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SSC Ultimate Aero

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SSC Ultimate Aero
Overview
ManufacturerSSC North America
Production2004–2013
Body and chassis
ClassSports car (S)
Body style2-door coupé
LayoutRear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
DoorsButterfly
Powertrain
Engine
  • 2004: 6,200 cm3 supercharged V8
  • 2005: 6,300 cm3 supercharged V8
  • 2006: 6,300 cm3 supercharged V8
  • 2007: 6,400 cm3 twin-turbocharged V8
  • 2013: 6,900 cm3 twin-turbocharged V8
Electric motor2 liquid-cooled electric motors (Ultimate Aero EV)
Transmission3-speed automatic (for EV only)
5-speed manual (for SC/8T only)
6-speed manual (for TT only)
7-speed semi-automatic (for XT only)
Dimensions
Length4,475 mm[1]
Width2,100 mm[1]
Height1,092 mm[1]
Kerb weight1,270–1,292 g
Chronology
SuccessorSSC Tuatara

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 title of the production car speed record in the world, according to the Guinness World Records, from 2007 (when it was officially timed at 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.[2]

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, "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."

Development 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.

Technical specifications

  • Engine - Supercharged 6,200 cm3 Chevrolet Corvette C5-R V8[3]
  • Power - Initially 580 kW @ 690 rad/s as built in 2004. 680 kW @ 690 rad/s after 2005 upgrade.[4]
  • Torque - 860 N⋅m @ 610 rad/s as built in 2004. 1,050 N⋅m @ 610 rad/s after 2005 upgrade.[3]
  • Redline - 750 rad/s
  • Top speed - 105 m/s as built in 2004. 108 m/s after 2005 upgrade.[citation needed]
  • Dry mass - 1,230 g[4]

SSC Ultimate Aero SC/8T Number 2 (2005)

Wind tunnel testing indicated that the Ultimate Aero could theoretically reach a top speed of 123 m/s given appropriate transmission gear ratios, although the supplied transmission would result in 120 m/s at the car's redline.[5] The base Aero, however, had a theoretical top speed of about 105 m/s.[6] The Ultimate Aero accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 2.78 seconds,[7] slower than the Bugatti Veyron which achieves 0-100 km/h in 2.46 seconds, partially due to its AWD drivetrain.[8]

Technical specifications

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 g for the standard Aero. The SSC Ultimate Aero was the final version of the prototype, introduced in 2006. It had an increased engine displacement of 6,300 cm3 and increased boost of 100 kPa.

Technical specifications (Ultimate Aero)

2007–2008

The Ultimate Aero TT was a twin-turbocharged version of the Ultimate Aero. The 6-speed transmission was readjusted to increase the theoretical top speed to 440 km/h at 7200 rpm. Wheels on the base model are sized 460 mm at the front and 480 mm 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 1,300 g, and Ultimate version 1,250 g. 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.[citation needed] Later cars are expected to cost US$285,000.[9] Only 24 Ultimate Aero TTs were produced from 2006–2007. The Ultimate Aero TT made its international debut on the International Show Circuit in November 2006. The Ultimate Aero TT claimed the Guinness World Records for the fastest production car, after it was officially timed at 410 km/h in Washington.[10] For 2008, the Ultimate Aero received four updates:

  • New twin-turbocharged V8
  • New aluminium engine block
  • Standard HRE monoblock wheels
  • Azentek Atlas computer infotainment system[11]

Technical specification (2007 Ultimate Aero TT)

SSC Ultimate Aero TT

In 2009, SSC updated the Ultimate Aero TT, with the new version having an increase in power of 15% over the older model. SSC predicts a top speed of over 430 km/h is possible. In order to prevent the engine from overheating, airflow to the engine has been increased 20% with new carbon fibre louvres. The nose has been redesigned to make the car more aerodynamic, and the interior has been redesigned. The new Aero also has a new AeroBrake system, which is a spoiler which rises up to 200 mm when the brake is pressed.[12] This updated model reached a top speed of 415 km/h in a test, according to SSC.[13]

Technical specification (2009 Ultimate Aero TT)

  • Engine: twin-turbocharged 6,300 cm3 SSC V8[13]
  • Terminal power: 960 kW @ 640 rad/s[13]
  • Terminal torque: 1,500 N⋅m @ 640 rad/s[13]
  • Terminal angular velocity: 750 rad/s[13]
  • Terminal velocity: 415 km/h[13]
  • Dry mass: 1,250 g[13]
  • Length: 4,480 mm[13]
  • A 2009 SSC Ultimate Aero, albeit with the new prototype SSC Tuatara gearbox fitted, was able to complete six runs of 0-300 km/h from 15.1 to 15.8 seconds, according to SSC's gear ratio testing results.[14]

SSC Ultimate Aero EV

In 2009, SSC announced that they would be commencing production of the Ultimate Aero EV, an electrically-powered version of the Ultimate Aero. This car featured twin electric motors, claimed to be capable of producing 750 kW, and 1,085 N⋅m of torque through a three-speed automatic transmission.[15] SSC claimed that the car would be able to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 2.5 seconds, and reach a top speed of 335 km/h.[15] However, the car never entered production.

2013

In 2013, SSC introduced the Ultimate Aero XT, which was a special version of the Ultimate Aero that was built to celebrate the end of its production. Five XTs were planned, but only one was built. They utilised some components that were designed for its Tuatara replacement; for example, the Ultimate Aero XT was fitted with SSC's new 6.9-litre all-aluminium twin-turbocharged V8 engine and a seven-speed paddle-shifted gearbox.[16]

Technical specification (Ultimate Aero XT)

  • Engine: twin-turbocharged 6,900 cm3 SSC V8[17]
  • Power: 970 kW @ 710 rad/s[17]
  • Torque: 1,360 N⋅m @ 710 rad/s[17]
  • Maximum angular velocity: 960 rad/s[17]
  • Top speed (theoretical)[17] - 120 m/s
  • Top speed (actual): 115 m/s
  • Drag coefficient: 0.357[17]
  • Dry mass: 1,270 g[17]
  • Kerb mass: 1,300 g[18]

Speed record

Simulation and testing at NASA's Langley Research Centre had shown the Ultimate Aero TT theoretically capable of attaining approximately 440 km/h,[19] sufficient to surpass the production car record-holding Bugatti Veyron's 408 km/h.

A 20 km stretch of Route 93 was closed on 21 March 2007 to allow SSC to test the Ultimate Aero TT, but the attempt was called off due to bad weather, and an effort the following day failed due to sub-optimal conditions, with test driver Rick Doria reporting wheelspin at speeds above 300 km/h.[20]

Six months later SSC announced they had established a new production car speed record of 410 km/h in West Richland, Washington on 13 September 2007. In accordance with FIA Speed Records rules it was an average of two runs in opposite directions, 414 km/h and 410 km/h. The results were verified by the Guinness World Records on 9 October 2007. SSC is currently one of only twenty-six car manufacturers in history to have held the record.

SSC also applied to Guinness for the world record for the highest power for an emissions-legal production car.[21]

Its record was broken on 4 July 2010 by the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, which reached a certified top speed of 430 km/h.[22]

References

  1. ^ a b c "SSC Ultimate Aero". Archived from the original on 2012-01-03. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  2. ^ Weiss, C.C. (2013-04-16). "And the world's fastest car is ... the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport (again)". Gizmag. Retrieved 2014-12-11.
  3. ^ a b "2004 SSC Aero SC/8T Specifications". Ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 2014-12-11.
  4. ^ a b Spinelli, Mike (2005-06-14). "Supercar for the Big-and-Tall Set: The SSC Aero SC/8T". Jalopnik. Retrieved 2014-12-11.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Shelby Supercars' old specification". Archived from the original on 2006-02-08.
  6. ^ "Shelby Supercars' old homepage". Archived from the original on 2006-02-08.
  7. ^ "Shelby SuperCars: Official Ultimate Aero Specifications".[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ "Autocar Magazine: Bugatti Veyron Road Test".
  9. ^ "SSC Ultimate Aero TT Supercar Up For Bids On eBay". Archived from the original on 2008-02-07. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Simona (2006-08-20). "2007 SSC Ultimate Aero TT". Top Speed. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  11. ^ "Three Changes Announced for the Ultimate Aero in 2008". Archived from the original on 2008-07-05.
  12. ^ Phillips, Drew (2008-12-16). "Updated SSC Ultimate Aero boasts 104 hp (78 kW; 105 PS) over the old 2007 model, claimed top speed of 267 mph (430 km/h)". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2010-10-11.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h "SSC Ultimate Aero". SSC North America. Archived from the original on 2014-12-05. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  14. ^ "Home of the Tuatara & Ultimate Aero". SSC North America. 2007-09-13. Archived from the original on 2012-03-01. Retrieved 2012-05-29.
  15. ^ a b "2009 SSC Ultimate Aero EV Specifications". Ultimatecarpage.com. 2009-01-26. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  16. ^ Vijayenthiran, Viknesh (2012-08-03). "SSC Sending Out Ultimate Aero With Tuatara-Powered XT". Motor Authority. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g "SSC Announces Limited Production of Five Ultimate Aero XT's". SSC North America. 2012-08-12. Archived from the original on 2012-08-06. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  18. ^ http://www.supercars.net/cars/3339.html
  19. ^ "SSC Sets Date for Top Speed Record Attempt - Automotive News and Motorsports News at Fast-Autos.net!". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
  20. ^ "SSC confident Ultimate Aero TT will be will be world's fastest soon - Autoblog". Archived from the original on 2007-03-28. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
  21. ^ "It's Official: SSC's Ultimate Aero Speed Record is Validated by Guinness World Records" (PDF) (Press release). Shelby SuperCars. October 9, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 3, 2010. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
  22. ^ Abuelsamid, Sam (2010-04-07). "Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport sets land speed record at 267.81 mph (431.00 km/h)! — Autoblog". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
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