The SSC Tuatara Hypercar has set a new production-car speed record, surpassing the former 277.87 mph (447.19km/h) benchmark previously set by the Koenigsegg Agera RS in 2017.

Driven by Dr Larry Caplin at the Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds at Space Florida’s LLF, Kennedy Space Centre, the $1.6 million Tuatara hypercar, which produces 1,750 horsepower, achieved an average speed of 282.9 MPH (455.3km/h).

Racelogic was brought in to verify the high-test runs, following a previously dismissed attempt in October 2020, where the Tuatara reported an astounding pair of runs averaging 316.11 MPH (508.73 km/h).

After being unable to verify the first claim, SSC engineer and company founder Jarod Shelby decided to take a second attempt at the record. Transparency for the second attempt included GPS and measurement equipment from four separate companies, each of which brought its own staff to install and monitor the equipment without involvement from SSC North America.

“We did our research, and Racelogic seems to be the most respected GPS measurement company out there,” Shelby added, “so we wanted them to be the third party to release all the data and verify the results.”

Racelogic did just that, measuring the below results:

• Run 1, Northbound: Max Speed reached = 279.7 MPH (450.1km/h)
• Run 2, Southbound: Max speed reached = 286.1 MPH (460.4km/h)
• Two-way average: 282.9 MPH (455.3km/h)

Speed and data were collected with a Racelogic VBOX 3i 100Hz GNSS system, accurate to +0.06MPH, and traceable to ISO standards for speed measurements.

Perhaps most impressive is that Caplin is not a professional driver, rather, he is the first customer to buy a Tuatara.

While October’s attempt was driven by racer Oliver Webb, Caplin asked to take the wheel himself for the most recently try. Shelby remembered questioning him, saying “You want to throw in the variable of a customer driving, and one who has spent almost no time at 200 MPH (321.87kmh)?” According to Shelby, Caplin’s response was simply, “you know, what if we pull it off? How big would that be?”

To get Caplin used to the vehicle, they conducted training sessions in Florida. To begin with, the car’s engine, a 5.9-litre twin-turbo V-8 making 1,242 ft-lbs of torque, was detuned for substantially less output. As Caplin become more comfortable, power was continually added back in.

Supposedly, the performance was completed using the car’s full power only made available at the middle of seventh gear, which Shelby says leaves room for considerable improvement.

“We already have plans of going back and feel that, if we give him full power now, we have a really good shot at hitting 300mph (482.8 km/h).”

Source: SSC North America | Racelogic Certifies SSC Tuatara Record Speed

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23 June 2021