SSC Aero

Infobox Automobile


name = SSC Ultimate Aero TT
manufacturer = Shelby Super Cars
aka =
production = 2006 to date
(25 to be produced)
assembly =
predecessor =
successor =
body_style = 2-door coupe
seat_height =
layout = Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
platform =
engine = 6.35 L twin-turbocharged V8
transmission = 6-speed transmission
wheelbase = auto in|105.2
length = auto in|176.2
width = auto in|82.7
height = auto in|43.0
weight = auto lb|2750
fuel_capacity =
related =
designer = Jerod ShelbyThe 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, [Originally appeared in 2004 under the name "Aero SC/8T".] is currently the fastest production car in the world, with a fastest recorded speed of Auto km/h|413. [http://www.shelbysupercars.com/press.php Shelby Supercars' press release] ] 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. [cite web |url=http://www.shelbysupercars.com/downloads/gwr-certificate.pdf |title=Guinness World Records certificate |accessdate=2007-12-31 |format=PDF]

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.Fact|date=November 2007

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.

pecifications (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 convert|2850|lb|0|abbr=on for the standard Aero. For the Ultimate Aero, weight is further reduced to convert|2640|lb|0|abbr=on 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. [http://web.archive.org/web/20060208144938/www.shelbysupercars.com/specifications.asp Shelby Supercars' old specification] ]

The engine in the base Aero model is a supercharged convert|382|cuin|L|2|abbr=on|lk=on V8 engine rated at convert|787|hp|kW|0|abbr=on|lk=on at 6600 rpm and convert|736|ftlbf|Nm|0|abbr=on at 5800 rpm, with the supercharger at 8 psi and running on 91 octane gasoline. The Ultimate Aero has increased engine displacement of convert|387|cuin|L|2|abbr=on and increased boost of 14 psi, resulting in convert|1046|hp|kW|0|abbr=on at 6950 rpm and convert|821|ftlbf|Nm|0|abbr=on at 6200 rpm, running on 91 octane gasoline.

Wind tunnel testing indicates that the Ultimate Aero could theoretically reach a top speed of convert|273|mph|0|abbr=on given appropriate transmission gear ratios, although the supplied transmission would result in convert|259.8|mph|0|abbr=on at the car's redline. The base Aero, however, should "only" reach about convert|236|mph|0|abbr=on. [http://web.archive.org/web/20060208144945/www.shelbysupercars.com/default.asp Shelby Supercars' old homepage] ] The Ultimate Aero accelerates from 0-60 mph in 2.78 seconds [ [http://www.shelbysupercars.com/car-specs.php "Shelby SuperCars: Official Ulimate Aero Specifications"] ] , second only to the Bugatti Veyron which achieves 0-60mph in 2.46 seconds due to its four-wheel drive system. [ [http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Bugatti-Veyron-8.0-W16/217427/ "Autocar Magazine: Bugatti Veyron Road Test"] ]

pecifications (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 Auto bhp|1183|0 at 6950 rpm and Auto ft.lbf|1094|0 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. [ [http://www.shelbysupercars.com/car-specs.php Car specifications] ] 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 convert|2850|lb|abbr=on, and Ultimate version convert|2750|lb|abbr=on. 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. [cite web |url=http://news.windingroad.com/auto-news/ssc-ultimate-aero-tt-supercar-up-for-bids-on-ebay/ |title=SSC Ultimate Aero TT Supercar Up For Bids On eBay |accessdate=2007-12-31] 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.

pecifications (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 [ [http://www.shelbysupercars.com/news-030308.php Three Changes Announced for the Ultimate Aero in 2008] ] 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.

Ultimate Aero EV

SSC announced the production of the Ultimate Aero EV, an electrical version of the supercar. [ [http://www.carcentral.com.au/200807172215/hybrid/electric/worlds-fastest-production-car-goes-electric.html World’s fastest production car goes electric | Hybrid/Electric | Carcentral.com.au ] ] 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. [ [http://www.shelbysupercars.com/news-071208.php SSC 'Going Green' In New SuperCar Development] ]

peed 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 convert|12|mi|km|0|sing=on 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 convert|253.5|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on. Simulation and testing at NASA's Virginia facility had shown that the Ultimate Aero TT should be capable of approximately Auto mph|273. [cite web |url=http://www.fast-autos.net/news/111/ |title=SSC Sets Date for Top Speed Record Attempt - Automotive News and Motorsports News at Fast-Autos.net! |accessdate=2007-12-31] 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 Auto mph|190. [cite web |url=http://www.gadgets.autoblog.com/2007/03/22/ssc-confident-ultimate-aero-tt-will-be-will-be-worlds-fastest-so/ |title=SSC confident Ultimate Aero TT will be will be world's fastest soon - Autoblog |accessdate=2007-12-31] Despite the failure of the attempt, the car still reached convert|242|mi/h|km/h|-1|abbr=on

SSC announced they had broken the speed record for the world's fastest production car with convert|256.15|mi/h|km/h|2|abbr=on 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 convert|257.41|mi/h|km/h|2|abbr=on and the return trip convert|254.88|mi/h|km/h|2|abbr=on, with the average beating the Bugatti Veyron's top speed of Auto mph|253|2. 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. [ [http://www.shelbysupercars.com/news-100907.php It's Official: SSC's Ultimate Aero Speed Record is validated by Guinness World Records] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.shelbysupercars.com/ultimate-aero.php SSC Aero at the official website]
* [http://www.modifiedle.com/features/feature_014.html Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine article on World Record 257 MPH run]
* [http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/2005/11/23/fastest-american-cars-cx_dl_1128feat_ls.html Forbes Magazine article]
* [http://www.supercars.net/cars/2952.html SUPERCARS.NET article (on SSC Aero SC/8T concept)]