ssc tuatara

The upcoming SSC Tuatara is the hotly anticipated sophomore album from the Washington-based SSC North America team. SSC has built a name for itself via impressive top-speed-record runs with its existing model, the Diablo  -esque SSC Ultimate Aero XT.The Tuatara’s development continued this spring with engine and gearbox setups being refined since the concept car was revealed in late 2011. The new model builds a stunning exterior and interior atop the brute-force mechanical package from the Ultimate Aero XT . The latest news to emerge from the firm is a 250 pound-feet bump in engine torque following durability testing, and news of a 300 mph speedometer, feeding rumors of a top speed well above the 276 mph initially quoted.The style and presence of the white concept Tuatara created quite a stir when shown at Pebble Beach in 2011. Designed by the talented-but-bizarre Jason Castriota of SAAB and Fiat fame, the Tuatara most closely resembles the 2006 Maserati Birdcage 75th concept car in its smooth flowing panels and deep, milky-white paint finish. Castriota also worked on the Birdcage, but was not the lead designer. He now runs an independent design consultancy called Castriota Design.

The SSC Tuatara is a monster of a Sports Car manufactured by SSC or Shelby Super Cars in a bid to claim the title of manufacturing the 'World's fastest production car'. SSC is not a very big company in comparison to the current champion it has challenged - Bugatti owned by Volkswagen. The supercar was unveiled at the 2011 Dubai International Motor Show and though it was priced at a hefty $1.3 million, it already sold 10 pieces in the show itself. The car arrives as a very worthy successor to the SSC Ultimate Aero and it features a power-to-weight ratio of 1,125 hp per tonne.

Complementing the exterior aerospace design is a highly functional and futuristic interior. The interior looks like the cockpit in a space shuttle and it has been optimized to enhance the look. Adorning the left and right of the driver are HUDs (Heads-Up Displays) which are joined by the main gauge-cluster area. The left HUD has a menu and a central command console while the right HUD has all the necessary info on the current gear of the car. The steering column hosts the seven-speed gear shifter and a red button on the side ignites a massive engine. There is a climate-control system within the supercar and the AC is vented through the central exhausts. Two screens inform the driver and the passenger about all the necessary inputs which can be controlled from the central console.

The exterior of this Super Sports car has been designed entirely based on the aerodynamic and slip-stream requirements. The body work has overcome the technical challenges that the forces of nature pose at a speed above 350 kmh. The shape is flat and classical. Standing barely a meter tall, the car features a black teardrop-shaped canopy or roof which sits on a dazzling off-white body. Two wings, or dihedral stabilizers as they are officially called, grace the sides of the body after the idea was borrowed from the aviation industry. These wings support the superstructure of this supercar. A look at the front reveals a low nose with carbon-fiber headlights. The car looks super sexy and sleek in its side profile which has no door handles or projections of any kind. There is nothing like a hood or boot in this car which has been designed purely for awesome speeds.

SSC Tuatara

    

Performance

0-60 mph:	2.50 seconds
0-100 mph:	-
0-200 mph:	-
1/4 mile:	9.75 seconds at 144 mph
Top Speed (Tested):	-
Top Speed (Projected):	276 mph
Skidpad:	1.05g
0-100mph-0:	11.25 seconds
0-200mph-0:	-
60mph-0 (braking):	103 feet

Engine Specs

Type:	SSC Designed Billet Aluminum V8 Block
Displacement:	423.6 cu.in.
Bore x Stroke:	-
Compression Ratio:	8.625:1
Horsepower:	1350 bhp @ 6800 rpm
Torque:	1042 ft-lbs @ 6800 rpm
Redline:	9200 rpm
Fuel Injection:	Electronic Sequential Port
Weight:	428 lbs.
Oil:	SAE 5W/30 Fully Synthetic Racing
Induction System:	Sequential, multi-port fuel injection, Twin Turbo Chargers. Dual-Water to Air Intercoolers.
Fuel:	Premium Unleaded - 91 Pump Octane

Chassis & Body

Layout:	Mid-Engine/Rear Drive
Body/Frame:	Carbon Fiber/Carbon Fiber/Aluminum Crash Structures
Brakes:	Front: 15.0" Vented Slotted Carbon Ceramic Discs/8-Piston Caliper. Rear: 15.0" Vented Slotted Carbon Ceramic Discs/6-Piston Caliper.
Wheels:	One-Piece Carbon Fiber 19x9-1/2" Front, 20x13" Rear
Tires:	Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 Front: 235 35 (YR)19. Rear: 335 30 (YR)20.
Steering:	Rack and Pinion, Variable Electric Assist
Turns, Lock to Lock:	2.5
Turning Circle:	41.6 ft.
Suspension:	Front & Rear: Unequal Length Upper and Lower A-Arms, Coil Over Springs, Remote Reservoir-Adjustable Penske Coil-Over Shocks, Cab Controlled Air Lift, Anti-Roll Bar.

Standard Equipment

Includes:	Air Conditioning, Power Windows, Power Mirrors, Tilt-Steering, Cab-Controlled Front Air Lift, 10 Speaker Premium Audio, CD/DVD System w/ 7.5" DVD Screen, Full Time Rearview Camera, Navigation
Instrumentation:	300 mph Speedometer, 10,000 rpm Tachometer, Sequential Shift Lights, Horsepower Gauge, Oil Pressure, Water Temperature, Fuel Level, Voltage

General Data

Transmission:	7-Speed Manual H-Pattern or 7-Speed SMG Paddle Shift
Clutch:	Triple Disc Carbon Clutch
Wheels:	One-Piece Carbon Fiber, Standard
Dry Weight:	2,750 lbs.
Weight to Horsepower Ratio:	2.0 lbs/hp - New Production Car Record!
Weight Distribution F/R:	Front: 44% Rear: 56%
Wheel Base:	105.0"
Length:	174.4"
Width:	78.4"
Height:	43.0"
Ground Clearance:	4.0"

Accomodations

Seating Capacity:	2 Custom SSC Seats
Headroom:	38.5"
Seat Width:	2 x 19"
Leg Room:	47.0"
Seat Back Adjustment:	25o
Seat Travel:	6.0"

Tuatara Dynamics

Coefficient of Drag (Cd):	0.328
Frontal Area:	18.0 sq. ft.
Belly Pan:	Complete flat belly pan with rear Venturi tunnels.

Warranty Information

Basic Warranty:	2 Year / 24,000 Miles
Powertrain:	2 Year / 24,000 Miles
Rust-Through:	N/A