Saleen 570X Challenger: 700 HP Specs, Engine and Rarity
The Saleen 570X turned the Dodge Challenger into a 700-hp supercharged muscle car. See its specs, engine, price, how it differs from the 570, and how rare it is.
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, Steve Saleen's company, SMS Supercars, 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, the SMS 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, officially the SMS 570X Challenger, was the high-performance version of the SMS 570 Challenger program launched in early 2009. SMS stands for Steve Mark Saleen, and SMS Supercars was Steve Saleen's company at the time. That is why the car is badged SMS even though it is widely known as the Saleen 570X. The 570 name refers to the car's 5.7-liter HEMI, not to its horsepower.
Both cars were based on the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T, but the 570X received the more powerful engine configuration and the extra 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.
Saleen built its reputation on Mustangs, and our Saleen Mustang guide covers that background.
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 the SMS 296 supercharger and a more extensively modified HEMI than the 570, with forged pistons, crankshaft and connecting rods according to early coverage.
Reports differ on displacement. Launch announcements describe a supercharged 5.7-liter HEMI, while some later listings give about 6.1 liters. The safest description is a heavily reworked, supercharged HEMI-based V8 rather than a stock Challenger engine.
The important point is the engineering behind the 700-hp figure. SMS wasn't simply increasing boost and leaving the rest of the engine untouched.
Saleen 570X vs 570: Specs and Differences
In SMS's launch specifications, the 570 used a supercharged 5.7-liter HEMI producing about 500 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. Some later listings of 570s quote about 500 lb-ft. The 570X stepped up to approximately 700 hp and 650 lb-ft, with a substantially reworked powertrain.
Both cars were based on the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T and used the SMS 296 supercharger.
Feature | SMS 570 | SMS 570X |
|---|---|---|
Power | 500 hp | 700 hp |
Torque | 450 lb-ft | 650 lb-ft |
Engine | Supercharged 5.7L HEMI | Reworked HEMI, forged internals |
Transmission | Manual or automatic | Special 6-speed manual |
Body kit | Molded plastic | Carbon fiber |
Launch MSRP | $64,870 | $84,970 |
Launch MSRPs come from SMS's early 2009 announcement.
The difference wasn't just a number on a spec sheet. The 570X needed 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 an automatic or a six-speed manual, the 570X used a special six-speed manual with a high-performance clutch, larger half-shafts and 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. The 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 six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers, according to the SMS launch release.
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.
The same whole-vehicle thinking appears in Saleen's pickup work, such as the Saleen F-150.
570X Exterior Design
The 570X was visually distinct from a standard Challenger.
The treatment included a redesigned aerodynamic package, wheels, tires, distinctive badging, and the Red Butterfly Induction hood design. The 570X also used a carbon-fiber body kit, where the 570 used molded plastic. 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 gave the car an identity beyond its mechanical upgrades.
Why the 570X Matters in Saleen History
The 570X is significant because it shows Steve Saleen moving beyond the Mustang. The company had already established a strong identity through performance Mustangs, but the SMS Challenger program applied the same performance-focused thinking to a completely different American muscle car.
The 570X's engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, wheels, tires, aerodynamics, and interior all followed the same idea: these cars were never supposed to be about horsepower alone.
Saleen later went further with an original design, the mid-engine Saleen S1.
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 production number as fact, it is safer to describe the 570X as a low-production, uncommon 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 matters 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 easy 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:
A 700-hp supercharged HEMI
Limited production
Saleen engineering
A Dodge Challenger R/T foundation
Distinctive styling
A six-speed manual transmission
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 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, upgraded suspension and brakes, distinctive aerodynamics, and limited production, the 570X was far more than a cosmetic Challenger package.
For anyone considering one today, the most important things are authenticity, documentation, originality, condition, and the health of its heavily modified powertrain.
Saleen 570X FAQs
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.
What engine does the Saleen 570X have?
A heavily reworked, supercharged HEMI V8 with the SMS 296 supercharger. Launch announcements describe a 5.7-liter HEMI, while some later listings give about 6.1 liters, so displacement figures vary by source.
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.
How much did the Saleen 570X cost?
SMS announced launch MSRPs of $64,870 for the SMS 570 and $84,970 for the 570X in early 2009. Early press estimates had been lower, at about $60,000 and $70,000. Used prices vary widely with condition, documentation and originality.
How many Saleen 570X were made?
Exact numbers are hard to establish. The 570X was a low-production model, and the production table kept by the Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club notes that its totals are incomplete.
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.
