SSC Ultimate Aero
mid-engined sports car
The SSC Ultimate Aero is a mid-engined sports car that was produced by SSC North America (formerly known as Shelby SuperCars) from 2004 until 2013. The SSC Ultimate Aero held the world production car speed record title, according to the Guinness World Records, from 2007 (when it was officially timed at 255 mph, 410 km/h) until the introduction of the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport in 2010. In April 2013, the Guinness World Records temporarily disqualified the Veyron's record time for a period of five days due to concerns about electronic speed limiting changing the function of the car, but after investigation reinstated the Veyron as the record holder.
The SSC Ultimate Aero was not sold with electronic driver aids such as an anti-lock braking system or traction control system, as according to Jerod Shelby (no relation to Carroll Shelby), "Early design philosophy on the car was to make it a driver's car. I wanted a car that you not only throttled with your right foot but at times you could steer with your right foot and a sensor."
History
SSC Aero SC/8T Number 1 (2004)
The first SSC Aero prototype was completed in 2004 and began road testing in anticipation of the SSC Ultimate Aero production vehicle.
Specifications:
Engine - Supercharged 6,187 cc (377.6 cu in) LS1-based V8
Power - 679 kW (911 hp) at 6,600 rpm
Torque - 1,045 N⋅m (771 lb⋅ft) at 5,800 rpm
Redline - 7200 rpm
Top speed - 401 km/h (249 mph) (claimed)
Dry weight - 1,230 kg (2,712 lb)
SSC Ultimate Aero SC/8T Number 2 (2005)
Wind tunnel testing indicated that the Ultimate Aero could theoretically reach a top speed of 275 mph (443 km/h) given appropriate transmission gear ratios, although the supplied transmission would result in 268 mph (431 km/h) at the car's redline. The base Aero, however, had a theoretical top speed of about 234 mph (377 km/h). The Ultimate Aero accelerates from 0–62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.78 seconds, slower than the Bugatti Veyron which achieves 0–100 km/h in 2.46 seconds, partially due to its AWD drivetrain.
Specifications:
Engine - Supercharged 6,300 cc Chevrolet Corvette C5-R V8
Power - 590 kW (791 hp) at 6600 rpm
Torque - 1,000 N⋅m (738 lb⋅ft) at 5800 rpm
Redline - 7200 rpm
Max Speed - 377 km/h (234 mph)
Dry weight - 1,300 kg (2,866 lb)
2006
Styling of the Aero includes the use of butterfly doors similar to those found on the McLaren F1 and Ferrari Enzo. Carbon fibre and titanium are used throughout the car, helping to limit the weight to 1,300 kg (2,866 lb) for the standard Aero.
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