Saleen 570X: Specs, Performance, and the Story Behind the Challenger

The Saleen 570X is one of the rarest and most unusual performance cars to come out of Steve Saleen's work. Instead of starting with a Mustang, Saleen's SMS division took the newly revived Dodge Challenger R/T and turned it into a 700-hp performance machine.

Introduced as part of the SMS 570 Challenger lineup, the 570X was the extreme version of the two-car range. It combined a heavily reworked HEMI V8, Saleen's 296 supercharger, a specialized six-speed manual transmission, upgraded suspension and brakes, performance wheels and tires, and distinctive aerodynamic styling. Saleen's own timeline confirms that the 570 lineup consisted of the 570 and 570X, with “X” standing for Extreme.

That makes the 570X more than an interesting footnote in Saleen history. It is a rare example of the company applying its performance philosophy to a completely different American muscle car.

What Is the Saleen 570X?

The Saleen 570X Challenger was the high-performance version of the SMS 570 Challenger program introduced around 2009.

Both cars were based on the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T, but the 570X received the more powerful engine configuration and additional drivetrain hardware needed to handle its output.

Saleen's official history lists the 570 and 570X as part of its SMS Signature Series and highlights features including the 296 Supercharger, Red Butterfly Induction System, Rear Lightblade Illumination, and Chevron-style seating.

The result was a Challenger that looked familiar underneath but was substantially different in performance specification.

Saleen 570X Engine and Power

This is where the 570X separates itself from the regular 570.

The 570X was rated at 700 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque in contemporary reporting. It used Saleen's 296 supercharger and a more extensively modified HEMI powertrain than the 570. MotorTrend reported that the 570X used the 6.0-liter engine configuration and added forged internals to cope with the higher output.

Contemporary technical descriptions differ slightly on how the engine's displacement was characterized, so the safest way to describe the car is as a heavily reworked, supercharged HEMI-based powertrain rather than casually calling it a factory 6.0-liter Challenger engine.

The important point is the engineering behind the 700-hp figure. Saleen wasn't simply increasing boost and leaving the rest of the engine untouched.

570X vs. 570: What's the Difference?

This is one of the most important distinctions when discussing the two cars.

The SMS 570 used a supercharged 5.7-liter HEMI producing about 500 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. The 570X stepped up to approximately 700 hp and 650 lb-ft, with a substantially reworked powertrain.

The difference wasn't simply a number on a specification sheet. The 570X required additional engine and drivetrain development to make its higher output usable.

The 570X Transmission

The transmission is another detail that makes the 570X interesting.

While the 570 could be ordered with a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual, contemporary reporting stated that the 570X used a special six-speed manual transmission with a lightweight flywheel.

That choice fits the car's character. The 570X wasn't designed simply to be an effortless high-horsepower cruiser. Its manual transmission gave the driver a more direct connection to the engine's substantial output.

How Saleen Changed the Challenger

The 570X's performance wasn't based on horsepower alone.

The SMS program included a broader collection of chassis and aerodynamic changes. Saleen's original announcement specifically described upgrades covering the drivetrain, suspension, aerodynamics, tires, wheels, and interior.

The production cars also featured SMS Series 4 suspension and high-performance cross-drilled brakes, with contemporary reports describing six-piston front and four-piston rear brake configurations.

Those upgrades mattered because the Challenger was a large, powerful muscle car. Adding 700 hp without addressing the rest of the vehicle would have created an impressive straight-line machine but a much less convincing overall performance car.

570X Exterior Design

The 570X was visually distinct from a standard Challenger.

Saleen's treatment included a redesigned aerodynamic package, wheels, tires, distinctive badging, and the company's Red Butterfly Induction hood design. Saleen also highlighted its Rear Lightblade Illumination as one of the model's innovations.

The overall effect was deliberately aggressive, but it still retained the unmistakable proportions of the modern Challenger.

That balance is part of the car's appeal today: it looks like a Challenger, but details throughout the bodywork reveal that it isn't a normal one.

Inside the Saleen 570X

The cabin received Saleen-specific treatment rather than being left entirely stock.

Saleen's official timeline specifically mentions Chevron-style seating, while the SMS Signature Series program also incorporated unique badges and graphics.

These details helped give the car an identity beyond its mechanical upgrades.

The approach was similar to Saleen's broader philosophy: retain enough of the original vehicle to make its identity recognizable, while making the performance model feel like something special.

Why the 570X Matters in Saleen History

The 570X is significant because it shows Saleen moving beyond the Mustang.

The company had already established a strong identity through performance Mustangs, but the SMS Challenger program applied that same performance-focused thinking to a completely different American muscle car.

If you've read our Saleen Mustang guide, you'll recognize the broader philosophy: Saleen's performance cars were never supposed to be about horsepower alone. The 570X followed that approach with its engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, wheels, tires, aerodynamics, and interior.

But the 570X deserves to stand on its own. Its identity comes from the Challenger platform and the specific engineering decisions made for the SMS program.

How Rare Is the Saleen 570X?

The 570X was produced in very limited numbers, making it considerably less common than a standard Challenger.

The Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club's production information lists limited 570X production, although its own table notes that the historical totals are incomplete.

That uncertainty is important. Rather than claiming an exact lifetime production number as an unquestionable fact, it is safer to describe the 570X as a low-production, uncommon Saleen model.

For collectors, rarity is only one part of the equation. Originality, documentation, condition, mileage, and the exact specification can all have a major effect on desirability.

How to Identify a Genuine Saleen 570X

This is particularly important because a standard Challenger can be modified to look like a 570X.

Before paying a premium, verify:

• VIN and vehicle history

• Saleen/SMS documentation

• Production or build information

• Original equipment

• Engine and supercharger configuration

• Transmission

• Saleen-specific bodywork

• Interior components

• Service records

Don't assume that a Saleen hood, wheels, badges, exhaust, or aftermarket supercharger automatically makes a Challenger a genuine 570X.

The more expensive the car, the more important its documentation becomes.

What to Check Before Buying a Saleen 570X

A 570X should be inspected as both a rare performance car and an aging high-output vehicle.

Pay particular attention to the supercharger and cooling system, engine condition, transmission, clutch, brakes, suspension, tires, and signs of previous accident repairs.

Also inspect the Saleen-specific components carefully. Replacement parts for a low-production specialty vehicle may not be as straightforward to source as parts for a regular Challenger.

A professional inspection is worth considering before purchase, especially when the car is being sold as an authentic, original 570X.

Is the Saleen 570X Collectible?

The 570X has several characteristics that make it interesting to collectors.

It combines:

• A 700-hp supercharged HEMI

• Limited production

• Saleen engineering

• A Dodge Challenger R/T foundation

• Distinctive styling

• A six-speed manual transmission

• A relatively unusual place in Saleen history

However, rare does not automatically mean valuable.

A documented, original example in excellent condition is far more interesting than a heavily modified car with unclear history.

The 570X's unusual combination of Saleen engineering and Challenger heritage is arguably its strongest collectible characteristic.

The Bottom Line

The Saleen 570X is a fascinating performance car because it took the modern Dodge Challenger in a direction few other versions did.

With 700 hp, 650 lb-ft of torque, a supercharged HEMI-based powertrain, a specialized six-speed manual, Saleen-tuned suspension, upgraded brakes, distinctive aerodynamics, and limited production, the 570X was far more than a cosmetic Challenger package.

Its place in Saleen history is equally interesting. The company was best known for transforming Mustangs, but the 570X showed that its performance philosophy could be applied to another iconic American muscle car.

For anyone considering one today, the most important things are authenticity, documentation, originality, condition, and the health of its heavily modified powertrain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Saleen 570X?

The Saleen 570X is the extreme version of the SMS 570 Challenger program, based on the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T and developed with extensive Saleen performance upgrades.

How much horsepower does the Saleen 570X have?

The SMS 570X was rated at 700 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque in contemporary specifications.

Is the Saleen 570X supercharged?

Yes. The 570X used Saleen's 296 supercharger as part of its high-output HEMI-based powertrain.

What is the difference between the Saleen 570 and 570X?

The 570 produced about 500 hp, while the 570X was rated at 700 hp. The 570X also received a more extensively developed powertrain and a special six-speed manual transmission.

Is the Saleen 570X based on a Dodge Challenger?

Yes. Both the SMS 570 and 570X were based on the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T.

Is the Saleen 570X rare?

Yes. It was a low-production performance model, although exact historical production totals are difficult to establish with complete certainty.

How can you tell if a Saleen 570X is genuine?

Check the VIN, Saleen/SMS documentation, build information, original equipment, engine, supercharger, transmission, and Saleen-specific components. Visual modifications alone aren't enough to establish authenticity.