| New supercar | 2008 New York Auto Show | Saleen S5S Raptor |

Saleen has an enviable reputation in motorsport and building tuned versions of existing cars, but now it has come up with its very own supercar. The S5S Raptor is a V8-powered, mid-engined machine aimed squarely at the likes of Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini.

Launched at the New York International Auto Show, the Raptor has a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 that makes 650bhp thanks to using bio-ethanol as its fuel rather than normal petrol. Bio-ethanol allows the engine to release more power and is also a cleaner fuel, so the Saleen is faster and better for the environment - relatively.

Driving through a six-speed manual gearbox or optional sequential manual with paddle shifters, the Raptor covers 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds and has a top speed of 200mph. Saleen says the Raptor will come with ESP stability control and ABS-equipped brakes developed from the company's racing experience.

The chassis is made from aluminium and the suspension is double wishbones all round. Wheels are 20-inch alloys front and rear with a carbon fibre finish on the show car.

Saleen says the S5S Raptor will be on sale in the USA within two years and cost from $185,000 (£92,000). Plans to bring the Raptor to Europe are still being discussed.

Alisdair Suttie - 25 Mar 2008