The SSC Aero is an American-built mid-engine sports car by Shelby Super Cars. Its higher-performance limited production version, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT,[1] is currently the fastest production car in the world, with a fastest recorded speed of 413 km/h (257 mph).[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 Super Cars company are the brainchildren of Jerod Shelby, who spent over seven years designing the car. The basic Aero model is no longer produced, while, as of 2008, the Ultimate Aero costs about 620,000 dollars.[citation needed]
| Manufacturer | Shelby Super Cars |
|---|---|
| Production | 2006 to date (25 to be produced) |
| Body style(s) | 2-door coupe |
| Layout | Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Engine(s) | 6.35 L twin-turbocharged V8 |
| Transmission(s) | 6-speed transmission |
| Wheelbase | 105.2 in (2672.1 mm) |
| Length | 176.2 in (4475.5 mm) |
| Width | 82.7 in (2100.6 mm) |
| Height | 43.0 in (1092.2 mm) |
| Curb weight | 2750 lb (1247 kg) |
| Designer | Jerod Shelby |
[edit] Prototype (2004)
SSC Aero SC/8T prototype #001 was built using 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.
[edit] Specifications (2006)
Styling of the Aero includes the use of butterfly doors similar to those found on the SLR McLaren, Saleen S7, Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR, and the Enzo Ferrari. 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. For the Ultimate Aero, weight is further reduced to 2,640 lb (1,197 kg) by removing the air conditioning and trunk space altogether and marking the navigation system, 10-speaker audio/CD/DVD system, video/DVD screen and back-up camera as optional equipment.[4]
The engine in the base Aero model is a supercharged 382 cu in (6.26 L) V8 engine rated at 787 hp (587 kW) at 6600 rpm and 736 ft·lbf (998 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 1,046 hp (780 kW) at 6950 rpm and 821 ft·lbf (1,113 N·m) at 6200 rpm, running on 91 octane gasoline.[4]
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)[4] at the car's redline. The base Aero, however, should "only" reach about 236 mph (380 km/h).[5] The Ultimate Aero accelerates from 0-60 mph in 2.78 seconds[6], second only to the Bugatti Veyron which achieves 0-60mph in 2.46 seconds due to its four-wheel drive system.[7]
[edit] 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 1,183 bhp (882 kW) at 6950 rpm and 1,094 lb·ft (1,483 N·m) 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.[8] The 6-speed transmission is readjusted to increase the theoretical top speed to 273.75 mph (437 km/h) at 7200 rpm, however whether the vehicle is able to reach this speed is highly questionable and has never been tested.
Wheels on the base model are sized 18-inch at the front and 19-inch 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.[9] Only 24 Ultimate Aero TT's are going to be produced from 2006-2007. The Ultimate Aero TT made its international debut on the International Show Circuit in November 2006, culminating with the world record top-speed competition held in Wolfsburg, Germany in May 2007.
[edit] Specifications (2008)
In 2008 models of Ultimate Aero, 3 changes were made:
- All new aluminum engine block
- Standard HRE Monoblok wheels
- Azentek Atlas computer infotainment system[10]
The 08 Aero TT will be geared for 458 km/h (284.60 mph) but whether the car can reach this speed has yet to be tested.
[edit] Ultimate Aero EV
SSC announced the production of the Ultimate Aero EV, an electrical version of the supercar.[11] The released specifications include using 500 horsepower (373kW) electric motor, which SSC also exploring the potential of using 2 engines in 2 or 4 wheel drive configuration. SSC planned to produce its first prototype in February 2009, with production 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.[12]
[edit] 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 273 mph (439 km/h).[13] 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 190 mph (306 km/h).[14] 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 256.15 mph (412.23 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 257.41 mph (414.26 km/h) and the return trip 254.88 mph (410.19 km/h), with the average beating the Bugatti Veyron's top speed of 253 mph (407.16 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.
In addition to the fastest production car record, SSC also applied for world record of the highest emissions-legal horsepower production automobile.[15]
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