This Ford Explorer Saleen XP8 Is The Original Performance SUV CarBuzz News Features New Cars Used Cars Sell My Car Shopping Tools Car Reviews Car Finder Compare Cars Best Cars Car Dealerships Used Car Reviews Car Advice Home News This Ford Explorer Saleen XP8 Is The Original Performance SUV

This Ford Explorer Saleen XP8 Is The Original Performance SUV

May. 04, 2020 8:28 AM ET by Jared Rosenholtz For Sale / 21 Comments And it can now be yours. The 2020 Ford Explorer ST is one of the hottest mainstream crossovers on the market courtesy of its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 producing 400 horsepower. Performance crossovers are quite commonplace today but back in the 1990s, they were much more obscure. While Ford never built a high-performance version of the second-generation Explorer, you may have forgotten that legendary Mustang tuner Saleen did offer one. It was called the Saleen XP8 and it one of the coolest SUVs that most people forget ever existed. Saleen only built the Explorer XP8 from 1998 to 2001 with fewer than 300 ever produced. These cars are not easy to find but a pristine example has just become available on Bring A Trailer. Bring A Trailer Bring A Trailer Bring A Trailer Bring A Trailer The red example up for auction is a 1998 model year number 28 out of fewer than 300 total units. Saleen offered the XP8 Package cars with the choice of two 5.0-liter V8 engines. In standard form, the V8 produced 222 horsepower going out to a four-speed automatic but this particular XP8 has the supercharger, bringing the output up to 286 hp. On the outside, Saleen equipped the Explorer with a unique body kit, rear spoiler, and on this particular example, gold wheels. Saleen also improved the handling by lowering the suspension by two inches and fitting N2 shocks and sway bars from Saleen Racecraft Bring A Trailer Bring A Trailer Bring A Trailer Bring A Trailer Inside, the Explorer features a tan leather interior with optional Recaro sport seats. The interior looks almost brand-new and pack original features such as a CD/cassette player with rear audio controls and a trunk-mounted subwoofer. As of this writing, the Explorer XP8 has a current bid of $8,100 with four days still left on the auction. We doubt the car will bring anywhere near its original MSRP of $52,228 but with such low mileage in this condition, we wouldn't be surprised if it brings a hefty sum. Bring A Trailer Bring A Trailer Bring A Trailer Source Credits: Bring A Trailer

Join The Discussion

Show Comments (21)

Gallery

11 Photos Tags: #Ford News #Auctions #For Sale #Trucks

Related Cars

Ford Explorer Jared Rosenholtz Editor-at-Large After graduating with an MBA, Jared pursued his love of cars by becoming an automotive journalist. An internship with CarBuzz grew into his current position as Editor At Large. Jared now spends most of his time evaluating new vehicles and chasing the latest news stories in the automotive industry. When he’s not attending Cars & Coffee events on the weekend, Jared loves to watch NFL football and cruise around with the top down in his German convertible. Contact Jared @Carsnbites @jar_rosenholtz LoginSign Up Home News Features Car Reviews Car Advice 2021 CarBuzz Awards New Cars Used Cars Future Cars Compare Cars Sell My Car Car Dealerships Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Reviews Popular Tags Cars # Video # TOP # Spy Shots # Reveal # Rumor # Auto Show # Supercar # Tuning # Car Culture # Industry News # Motorsport Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Car Type SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars By Price Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K Back To Top