You may remember SSC North America from the Ultimate Aero supercar of 2006. This car briefly claimed the title of world’s fastest production car at 256mph – that was until the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport came along. This new SSC Tuatar is here to crack the 300mph barrier and avenge its predecessor.
We first saw a concept variant of the SSC Tuatar as far back as 2011. It was splashed all over magazine covers and touted as the next Bugatti killer. However, those of you good at counting will note that 2011 was nine years ago, and so we were naturally sceptical if the project would ever really see the light of day. A new video from SSC highlights that the car is close to completion, and it’s fast!
The video clip shows an incredible acceleration run from 60mph to around 140, all of which happens in the blink of an eye. A the car’s heart is a twin-turbocharged 5.9-litre V8 engine capable of producing around 1,750bhp on E85 fuel, or 1,350bhp on 91-octane. Ex-Pininfarina designer Jason Castriota penned this car’s design, and its 0.279 coefficient of drag bodes well for that 300mph run.
The name ‘Tuatara’ comes from a reptile only native to New Zealand. What’s special about this little fellow is that he has the fastest molecular evolution of any living animal. Being quick to adapt is something SSC liked the sound of.
You’ll find the usual plethora of carbon fibre bodywork and lightweight aluminium is used to forge this car, something that gives it a 1,247kg dry weight. All of that power and a lack of mass is kept in check via clever active aerodynamics.
We’re keen to see just what the SSC Tuatara is capable of when let off its chain! Could this be the car that takes Bugatti’s crown?
Keyword: 300mph SSC Tuatara begins to put its money where its mouth is