With the sudden surge of interest in electric vehicles thanks in no small part to the meteoric rise of Tesla Motors, suddenly automakers and aftermarket specialists are asking how they get a slice of the EV action. While the usual suspects are now getting serious about their EV projects, Saleen Automotive surprised many by suggestion it would pursue an electric car of its own.

Saleen has now confirmed that it is indeed working on an electric car project, claiming it will be an “innovative” and “unlike anything else in the marketplace.” What that means has us scratching our heads, but dare we suggest an electric muscle car?

It probably won’t happen, as the market crossover just isn’t there…yet. But Saleen does drop a few hints in the press release, promising a scale model sometime in early 2014. The “unlike anything else in the marketplace” line hints that this isn’t based on an existing vehicle, but rather something unique to Saleen.

Saleen goes even further, claiming that his electric car design will be groundbreaking both in aesthetics and performance. Bold words to be sure, but after watching the success Tesla Motors has had with the Model S, it makes sense for a big name like Saleen to get into electric cars as well. As Saleen himself says, electric cars are a trend, not a fad, and they’re going to be sticking around. Better to get on the boat than be left behind.

Do you think the electric supercar competition will endure the times, or do we really need the smell and sound of the exhaust for it to be a real supercar?