SSC Ultimate Aero


Ultimate Aero is a mid engine sports car produced by the U.S automaker Shelby Super Cars (SSC). Ultimate Aero has claimed the title of the fastest production car in the world with a top speed of 256 mph (412 kmph). It is higher end performance car whose production is only limited. The Aero model was designed by the Jerold Shelby who took seven years to design this car. He is also the founder of Shelby Super Cars Company.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EInoZcQFdlQ]

Much importance is given to the style of the Ultimate Aero. Just like the doors of Saleen S7, Ferrari and McLaren SLR, it also includes the butterfly doors to make it as an eye catching one. The body of the ultimate aero is made of titanium and carbon fiber with a view to minimize the weight. The weight of an Ultimate Aero is only 1,197 kilograms (2640 lb) which is further less than a standard Aero model which weighs approximately 1,293 kilogram (2,850 lb).

When compared to a standard Aero model, an Ultimate Aero do not have any trunk space, air conditioning system, video screen, audio system with ten speakers, navigation system and back-up camera. This is removed with a view to reduce the weight and thereby increasing the speed. This is the major drawback of the Ultimate Aero when compared to its competitors Bugatti Veyron, Koenigsegg CCR and Mclaren F1. It is this luxury element which differentiates Ultimate Aero from its competitors.

The latest Ultimate Aero (2008 model) has an astonishing 1,183 hp at a 6950 rpm. It has a 6.35 litre engine. Previously ultimate aero had a supercharged engine which was replaced by a twin turbocharger engine in the 2007 model.

Theoretically the car could reach the top speed of 273 mph (437 km/h) at 7200 rpm based on approximate gear shifting ratios. Wind tunnel testing has reached these numerical. However the acceleration rate of Ultimate Aero is less than its competitor Bugatti Veyron. Veyron takes only 2.5 seconds to reach 0-100 kmph where as Ultimate Aero takes 2.78 seconds to reach this speed. The design is made in such a way that it can use 91-octane gasoline.

On March 22, 2007 Shelby Super Cars company had undergone a speed measuring test to check the speed potential of the Ultimate Aero. The ultimate aim of SSC was to replace the Bugatti Veyron as the world’s fastest car. During the speed test, Bugatti Veyron could able to reach 254.3 mph (409 kmph). According to theory, the car could reach a top speed of 273 mph (437 km/h). The first attempt on March 22, 2007 failed to break the record due to some technological limitations. Regardless of the attempt being a failure, the car could still reach a top speed of 242 mph.

On September 13, 2007, SSC made another attempt and this time they had broken the record. According to the rules of Guinness Book of World Records, the car which travels in a particular direction should turn and make a pass in the opposite direction with in an hour. The average speed of the car on both the direction is calculated as the top speed. This is done to eliminate the factors such as favorable weather or road conditions.

Based on the rules, the Ultimate Aero became the world’s fastest production car with 257.15 mph beating the record of Bugatti Veyron’s top speed of 253 mph. On October 9, 2007, the authorities of Guinness World Records declared SSC’s Ultimate Aero as the world’s fastest production car.

In spite of to the record of world’s fastest car, SSC has also applied to Guinness Book for the automobile having highest emissions-legal horsepower. SSC is the only U.S company which attained the title of world’s fastest production car after the Ford GT40. Ford GT40 had attained this title in 1967.

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