Record-shattering SSC Tuatara Secret Weapon Is LS Power: Track Time Tuesday
Shelby Supercars Tuatara nabbed title of ‘Fastest Production Vehicle’ with monster 1,750 hp LS-based V8 rocketing it to glory.
American automotive performance had a big moment this month when Shelby Supercars (SSC North America) won “Fastest Production Vehicle.” The winning hypercar is the mind-bending and asphalt-melting SSC Tuatara. As SSC is America’s first hypercar company, they naturally chose Chevy’s LS V8 platform to power their ride.
The SSC Tuatara reached supersonic speeds with an average speed of 316.11 mph and a top speed of at 331.15 mph! You can’t help but feel some rocket’s red glare seeing Shelby reclaim the title from Bugatti. It is the first time in ten years that a European car did not take the title.
Under the hood of the Tuatara is a 5.9-liter, twin-turbo flat-plane crank engine based on Chevy’s LS V8 platform. Built by Nelson Racing Engines, the SSC’s bespoke V8 pushes 1,750 horses on E85, and 1,350 horsepower on 91 Octane. All that power is transferred to a CIMA 7-Speed computerized manual transmission working with a state-of-the-art Automac AMT system that operates the engagement and selection of movement in the gearbox.
Professional driver Oliver Webb was behind the wheel of the Tuatara for the the record-breaking, gravity-defying drive. His scorching run took place on a seven-mile stretch of road in Nevada. Webb took the SSC Tuatara to an average speed of 316 mph following two consecutive high-speed test runs. In accordance with the rules, the car drove the same route in opposite directions, and had to run on street tires and non-race fuel.
But Shelby wasn’t content to just break one record, it smashed three world records: “Fastest Flying Mile on a Public Road” at 313.12 mph, “Fastest Flying Kilometer on a Public Road” at 321.35 mph, and “Highest Speed Achieved on a Public Road” at 331.15 mph.
“It’s been ten years since we held this record with our first car, the Ultimate Aero, and the Tuatara is leagues ahead. Its performance reflects the dedication and focus with which we pursued this achievement,” said Jerod Shelby, CEO of SSC. “We came pretty close to meeting the theoretical numbers, which is astonishing to do in a real world setting on a public road. America’s new claim to victory in the ‘land-based space race’ is going to be tough to beat.”
With Chevy’s LS-power behind so many supercars, we will certainly enjoy the show.
It is an incredible feat, and a well-deserved win. And we have to say, it is a pretty sexy ride. All that aero and carbon fiber comes together as a beautiful savage wolf in slick sports car clothing.
Top Gear was on hand to film the action. Check it out!
Photos: SSC North America
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