Since its debut in 2011, SSC’s Tuatara supercar has been reshaping the way people think about supercars – but a recent announcement has observers wowed even more.
Built around a twin turbo 7.0 liter V8 engine, the hyper-sculpted Tuatara recently finalized its engine’s test and validation scheme during a long day of dyno trials. While the tests did confirm SSC’s older claims that the Tuatara’s engine would reach 1350 horsepower, what came as a surprise was the engine’s 1280 pounds-per-foot of torque. Running on nothing more than 91 octane fuel, the dyno tests also revealed that the Tuatara’s engine could theoretically generate over 1,7000 HP, if it were stripped of all governors.
According to Jerod Shelby, founder and lead designer at SSC, “This is a proud moment for all that were part of the engineering team on this project. This amazingly versatile package has already shown that it can easily be driven on a daily basis in any climate or environment in the world and at the same time can roll out of the pit area onto a track like Nurburgring and easily handle any rigors that record will require. Versatile, efficient, docile, savage… Engineering success!”
Shelby has every reason to be excited about his new design. During the Tuatara’s tests, the engine was pushed to extremes that made its exhaust headers glow, running at 5500 rotations per minute for two periods of 5 minutes each. Even after this torture, a full teardown of the machine’s engine revealed it to be in nearly brand new condition, a testament to its impeccable design and engineering.
With “major assembly development entering [its] final phases” it seems like it’s only a matter of time before the Tuatara officially hits the road. I’d be willing to bet that as soon as it does, it’ll be challenging the Veyron for the title of World’s Fastest Car.
Images Courtesy of SSC
