2007 Saleen Mustang S281 Extreme: Barricade the Decepticon fromTransformers

In the Transformers, I'm sure that you've noticed that the Autobots were mostly GM cars.  No other Big 3 cars were represented.  I was always curious why.  Perhaps Ford didn't want to be associated with the bad guys?  We know for sure that Barricade was based on the 2007 Saleen Mustang S281 Extreme, a variant of Ford Mustangs.

In the movie, Barricade was tasked to find Sam Witwicky and he was doing this as a police car.  He was involved in high speed chases, mostly going mano-a-mano with Bumblebee's Camaro.  Together, those two cars provided for some really fun thrills.

The Saleen Mustang S281 Extreme is a beast

I gotta be honest here.  I knew little of Saleen mustangs before the Transformers.  I've seen them in other movies and music videos and knew that celebrities and race car buffs like 'em.  I'm glad because I've always preferred Mustangs over most sports cars.

Saleen Mustangs have been in production since 1984, in limited production.  In fact, since most cars Saleen produces are modded from Ford and other manufacturers, they're all limited production.  Saleen is well known in the racing circuit especially with their flagship, S7, dubbed as the world's fastest production car.

Now, the 2007 Saleen Mustang S281 Extreme is a great muscle car.  On paper alone, it seems like a real beast with a 4.6L, 3V, SOHC V-8 engine outputting 550 horsepower. 

It has a reputation as being the world's fastest production Mustang.  It's a really neat car!

Wanna see Barricade drifting? Check out the video clip. Pretty cool.

Pictures of Various Saleen Mustang S281