Saleen’s Legacy of Building Beyond the Base
Steve Saleen is known for taking familiar American performance cars and turning them into something sharper, quicker, and arguably better than their factory origins. But Saleen didn’t stop with high-performance Mustangs to race-winning track specials – he went on to create his own supercar, the S7, a mid-engine machine that stood toe-to-toe with Europe’s elite.
Now, Saleen Automotive is preparing for another leap with the upcoming S11, its next-generation American supercar. The twist this time is that fans will help decide how it looks and feels.
The “American Idle” Project
The S11 will make its first appearance as a full-scale clay model and a set of design sketches at The Birth of the American Supercar, a new exhibition at LeMay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington.
Curated by Saleen himself, the year-long display explores the evolution of the American supercar—from the pioneers of early performance to today’s carbon-fiber marvels. At the center of the show, visitors can take part in a unique design experiment dubbed “American Idle.”
Through this program, guests will be able to vote on specific elements of the S11’s interior and exterior, directly influencing the car’s final form. Saleen describes it as an opportunity to hear from American supercar fans worldwide, and a way to shape a car built for them, by them.
According to the company, new design options will be presented to the public, and Saleen plans to integrate the chosen features into the finished car. The S7, which debuted 25 years ago, will also be on display to showcase the company’s breadth of work.
Saleen
What to Expect from the Exhibition
The Birth of the American Supercar opens October 25, 2025, and will run for a full year with quarterly refreshes. Visitors can explore everything from roaring V8 classics to modern engineering showcases by Ford, Dodge, Chevrolet, Vector, Cunningham, and Hennessey. The exhibit mixes interactive storytelling with historical insight, showing how American builders challenged European rivals and redefined performance on their own terms.
More details about the S11’s engine, aerodynamics, and chassis setup will be revealed in the coming months – but Saleen hints it will be a step beyond anything currently on the market.
James Ochoa
