Share

Faster than a Bugatti! The SSC Tuatara sets a ridiculous new record, and it costs R26.5m

accreditation
SSC Tuatara. Image: SSC
SSC Tuatara. Image: SSC

• The SSC Tuatara is the first production car to reach over 500km/h. 

• The hypercar is powered by a twin-turbo 5.9-litre flat-plane crank V8 engine. 

• British racing driver Oliver Webb reached 532km/h and averaged 508km/h outside Las Vegas, Nevada. 

There's a new fastest production car and it's probably a name you've never heard before. The Shelby SuperCars (SSC) Tuatara clocked an average speed of 508.73km/h 

The hypercar blasted its way into the record books with racing driver Oliver Webb behind the wheel. In onboard footage the British driver reaches 532.821km/h. 

The attempt was done on 11 October on an 11-kilometre stretch of closed road outside Las Vegas, Nevada in the United States. 

The requirements for the record to stand was for Green to complete two runs in both directions and both to be completed in the same hour. 

Green reached 484.53km/h in the one run and 532.821km/h for an average of 508.73km/h. 

The SSC Tuatara is powered by a twin-turbo 5.9-litre V8 engine with 1305kW when fueled with E85, an ethanol blend. Astonisngly it produces 1007kw on normal petrol. 

It weighs just 1247 kilograms thanks its body and monocoque structure produced entirely from carbon fibre.  

"It's been ten years since we held this record with our first car, the Ultimate Aero, and the Tuatara is leagues ahead. Its performance reflects the dedication and focus with which we pursued this achievement," said Jerod Shelby, CEO of SSC, to Top Gear.

"We came pretty close to meeting the theoretical numbers, which is astonishing to do in a real world setting on a public road."

The SSC's feat demotes the Koenigsegg Agera RS to the second quickest production car in the world. The Swedish hypercar reached an average of 447.1km/h at the same location three years ago. 

Read the original article here.

Compiled by Sean Parker

KEEP UPDATED on the latest Wheels news by subscribing to our FREE newsletter.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE