The two coolest mid-engine exotics at the New York Auto Show last week were the Saleen Raptor and the Lamborghini LP560-4. The Saleen’s supercharged 5.0 produces 650 hp, while the Lambo’s 5.2 liter V10 makes a measly 560 hp. Saleen has not yet committed to building the Raptor, but if they did, which would you choose?

There weren’t a ton of unveils in New York, and most of the ones I was excited about happened on Wednesday. But I was curious to see what Saleen was hiding over in their booth, so Mike Musto and I went to their press conference yesterday. After a splashy intro complete with fancy lighting and smoke, the Raptor Concept made its debut. Mike thinks it looks like the product of one-night-stand between a Gallardo and an F430, and I don’t disagree. But I still think it looks dope, and with 650 horsepower and 603lbs of torque on tap, it would be blast to drive. The brass hasn’t decided whether to bring it into production yet, and will closely follow the response of its customers and the press. When I asked Marques McCammon, General Manager of Saleen Automotive, how long will it take for the company to pull the trigger, he said it "will depend on how loud everyone screams." If the response is deafening, the Raptor could be in production in two years. What do you think? Should Saleen build it? More pics after the jump.

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Right now, this concept sketch is the only image Saleen has released of its S5S Raptor concept, but it’s planning on having the real deal on display at the New York International Auto show next month. Power comes from a super-charged 5.0 V8—designed to run on E85 ethanol—and while no horsepower figures were available, the company is promising a top speed north of 200MPH. Of course, 200+ is no joke, but you have to wonder if Saleen is getting itchy make a car that’ll steal the Veyron’s thunder. Shelby Supercars has already done it with the Ultimate Aero. Who do you think is going to try next? Auto Week via World Car Fans

The Stangpede Mustang club of San Diego took a stock 2008 Ford Mustang GT and built a full-on show car in just six hours. And they did it in front of a live audience at the 2008 San Diego International Auto Show (which happened in December of 2007–go figure). Mods included a LNR body kit kit from Blow-By Racing, TruFiber GTS hood, Saleen 550-hp supercharger system, suspension and brakes, MAC full exhaust system, Classic Design Concepts Glassback roof, and a vertical door kit from Vertical Doors, Inc. Oh, and the car will have a staring role in the upcoming Fast & Furious 4. You can get the full scoop and see more pics over at Mustang Evolution.

The Ford F-150 maintains its #1 ranking on the Cars.com American Made Index, with 80% domestic content (the index takes total sales into account, so some vehicles with a higher domestic content, like the Silverado, are lower on the list). The Toyota Tundra moved up to the #4 spot, but the Camry fell off the list. More at Cars.com.

On another note, Branden’s Saleen F-150 (below) is pretty sweet!