S Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (444.9 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2018 Ferrari 488 Pista 3.9 V8 Turbo (443.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Saleen S7 7.0 V8 can accelerate 0–60mph in 3.30 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 3.4 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Saleen S7 7.0 V8 include the 2024 Bentley Flying Spur Speed (3.30 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2024 Mercedes E Class E53 Hybrid 4MATIC+ Estate (3.30 secs).

The V 8 engine of the Saleen S7 7.0 V8 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2024 BMW 4 Series M4 Competition Coupe with xDrive (3.40 secs) and the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (3.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Saleen S7 7.0 V8 and the Audi RS e-Tron GT performance

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 2000 Saleen S7 can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 10.72 secs with a trap speed around 127.1 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Audi RS e-Tron GT performance (10.75 seconds @ 126.7 mph) and a close race between the Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3 (10.75 seconds @ 126.7 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 2000 version of the Saleen S7 7.0 V8 has a maximum speed of 240mph.

Top Speed of the 2000 S7 equals the W-Motors Lykan HyperSport 3.7L Twin Turbo (239 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 2000 Saleen S7 7.0 V8 then there's the slightly slower the W-Motors Lykan HyperSport 3.7L Twin Turbo (239 mph) or how about the impressive Bugatti Divo 8.0L W16 64 Valve Turbo (236 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 2000 S7 Rivals List.
• 2000 S7: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Saleen
• Compare the 2000 Saleen S7