SSC Ultimate Aero

{{short description|American sportscar manufactured by SSC North America}}

{{Infobox automobile

| manufacturer = SSC North America

| image = SSC Ultimate Aero TT - 1.jpg

| production = 2004–2013

| successor = SSC Tuatara

| doors = Butterfly

| engine = {{ubl

|General Motors LS-based small-block based

|2004: 6,200 cc supercharged V8

|2005: 6,300 cc supercharged V8

|2006: 6,300 cc supercharged V8

|2007: 6,300 cc twin-turbocharged V8

|SSC designed

|2009: 6,300 cc twin-turbocharged V8

|2013: 6,900 cc twin-turbocharged V8

}}

| motor = 2 liquid-cooled electric motors (Ultimate Aero EV)

| transmission = 3-speed automatic (for EV only)
5-speed manual (for SC/8T only)
6-speed manual (for TT only)
7-speed automated manual (for XT only)

| class = Sports car (S)

| body_style = 2-door coupé

| layout = Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive

| platform =

| length = {{convert|4475|mm|1|abbr=on}}

| width = {{convert|2100|mm|1|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://www.shelbysupercars.com/ultimate-aero.php|title=SSC Ultimate Aero|access-date=2012-02-17|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103104447/http://shelbysupercars.com/ultimate-aero.php|archive-date=2012-01-03}}

| height = {{convert|1092|mm|1|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|1270-1292|kg|0|abbr=on}}

| related =

| sp = uk

}}

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 world production car speed record title, according to the Guinness World Records, from 2007 (when it was officially timed at {{cvt|410|km/h|mph|0|order=flip|disp=comma}}) 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.gizmag.com/worlds-fastest-car-bugatti-veyron/27079/ |title=And the world's fastest car is ... the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport (again) |publisher=Gizmag |date=2013-04-16 |first=C.C. |last=Weiss |access-date=2014-12-11}}

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 (no relation to Carroll 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."

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.

Specifications:{{cite web|title=2004 SSC Aero SC/8T Specifications|url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/spec/2068/SSC-Aero-SC-8T.html|access-date=2014-12-11|publisher=Ultimatecarpage.com}}{{cite web|last=Spinelli|first=Mike|date=2005-06-14|title=Supercar for the Big-and-Tall Set: The SSC Aero SC/8T|url=http://jalopnik.com/121443/supercar-for-the-big-and-tall-set-the-ssc-aero-sc8t|access-date=2014-12-11|publisher=Jalopnik}}

Engine - Supercharged {{cvt|6187|cc|cuin|1|abbr=on}} LS1-based V8
Power - {{cvt|911|hp|kW|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} at 6,600 rpm
Torque - {{cvt|771|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} at 5,800 rpm
Redline - 7200 rpm
Top speed - {{cvt|249|mph|kph|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} (claimed)
Dry weight - {{cvt|1,230|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}}

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

Wind tunnel testing indicated that the Ultimate Aero could theoretically reach a top speed of {{cvt|275|mph|km/h|0}} given appropriate transmission gear ratios, although the supplied transmission would result in {{cvt|268|mph|km/h|0}} at the car's redline.{{cite web|url=http://www.shelbysupercars.com/specifications.asp|title=Shelby Supercars' old specification|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060208144938/http://www.shelbysupercars.com/specifications.asp|archive-date=2006-02-08|url-status=usurped}} The base Aero, however, had a theoretical top speed of about {{cvt|234|mph|km/h|0}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.shelbysupercars.com/default.asp|title=Shelby Supercars' old homepage|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060208144945/http://www.shelbysupercars.com/default.asp|archive-date=2006-02-08|url-status=usurped}} The Ultimate Aero accelerates from 0–{{cvt|100|km/h|mph|0|order=flip}} in 2.78 seconds,{{cite web|url=http://www.shelbysupercars.com/car-specs.php|title=Shelby SuperCars: Official Ultimate Aero Specifications}}{{dead link|date=March 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} slower than the Bugatti Veyron which achieves 0–100 km/h in 2.46 seconds, partially due to its AWD drivetrain.{{cite web|url=http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Bugatti-Veyron-8.0-W16/217427/|title=Autocar Magazine: Bugatti Veyron Road Test}}

Specifications:

Engine - Supercharged 6,300 cc Chevrolet Corvette C5-R V8
Power - {{cvt|590|kW|hp|0}} at 6600 rpm
Torque - {{cvt|1,000|Nm|lbft|0}} at 5800 rpm
Redline - 7200 rpm
Max Speed - {{cvt|234|mph|km/h|0|order=flip}}{{citation needed|date=December 2014}}
Dry weight - {{cvt|1300|kg|lb|0}}

=2006=

File:SSC Ultimate Aero.jpg

File:SSC Ultimate Aero - 14505962939.jpg

File:SSC Ultimate Aero - 7940462386.jpg

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 {{cvt|1300|kg|lb|0}} 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 cc and increased boost to 100 kPa.

Specifications:

Engine: supercharged 6,300 cc Chevrolet Corvette C5-R V8
Power: {{cvt|1046|hp|kW|0|order=flip}} at 6950 rpm
Torque: {{cvt|821|lbft|Nm|0|order=flip}} at 6200 rpm
Redline: 7200 rpm
Top speed: {{cvt|400|km/h|mph|0}}{{citation needed|date=December 2014}}
Dry weight: {{cvt|1200|kg|lb|0}}

=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 {{cvt|440|km/h|mph|0}} at 7200 rpm. Wheels on the base model are sized {{cvt|460|mm|in|1}} at the front and {{cvt|480|mm|in|1}} 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 {{cvt|1300|kg|lb|0}}, and Ultimate version {{cvt|1250|kg|lb|0}}. 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.{{cite web|author=Claire F|date=2023|title=SSC Ultimate Aero TT|url=https://mostexpensivething.com/ssc-ultimate-aero/|access-date=2023-12-12|publisher=MET}} Later cars are expected to cost US$285,000.{{cite web|url=http://news.windingroad.com/auto-news/ssc-ultimate-aero-tt-supercar-up-for-bids-on-ebay/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207072646/http://news.windingroad.com/auto-news/ssc-ultimate-aero-tt-supercar-up-for-bids-on-ebay/|archive-date=2008-02-07|title=SSC Ultimate Aero TT Supercar Up For Bids On eBay|access-date=2007-12-31}}{{Update inline|date=October 2020|reason=}} Only 24 Ultimate Aero TTs were produced from 2006 to 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 {{cvt|410|km/h|mph|0}} in Washington.{{cite web|author=Simona|date=2006-08-20|title=2007 SSC Ultimate Aero TT|url=https://www.topspeed.com/cars/ssc/2007-ssc-ultimate-aero-tt/|access-date=2014-12-12|publisher=Top Speed}} 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{{cite web|url=http://www.shelbysupercars.com/news-030308.php|title=Three Changes Announced for the Ultimate Aero in 2008|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705171602/http://www.shelbysupercars.com/news-030308.php|archive-date=2008-07-05}}

Specifications:

Engine - twin-turbocharged 6,300 cc bored-out LS6
Power - {{cvt|1180|hp|kW|0|order=flip}} at 6950 rpm
Torque - {{cvt|961|ftlb|Nm|0|order=flip}} at 6150 rpm
Redline - 7200 rpm
Top speed - {{cvt|256.18|mph|km/h|2|order=flip}}
Dry weight - {{cvt|1250|kg|lb|0}}

=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 {{cvt|430|km/h|mph|0}} 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 {{cvt|200|mm|in|1}} when the brake is pressed.{{cite web|last=Phillips|first=Drew|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/16/updated-ssc-ultimate-aero-boasts-1287-hp-claimed-top-speed-of-2/|title=Updated SSC Ultimate Aero boasts {{cvt|104|hp|kW PS|0|order=flip}} over the old 2007 model, claimed top speed of {{cvt|267|mph|km/h|0|order=flip}}|publisher=Autoblog.com|date=2008-12-16|access-date=2010-10-11}} This updated model reached a top speed of {{cvt|415|km/h|mph|0}} in a test, according to SSC.{{cite web|title=SSC Ultimate Aero|url=http://www.sscnorthamerica.com/ultimate-aero.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205144736/http://www.sscnorthamerica.com/ultimate-aero.php|archive-date=2014-12-05|access-date=2014-12-12|publisher=SSC North America}}

Specifications:

Engine: twin-turbocharged 6,300 cc SSC V8
Power: {{cvt|1287|hp|kW|0|order=flip}} at 6100 rpm
Torque: {{cvt|1500|Nm|0}} at 6100 rpm
Redline: 7200 rpm
Top speed: {{cvt|257|mph|km/h|0|order=flip}}
Dry weight: {{cvt|1250|kg|lb|0}}

A 2009 SSC Ultimate Aero, albeit with the new prototype SSC Tuatara gearbox fitted, was able to complete six runs of 0–{{cvt|300|km/h|mph|0}} from 15.1 to 15.8 seconds, according to SSC's gear ratio testing results.{{cite web|url=http://www.sscnorthamerica.com/videos.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301045117/http://www.sscnorthamerica.com/videos.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-03-01|title=Home of the Tuatara & Ultimate Aero|publisher=SSC North America|date=2007-09-13|access-date=2012-05-29}}

=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 {{cvt|746|kW|hp|0}} and {{cvt|800|ftlb|Nm|0|order=flip}} of torque through a three-speed automatic transmission.{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/spec/4018/SSC-Ultimate-Aero-EV.html|title=2009 SSC Ultimate Aero EV Specifications|publisher=Ultimatecarpage.com|date=2009-01-26|access-date=2014-12-12}} SSC claimed that the car would be able to accelerate from 0–{{cvt|60|mph|km/h|0|order=flip}} in 2.5 seconds, and reach a top speed of {{cvt|335|km/h|mph|0}}. 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1078221_ssc-sending-out-ultimate-aero-with-tuatara-powered-xt|title=SSC Sending Out Ultimate Aero With Tuatara-Powered XT|publisher=Motor Authority|date=2012-08-03|access-date=2014-12-12|first=Viknesh|last=Vijayenthiran}}

Specifications{{cite web|date=2012-08-12|title=SSC Announces Limited Production of Five Ultimate Aero XT's|url=http://www.sscnorthamerica.com/news-080212.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806000306/http://www.sscnorthamerica.com/news-080212.php|archive-date=2012-08-06|access-date=2014-12-12|publisher=SSC North America}}{{Cite web|date=April 23, 2016|title=2007 SSC Ultimate Aero | SSC|url=http://www.supercars.net/cars/3339.html}}

Engine: twin-turbocharged 6,900 cc SSC V8
Power: {{cvt|1300|hp|kW||round=50|order=flip}} at 6800 rpm
Torque: {{cvt|1004|ftlb|Nm|0|order=flip}} at 6800 rpm
Redline: 9100 rpm
Top speed (theoretical) - {{cvt|268|mph|km/h|0|order=flip}}
Top speed (actual): {{cvt|257|mph|km/h|0|order=flip}}
Drag coefficient: {{Cd|0.357}}
Dry weight: {{cvt|1270|kg|lb|0}}
Kerb weight: {{cvt|1300|kg|lb|0}}

Speed record

Simulation and testing at NASA's Langley Research Center had shown the Ultimate Aero TT theoretically capable of attaining about {{cvt|273|mph|km/h|round=5|order=flip}},{{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! |access-date=2007-12-31 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927063415/http://www.fast-autos.net/news/111/ |archive-date = 2007-09-27}} sufficient to surpass the production car record-holding Bugatti Veyron's {{cvt|253|mph|km/h|0|order=flip}}.

A {{convert|12|miles|km|0|order=flip|adj=on|abbr=in}} stretch of Route 93 was closed on March 21, 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 {{cvt|190|mph|km/h|round=5|order=flip}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.gadgets.autoblog.com/2007/03/22/ssc-confident-ultimate-aero-tt-will-be-will-be-worlds-fastest-so/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328112818/http://www.gadgets.autoblog.com/2007/03/22/ssc-confident-ultimate-aero-tt-will-be-will-be-worlds-fastest-so/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-03-28 |title=SSC confident Ultimate Aero TT will be {{as written|wil|l be [sic]}} world's fastest soon - Autoblog |access-date=2007-12-31 }}

Six months later SSC announced they had established a new production car speed record of {{Convert|412.28|km/h|0|abbr=on}} in West Richland, Washington on September 13, 2007. In accordance with FIA Speed Records rules it was an average of two runs in opposite directions, {{Convert|414.31|km/h|0|abbr=on}} and {{Convert|410.24|km/h|0|abbr=on}}. The results were verified by the Guinness World Records on October 9, 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.{{Cite press release|title=It's Official: SSC's Ultimate Aero Speed Record is Validated by Guinness World Records |publisher=Shelby SuperCars |date=October 9, 2007 |url=http://www.shelbysupercars.com/press/Press%20Release%2010-09-2007.pdf |access-date=March 8, 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103092154/http://shelbysupercars.com/press/Press%20Release%2010-09-2007.pdf |archive-date=January 3, 2010 }}

Its record was broken on July 4, 2010, by the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, which reached a certified top speed of {{cvt|267|mph|km/h|0|order=flip}}.{{cite web|last=Abuelsamid |first=Sam |url=http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/04/bugatti-veyron-16-4-super-sport-sets-land-speed-record-at-267-81/ |title=Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport sets land speed record at {{Convert|267.81|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}! — Autoblog |publisher=Autoblog.com |date=2010-04-07 |access-date=2010-07-19}}