SSC Tuatara breaks world speed record

The 1305kW (1750hp) V8-powered SSC Tuatara supercar has set a phenomenal top speed of 508.73km/h (316.11mph) in the United States this week to claim the title of world’s fastest production vehicle.

The exotic Tuatara has dethroned the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, which unofficially held the record when it clocked 490.48km/h (304.77mph) in 2019 at parent company Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessien test track in Germany.

However, that attempt was only in one direction and therefore the official Guinness World Record of “world’s fastest production vehicle” was technically held by the Koenigsegg Agera RS with 447.19km/h (277.87mph).

All arguments can be put to rest for now, following the SSC Tuatara’s astonishing 500km/h-plus achievement on a public highway, State Route 160 in Nevada, where traffic was rerouted and at times stopped to allow the officially sanctioned speed record attempt.

The $2.26 million ($US1.6m) American supercar is powered by a monstrous twin-turbocharged 5.9-litre V8 generating 1305kW when using a street-legal E85 ethanol fuel mix.

In achieving the speed record, the SSC Tuatara had to use street tyres and also took full advantage of its light weight (1247kg) and incredibly sleek form (0.279Cd drag coefficient).

As per Guinness World Record rules, the final figure of 508.73km/h (316.11mph) was an average of two runs, in opposite directions.

Driver Oliver Webb set one run at 484.53km/h (301.07 mph) and followed up with an incredible 532.93km/h (331.15mph).

Webb said the Tuatara was “still pulling well” and didn’t feel as though it had run out of steam during the test, which was held not far from Las Vegas.

“There was definitely more in there. And with better conditions, I know we could have gone faster,” said Webb.

"The crosswinds are all that prevented us from realising the car’s limit,” he added.

It now throws down the gauntlet to a select few rivals capable of challenging the speed attempt, such as the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut and Hennessey Venom F5.

Bugatti has said it will no longer challenge for the title of world’s fastest production vehicle.

SSC’s hugely expensive attempt, which involved a helicopter, a jet plane, 15 satellites along with loads of terrestrial measuring equipment, delivers bragging rights, global media coverage and, potentially, sales success.

Just 100 of the insane $2.2m road cars will be built. And if you want the high-downforce Track Pack, the price rises to $2.7m ($US1.9m).

“America’s new claim to victory in the ‘land-based space race’ is going to be tough to beat,” said Jerod Shelby, CEO of SSC.

SSC has form when it comes to breaking world speed records, the SSC Ultimate Aero holding the title between 2007 and 2010, before the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport snatched it away.

It should also be noted that in 1971 the Australian-made Ford XY Falcon GT Phase 3 GTHO was considered the world's fastest ‘four-door’ production car.

While the SSC Tuatara’s world speed record attempt was conducted using Guinness World Record regulations, some US media outlets are reporting Guinness hasn’t officially given the run the green light.