We’re not fans of war games, unless they involve horsepower. And we knew that once Dodge threw down the gauntlet with its 707-hp supercharged Hellcat V-8, the 700-plus-hp arena would see some incredible battles. Enter Saleen Automotive, Inc.—technically an OEM—with its new 2015 Mustang S302 Black Label. When it was announced last year, output of the car’s supercharged version of the Ford Mustang’s 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 was pegged at 640 horsepower. But as the car spun on the turntable before us at its official debut in Los Angeles last weekend, Saleen announced that the screw-type supercharger actually brings the Coyote’s output to a monstrous 730 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque—on 91 octane gasoline, no less. And if you live in a state where the fuel octanes are higher, the Black Label’s supercharged V-8 pumps out up to 750 horses. We will get more engine particulars from Saleen in coming weeks, but suffice it to say, the Black Label is the dark horse in the pony car battlefield, no pun intended.

The monster V-8 can be paired either with a six-speed manual transmission, which offers a choice of 3.31:1, 3.55, or 3.73 final-drive ratios, or a paddle-shifted six-speed automatic with 3.15 or 3.55 rear ends. A limited-slip differential comes standard, and each engine gets its own serial number and, yes, a plaque! As with the S302 White and Yellow Label models, the Black Label rides on Saleen’s S4 high-performance suspension but adds unique front and rear shocks, while a fully adjustable coil-over suspension is optional. Brake discs measure 13.9 inches in front and 13.0 inches in back, clamped by four-piston front and single-piston rear calipers. Drilled and slotted 15.0-inch front rotors with six-piston calipers are a $3300 upgrade, and for another $500, the rear discs will grow to 14.0 inches with four-piston calipers. Saleen’s display vehicle wore Pirelli P Zero tires measuring 275/35 up front and 275/40 out back, wrapped around gorgeous five-spoke 20-inch wheels.

View Photos STEVE SILER, THE MANUFACTURER

Shown in shimmering gold paint called “California Sunset” with Saleen’s usual hash marks on the fenders, the Mustang S302 Black Label sat low on its big wheels, wearing a full skirt of angry-looking, slotted and scooped carbon-fiber aero bits that add approximately three and a half inches to the car’s overall length. A body-color rear spoiler hangs off the deck, and two of the Mustang’s vertical taillamps blades have been blackened, leaving only four visible, all joined by a gloss-black panel embossed with Saleen’s name. The Black Label’s hood is vented in multiple places, of course, but sadly, none get the trick, throttle-linked butterfly valves of its predecessors.

The interior is upgraded with Katzkin leather upholstery, with the Saleen hash marks making another appearance on the seatback bolsters. The optional Signature edition interior treatment brings a leather-and-suede wrapped steering wheel, suede door panels, and a custom billet-and-leather shifter; all versions have Saleen’s signature on the passenger-side dash panel. Saleen will offer all S302s in tin-top coupe, glass-roof coupe, and ragtop convertible forms.

View Photos STEVE SILER, THE MANUFACTURER

While the Black Label’s power output is impressive, its actual performance remains a mystery. For its part, Saleen claims that it will keep up with all but the fastest Ferraris. Figure on a zero-to-60-mph time in the mid-three-second neighborhood, if one can keep the tires from evaporating at the slightest touch of the go pedal, that is. Saleen representatives acknowledge that more rubber may be needed to get all that power to the ground effectively, and it is looking at ways to fit tires as wide as 305s in the back, though that may require significant modifications to the chassis and/or the body.

As with the Hellcat, the S302 Black Label’s horsepower-per-dollar ratio is impressive—especially for such a rare car—at $73,214, including destination. Furthermore, Saleen says it will pay the estimated $2600 gas-guzzler tax on orders placed before the feds finish their paperwork, which it expects to happen by mid-April. For an even more screaming pony car deal, the aforementioned S302 Yellow Label uses the same supercharger and produces nearly as much power (715 horsepower and 595 lb-ft of torque) and does without some of the Black Label’s body, interior, and suspension bits for just $53,484, making it what Saleen considers the ultimate sleeper Stang.

We’ve been promised some seat time in Saleen’s new creation in coming months, by which point we should be able to tell you exactly how fast it is and, alas, if it can keep pace with the 199-mph Hellcat. Turns out wars can be cool after all—horsepower wars, anyway.

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