In 2015, the Ford Mustang->ke428 celebrated 50 years on this planet, so what better way to celebrate it than with a new-generation model. With the 2015 Ford Mustang came a new look, a new independent rear suspension, and a new 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Since 1984, Saleen and Ford have worked together to build even faster Mustangs. For the 2015 model year, Saleen has revealed the new S302 Black Label Mustang that gives the `Stang a much-needed competitor to the mighty Challenger Hellcat.

With over 700 horsepower at its disposal and a retuned suspension system, the Saleen->ke76 S302 Black Label is certainly a 2015 Challenger Hellcat slayer on paper. On top of its power, it also comes with a factory-backed warranty, giving buyers the same peace of mind that comes with the Hellcat. However, with the rocky financial condition of Saleen, is it safe to invest over $70k on this performance rig?

Continue reading to learn more about the 2015 Saleen S302 Black Label.

Exterior

Though Saleen named it the “Black Label,” the Mustang tuner extraordinaire coated this S302 Mustang in a bright yellow hue that it named California Sunset – there are 23 colors to choose from for the S302 Black Label. However, a bright coat of paint isn’t all that makes up this special Mustang.

Saleen spent time massaging the Mustang’s bodywork in creating the S302, tweaking its aerodynamics to deliver the perfect balance of low drag and high downforce. The end result is a car that is 1.5 inches longer up front and nearly 2 inches longer in the rear, with a larger airfoil to increase downforce.

Specific additions to the Saleen’s body include a custom front fascia with a high-flow radiator intake, a front air vane with brake cooling, a high-downforce front splitter, a special rear fascia with integrated exhaust exits, and the traditional Saleen rear wing. Saleen also added a functional center-induction hood.

To help keep the curb weight low, Saleen also installed a handful of carbon-fiber body components, but it did not go into specifics as to which components.

Interior

The interior also received a fair bit of modification from the folks at Saleen. These changes start out with new leather seating with Alcantara inserts and contrasting chevrons. Also included is a set of white-faced gauges, a twin-gauge pod, embroidered floor and trunk mats, illuminated Saleen doorsill plates, a Saleen steering wheel badge, and Steve Saleen’s signature on the dashboard,

A group of Saleen badges finish off the interior, while a plaque on the dash shows off the model’s build date and serial number.

Drivetrain

All the exterior and interior mods are great, but what really makes a Saleen Mustang is what’s under the hood. Under here, there is a retuned version of the Ford Coyote 5.0-liter V-8. Thanks to a twin-screw supercharger, high-performance recalibration, high-volume intercoolers, 54-pound fuel injectors, a cold-air intake, and a Saleen-tuned exhaust system, this 5.0-liter’s output is 730 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque.

The engine mates to a standard six-speed short-throw transmission that delivers power to the rear wheels. Buyers can opt for a six-speed auto transmission with paddle shifters. The standard axle ratio is 3.31-to-1, but buyers can opt for either a 3.55-to-1 or a 3.73-to-1 with the manual transmission, or 3.15-to-1 or 3.55-to-1 with the auto transmission.

With this extra power comes the need for an updated suspension to keep things in order in the twisties. So, Saleen added its S4 suspension package, which includes high-rate front and rear springs, stiffer front and rear shocks, updated front and rear sway bars, and stiffer sway-bar bushings. An S4 fully adjustable suspension is available as an option.

At the corners are silver-painted five-spoke alloy wheels measuring 20-by-10.5 inches. Saleen wrapped these wheels in 275/35R20 Z-rated rubber on the front and 275/40R20 Z-rated tires on the rear.

Bringing the S302 Black Label to a halt are four-wheel disc brakes with 13.9-inch vented rotors gripped by four-pot calipers up front and 13-inch vented rotors out back. Buyers can upgrade to 15-inch slotted and drilled front rotors with six-piston calipers, and 14-inch slotted and drilled rotors on the rear with four-pot calipers.

Prices

The 2015 Saleen S302 Black Label starts at $73,214, which is a $40,914 price bump over the standard Mustang GT.

Competition

2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat->https://www.topspeed.com/cars/dodge/2015-dodge-challenger-srt-hellcat-ar161904.html]

The logical competitor to the Saleen S302 Black Label is the mighty Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. This beast comes rolling in with a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 that delivers 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. This puts the Hellcat at a mild disadvantage in horsepower, but up by 50 pound-feet of torque. This allows the Challenger to blast to 60 mph in the low- to mid-three-second range.

In the corners, the S302 will surely eat the Challenger’s lunch, as the 4,449-pound Dodge tends to have a little more body roll than even the stock Mustang. The S4 suspension package should make the S302 Black Label even sturdier in the twisties.

The Challenger does beat the S302 Black Label in the pricing department, as Dodge priced the powerful coupe at $59,995.

Read our full review of the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat here.

Conclusion

Despite its continued financial issues, Saleen continues rolling out awesome Mustangs. The 2015 Saleen S302 Black Label is another great example of exactly what the 2015 Ford Mustang is capable of in the right hands. What’s more, with the Challenger SRT Hellcat’s order on hold (as of 3/30/2015), the S302 Black Label is the only factory-warrantied, 700-plus-horsepower muscle car available at the moment.