SSC Ultimate Aero
| SSC Ultimate Aero | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | SSC |
| Production | 2006–present (25 to be produced) |
| Designer | Matthew Wager |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door coupe |
| Layout | Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | Template:Auto in |
| Width | Template:Auto in |
| Height | Template:Auto in |
| Curb weight | Template:Auto lb |
The SSC Ultimate Aero is an American-built mid-engine sports car by Shelby SuperCars. SSC stands for Shelby SuperCars and TT stands for Twin Turbo. Its higher-performance limited production version, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT,[1] is allegedly the fastest production car in the world, with a claimed recorded speed of Template:Auto km/h.[2] This speed was reportedly achieved during tests on September 13, 2007 in West Richland, Washington, United States and verified by Guinness World Records on October 9, 2007.[3]
The Aero and the Shelby SuperCars company are the brainchildren of Jerod Shelby, who spent over seven years designing the car. Although the basic Aero model is no longer produced, the Ultimate Aero is still in production with an MSRP of around $654,400.[4]
Prototype (2004)
SSC Ultimate Aero SC/8T prototype #001 was built using a supercharged Corvette ZR1 engine with G-64 6-speed manual transmission (also seen in the Dodge Viper. It weighs 2800 lb. Prototype #001 was sold in 2008 Barett-Jackson Palm Beach auction with winning bid price of (estimated) $172,000.
Specifications (2006)
Styling of the Aero includes the use of butterfly doors similar to those found on the Mercedes/McLaren SLR, Saleen S7, Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR, and the Ferrari Enzo. Carbon fiber and titanium are used throughout the car, helping to limit the weight to 2,850 lb (1,293 kg) for the standard Aero. Rumors persist that the Ultimate Aero TT is nothing more than a stripped down racing version of the base Aero (rumors that the car has no air conditioning for example); however, such claims have been proven false.[5][6]
The engine in the base Aero model was a Supercharged V8 Ford Small Block series engine rated at 1,062 hp (792 kW) at 6600 rpm and 1,001 ft⋅lbf (1,357 N⋅m) at 5800 rpm, with the supercharger at 8 psi and running on 91 octane gasoline. The Ultimate Aero has increased engine displacement of 387 cu in (6.34 L) and increased boost of 14 psi, resulting in 1,146 hp (855 kW) at 6950 rpm and 821 ft⋅lb (1,113 N⋅m) at 6200 rpm, running on 91 octane gasoline.[6]
Wind tunnel testing indicates that the Ultimate Aero could theoretically reach a top speed of 273 mph (439 km/h) given appropriate transmission gear ratios, although the supplied transmission would result in 259.8 mph (418 km/h)[6] at the car's redline. The base Aero, however, should "only" reach about 236 mph (380 km/h).[7] The Ultimate Aero accelerates from 0-60 mph in 2.78 seconds,[8] slower than the Bugatti Veyron which achieves 0-60 mph in 2.46 seconds because of its 4WD layout.[9]
Specifications (2007)
The engine in the base Aero model is same as the previous year, but the Ultimate Aero has a 6.35-litre (387.2 cu in) engine, rated at Template:Auto bhp at 6950 rpm and Template:Auto ft·lbf torque at 6150 rpm, and the supercharger is replaced by a twin turbocharger with cabin adjustable boost pressure. The car is designed to use 91-octane gasoline.[10] The 6-speed transmission is readjusted to increase the theoretical top speed to 273.75 mph (437 km/h) at 7200 rpm.
Wheels on the base model are sized 18-inch (460 mm) at the front and 19-inch (480 mm) at the rear, while the Ultimate Aero TT has wheels an inch larger at each end.
The 2007 models are heavier, with the base model weighing 2,850 lb (1,290 kg), and Ultimate version 2,750 lb (1,250 kg). Unlike the previous year, base models have a navigation system, 10-speaker audio/CD/DVD system, video/DVD screen, back-up camera, air-conditioning, and trunk space as standard equipment. These come optional on the Ultimate.
The first production 2007 Ultimate Aero TT car was sold on eBay for US $431,100. Later cars are expected to cost US $485,000.[11] Only 24 Ultimate Aero TTs are going to be produced from 2006-2007. The Ultimate Aero TT made its international debut on the International Show Circuit in November 2006.
Specifications (2008)
In 2008 models of Ultimate Aero, 3 changes were made:
- New Twin-Turbo V8
- All new aluminum engine block
- Standard HRE Monoblok wheels
- Azentek Atlas computer infotainment system[12]
The '08 Aero TT was to have a theoretical top speed of 430 km/h (267.19 mph)
Specifications (2009)
The new Ultimate Aero has 15% more horsepower and was claimed to be able to reach Template:Auto mph, with 6th gear rated top speed of Template:Auto mph. In order to prevent the engine from overheating, airflow to the engine has increased 20% with new carbon fiber louvers. The nose has been redesigned to make the car more aerodynamic, and the interior has been redesigned. The new Aero also has a new AeroBrake system, which is a spoiler that rises up to 8 inches when the brake is pressed to slow the vehicle.[13]
- Length reduced to 176.2 inches (4475.5 mm)
Ultimate Aero EV
SSC announced the production of the Ultimate Aero EV, an electrical version of the sports car.[14] The released specifications include using 500 horsepower (373 kW) electric motor, with SSC also exploring the potential of using 2 engines in 2 or 4 wheel drive configuration. The SSC, once in production, will be the fastest electric car on the market. "I think we can do it faster, leaner and cleaner than any other manufacturer," claims the SSC founder, Jerod Shelby. SSC planned to produce its first prototype in February 2009, with production to begin as early as Q4 of 2009.
As part of the production plan, SSC also announced it had contracted with Sheffield International Finance Corporation to initiate the company's first acceptance of outside capital since its inception.[15]
SSC announces electric powertrain and Ultimate Aero EV specifications.[16] "..SSC will display its AESP in the Ultimate Aero EV in order to prove that electric-powered vehicles will not only match but also provide more linear power ... and overall performance than internal combustion cars. The Ultimate Aero EV utilizes a twin motor AESP producing an astounding 1,000 HP and 800 lb-ft of torque enabling it to rocket to 60 mph in a mere 2.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 208 mph. Not only does the Ultimate Aero EV have a range of 150-200 miles on a single charge, but SSC's "Charge on the RunTM" onboard charging system allows for full battery recharges in as little as 10 minutes. Mind you, this is not the solution for perpetual motion."
- Length and width reduced from Ultimate Aero engine car version
Speed attempt
SSC tested the top speed capability of the Ultimate Aero TT on March 22, 2007. The original test was scheduled for March 21, 2007 but was called off due to bad weather conditions. SSC closed down a 12-mile (19 km) stretch of U.S. Route 93 in Nevada for the event. Their goal was to replace the Bugatti Veyron as the fastest production car ever produced, which at the time could achieve 253.5 mph (408.0 km/h). Simulation and testing at NASA's Virginia facility had shown that the Ultimate Aero TT should be capable of approximately Template:Auto mph.[17] The March 22nd attempt failed to break the record, apparently due to sub-optimal conditions. Test driver Rick Doria reported "wheel-spin" at speeds above Template:Auto mph.[18] Despite the failure of the attempt, the car still reached 242 mph (390 km/h).
SSC announced they had broken the speed record for the world's fastest production car with 256.18 mph (412.28 km/h) in West Richland, WA on September 13, 2007. The reported record speed came from an average of two runs in opposite directions, in accordance with Guinness Book of World Records rules. The first run clocked 257.44 mph (414.31 km/h) and the return trip 254.91 mph (410.24 km/h). The results of this test, verified by Guinness World Records on October 9, 2007, gave the SSC Ultimate Aero the title of world's fastest production car, with a top speed of 256.18 mph (412.28 km/h).[19] This beat the previous record holder, the Bugatti Veyron, that has a top speed of 253.81 mph (408.47 km/h).
In addition to the fastest production car record, SSC also applied for the world record for the highest horsepower for an emissions-legal production automobile.[20]
The record-breaking 2007 Shelby SuperCars Ultimate Aero Chassis #TT-02 was later put into auction by Shelby SuperCars, which also included SSC World Record commemorative watch, key fob, original record-breaking wheels and tires, framed official Guinness World Records certificate with commemorative photo signed by Shelby SuperCars team.[21]
Criticism/Skepticism
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Although the car does have a Guinness World Records certificate, many people still find it hard to believe that the SSC Ultimate Aero topped the Bugatti Veyron on maximum speed. One of the reasons is that this car was never seen on camera, under credible circumstances, reaching the claimed top speed, unlike the Bugatti Veyron. Other reasons are the place where the top speed was reached (road instead of dedicated race track), and the car weight data, that according to some do not seem credible or even feasible.
Jeremy Clarkson said that the test driver was "a 71 year old man", and that he does not believe that the car really is better than the Bugatti Veyron.
Some critics do admit the possibility that the car does indeed live up to the Guinness World of Records certificate, but that does not in any way mean the car is better than the Veyron. They claim that the Veyron was designed to be a normal german sportscar (you can get it to the supermarket, and beat a world record on your way home), with all the luxury, elegance, safety and reliability, that the SSC Ultimate Aero does not have.
Others say that the SSC Ultimate Aero isn't the fastest street-legal road car, because that place belongs to the Koenigsegg CCX.
In spite of all doubts and criticisms and the way these are qualified, it is true however that the SSC Ultimate Aero has not been shown on camera, under credible circumstances (such as having its speed measured by a GPS tachometer) reaching the claimed speed.
References
- ^ Originally appeared in 2004 under the name "Aero SC/8T".
- ^ "Shelby Supercars' press release".
- ^ "Guinness World Records certificate" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- ^ "The 10 Most Expensive Cars in the World". Onelargeprawn. 2009-01-17. Retrieved 2009-05-01.
- ^ "Jay Leno's Review of the SSC Ultimate Aero TT".
- ^ a b c "Shelby Supercars' old specification".
- ^ "Shelby Supercars' old homepage".
- ^ "Shelby SuperCars: Official Ulimate Aero Specifications".
- ^ "Autocar Magazine: Bugatti Veyron Road Test".
- ^ "Car specifications".
- ^ "SSC Ultimate Aero TT Supercar Up For Bids On eBay". Archived from the original on 2008-02-07. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- ^ "Three Changes Announced for the Ultimate Aero in 2008".
- ^ Updated SSC Ultimate Aero boasts 17 hp, claimed top speed of 270 mph
- ^ "World's fastest production car goes electric | Hybrid/Electric | Carcentral.com.au". Carcentral.com.au. 2008-07-17. Retrieved 2009-05-01.
- ^ "SSC 'Going Green' In New SuperCar Development".
- ^ "SSC Announces Electric Powertrain and Ultimate Aero EV Specifications".
- ^ "SSC Sets Date for Top Speed Record Attempt - Automotive News and Motorsports News at Fast-Autos.net!". Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- ^ "SSC confident Ultimate Aero TT will be will be world's fastest soon - Autoblog". Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- ^ "SSC Ultimate Aero News Page about Record".
- ^ "It's Official: SSC's Ultimate Aero Speed Record is validated by Guinness World Records".
- ^ Details of the World Record Car Auction