SSC Tuatara
| SSC Tuatara | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | SSC North America |
| Production |
|
| Assembly | United States: Richland, Washington |
| Designer | Jason Castriota |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car (S) |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Doors | Butterfly |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.9 L (360.8 cu in) SSC Twin-Turbo V8 |
| Power output |
|
| Transmission | 7-speed CIMA automated manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 105.2 in (2,672 mm) |
| Length | 182.4 in (4,633 mm) |
| Width | 81.3 in (2,065 mm) |
| Height | 42.0 in (1,067 mm) |
| Curb weight | 2,750 lb (1,247 kg) (dry) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | SSC Ultimate Aero |
The SSC Tuatara /ˈtuətɑːrə/ is a sports car designed, developed and manufactured by American automobile manufacturer SSC North America (formerly Shelby SuperCars Inc.). The car is the successor to the Ultimate Aero and is the result of a design collaboration between Jason Castriota and SSC. Initially powered by a 6.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, the capacity of the engine was later reduced to 5.9 liters in order to allow the engine to have a higher redline of 8,800 rpm.[1] SSC had stated that the power output would be rated at 1,350 hp (1,007 kW; 1,369 PS) or 1,750 hp (1,305 kW; 1,774 PS) on E85 fuel, along with a 300+ mph top speed.
Design & Development
SSC began working on the development of the successor of the SSC Ultimate Aero in 2011. The new car named the Tuatara was previewed in concept form at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. In August 2018, seven years after the debut of the concept, the production version of the Tuatara was shown to the general public. Designed by ex-Pininfarina designer Jason Castriota, the car takes inspiration from the aerospace industry.
The Tuatara is named after the reptile,[2] found only in New Zealand, known for having the fastest molecular evolution of any living animal.[3]
Interior
The interior contains leather and Alcantara upholstery and the functions of the car are controlled through a touch screen located on the center console. There is a configurable instrument panel behind the steering wheel displaying important information about the car's status along with a 300 mph speedometer. The car uses a camera system instead of traditional side-view mirrors. SSC claims that the interior can seat a 6-foot 5-inch tall person wearing a helmet.[4]
Exterior
The car has a carbon-fiber body construction with aluminum crumple zones and incorporates active aerodynamics.[5]
Performance
SSC claims the Tuatara has the lowest drag coefficient in its class at Cd=0.279.[1][4][6][7]
SSC has partnered with Nelson Racing Engines to build the engine, Linder Power Systems for engine sub-assembly fabrication and Automac for the production of the 7-speed automated manual transmission.[6] The transmission was later revealed to be a 7-speed automated manual manufactured by CIMA. The car has the following driving modes: "Sport", "Track" and "Lift". In Sport mode, the ride height is 4 in (102 mm) at the front and 4.5 in (114 mm) at the rear. In Track mode, the ride height lowers to 2.75 in (70 mm) at the front and 3.75 in (95 mm) at the rear. The Lift mode is designed to protect the underbody of the car while driving over speed bumps or driveways.[7]
Production
The Tuatara is produced at a purpose-built facility in Richland, Washington, and production is limited to 100 cars.
World Record
Initial Attempt
On October 10, 2020, the Tuatara - according to SSC (pending independent confirmation) - claimed a disputed[8] production car top speed record, recording a one-way top speed of 331.15 mph (532.93 km/h) and a two-way average of 316.11 mph (508.73 km/h) on a seven-mile stretch of closed road outside of Las Vegas, Nevada, near Pahrump on State Route 160.[9] SSC claims that this speed beat the Koenigsegg Agera RS's record, which set a record on the same highway in 2017, by 46.6 mph (75.0 km/h).[10][11] British racing driver Oliver Webb piloted the car.[12] Various independent analysts subsequently challenged the record's accuracy.[8][13] In a video on the SSC North America YouTube channel uploaded October 30, 2020, SSC's founder Jerod Shelby stated that the run had been ruined after they started seeing some doubts, and the only way to fix them was to re-run the top speed in the near future.[14] SSC released a statement on July 21, 2021 stating that the initial record attempt did not reach over 300 mph (483 km/h).[15]
Successful Record Run
A second top speed run was attempted in Florida on December 12-13, 2020, but the car was unable to exceed 252 mph (406 km/h) due to mechanical problems.[16]
On January 27, 2021, the Tuatara reached a one-way speed of 286.1 mph (460.4 km/h) and a two-way average of 282.9 mph (455.3 km/h) over the course of 2.3 miles at Space Florida's Launch and Landing Facility.[17] American dentist and entrepreneur Larry Caplin, owner of the car, piloted it during the run, which was verified with multiple satellite tracking systems from Racelogic, Life Racing, Garmin, and IMRA.[18]
Planned Records
Shelby noted that this is just an update of their high-speed testing and they happened to break the world record. SSC plans to break 300 mph on the same runway. In April 2021 while traveling back to Florida to reattempt the speed record, the Tuatara was damaged after its trailer flipped over in high winds in Utah.[19]
Model Variants
In May, 2020, SSC North America announced a soft reveal of two Tuatara variants that focused on track abilities.[20]
Tuatara Striker
The Tuatara Striker features additional aerodynamic components that increases downforce for track handling.[20]
Tuatara Aggressor
The Tuatara Aggressor has the same body style as the Striker, but allows the customer to choose from non-road legal options, such as racing seats and a 2,200 hp (1,641 kW) engine upgrade.[20]
Specifications
| SSC Tuatara | Tuatara Striker | Tuatara Aggressor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Production | 100 units combined | 10 units | |
| Engine | 5.9 L (360.8 cu in)[21] V8, twin-turbo | ||
| Bore x stroke | 4.125 in × 3.375 in (104.8 mm × 85.7 mm)[21] | ||
| Transmission | CIMA 7-Speed robotized manual | ||
| Power (Horsepower) | 1,350 hp (1,007 kW) 91 Octane 1,750 hp (1,305 kW) E85 |
2,200 hp (1,641 kW) Option | |
| Aerodynamics | Cd=0.279 | 1,100 lb (500 kg) downforce | |
| 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) | 2.5 sec | TBA | TBA |
| 60–120 mph (97–193 km/h) | 2.5 sec | TBA | TBA |
"Little Brother" Project
CEO Jerod Shelby has shared limited information about a "Little Brother" supercar in early development that will decrease the price-point of a Tuatara-related vehicle to make it available to a larger market.[22]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Tuatara,SSC North America". SSC North America. July 6, 2019. Archived from the original on August 30, 2018. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
- ^ "This obscure US company now has the world's fastest car". Financial Review. October 20, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^ "Tuatara evolving faster than any other species". Massey University. January 4, 2008. Retrieved June 28, 2009.
- ^ a b "2020 Tuatara Debut" (Press release). SSC North America. February 7, 2020. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
- ^ Gilboy, James. "SSC Tuatara Finally Crashes The Hypercar Party with 1,750 American-Made Horsepower". The Drive. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ a b "The Tuatara Released" (Press release). SSC North America. August 25, 2018. Archived from the original on August 26, 2018. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
- ^ a b "First 2020 SSC Tuatara Goes Public: 1,750 HP, 300 MPH, $1.6 Million". Automobile Magazine. February 10, 2020. Archived from the original on February 18, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ a b Gardner, Daniel (October 29, 2020). "SSC Tuatara speed record under scrutiny". Which Car. Australia. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
- ^ "SSC's Tuatara is said to be the fastest car in the world with 331.15mph top speed". Top Gear. October 19, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
- ^ "1750-HP SSC Tuatara Sets Record for Fastest Production Car". Car and Driver. October 19, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
- ^ Wilkinson, Joseph. "Fastest car in the world: SSC Tuatara hits 316 mph in record-breaking drive". nydailynews.com. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^ "SSC's Tuatara is the fastest car in the world with 331mph top speed". Top Gear. October 19, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
- ^ Did the SSC Tuatara REALLY Set a 331mph World Record?. October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020 – via YouTube.
- ^ Jerod Shelby | SSC Record Personal Statement, retrieved August 5, 2021
- ^ Hoffman, Connor (July 22, 2021). "SSC Finally Admits 1750-HP Tuatara Did Not Break 300 MPH". Car and Driver. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ Mitchell, Robert (December 23, 2020). "SSC Tuatara Second Record Attempt". US. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Racelogic Certifies SSC Tuatara Record Speed" (Press release). SSC North America. January 27, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
- ^ OFFICIAL: SSC TUATARA BREAKS WORLD RECORD. Driven Plus. January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ Holderith, Peter. "Top Speed Record-Holding SSC Tuatara Wrecked in Car Carrier Crash". The Drive. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
- ^ a b c Hood, Bryan (May 28, 2021). "The 1750 HP SSC Tuatara, the World's Fastest Car, Just Got Even More Powerful". Robb Report. US. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
- ^ a b McTaggart, Bryan (October 21, 2020). "5.9L Of Concentrated Rage: Get A Closer Look At the SSC Tuatara's Powerplant!". Bang shift. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- ^ "SSC "Little Brother" to be $400-$500K, 700-800-hp, scaled down Tuatara". Motor Authority. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
External links
