Saleen’s Foursixteen makes Tesla’s Model S even more slippery

By Stephen Edelstein August 18, 2014

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Saleen Foursixteen modified Tesla Model S

Saleen Foursixteen modified Tesla Model S

Saleen Foursixteen modified Tesla Model S

Saleen Foursixteen modified Tesla Model S

Saleen Foursixteen modified Tesla Model S

Saleen Foursixteen modified Tesla Model S

Saleen Foursixteen modified Tesla Model S

Saleen Foursixteen modified Tesla Model S

Saleen Foursixteen modified Tesla Model S

Saleen Foursixteen modified Tesla Model S

Saleen chose the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance to unveil its modified Tesla Model S. Called the Foursixteen, it’s completely new direction for a company known for high-horsepower muscle cars and the S7 supercar.

Saleen put its mark on the Foursixteen by replacing the trademark Tesla fascia with… nothing, really. There isn’t even a hint of a grille, making no bones about this car’s electric powertrain.

Other visual changes include functional air intakes in the front bumper, a trunk-lid spoiler, and carbon fiber rear diffuser. Saleen says the new parts improve the Foursixteen’s aerodynamic performance over the already-slippery stock Model S.

The Foursixteen is based on the top 85-kilowatt-hour Model S Performance (or P85, for short), and has the same 416 horsepower as stock. However, Saleen added an 11.39:1 final-drive gear, which it says will improve acceleration.

Related: Empty your bank account with this $205,820 Tesla Model S

To improve handling, Saleen added a locking differential and upgraded the suspension with monotube coilovers. A fully-adjustable suspension setup is also available, as are carbon-ceramic brakes.

On the software side of things, Saleen altered the electronic stability control programming, allowing drivers to keep the power on longer while cornering. Perhaps this will pave the way for some drifting Model S YouTube videos.

Pricing for the Saleen Foursixteen starts at $152,000 for the complete, although buyers of this performance-focused electric vehicle will likely still qualify for Federal, state, and local incentives.

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Front three quarter view of the 2023 BMW i7.

The BMW 7 Series has been the venerable German automaker’s flagship for more than 40 years, but with its latest redesign, BMW is taking things in a new — and electrifying — direction.
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The new 7 Series — and by extension the i7 — is sure to prove controversial due to BMW’s new front-end styling, which combines a massive grille sure to stoke internet memes and odd-looking two-tiered headlights. The effect is exaggerated by an available blacked-out front-end treatment, which makes it look like parts are missing.
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