[imagesource: SCC North America]

The coveted title of ‘World’s Fastest Production Car’ has once again changed hands, and contrary to prediction, it wasn’t snapped up by a Bugatti.

There’s a reason Bugatti was pegged as the favourite.

In September last year, it was breaking records with its Bugatti Chiron, topping out at 304,77mph (around 490km/h) during a run at a test track at Ehra-Lessien, Germany.

It turns out, however, that it isn’t as fast as the SSC North America Tuatara, which on Saturday, October 10, 2020, set a stunning new mark, clocking in two consecutive high-speed runs of 301,07 mph and 331,15 mph (in opposite directions within one hour) for an official and incredible top speed of 316,11 mph.

That’s around 508km/h, folks. Try to wrap your head around that. I’m still processing.

Here’s more on the SCC Tuatara via Forbes:

The record-setting run took place on a seven-mile stretch of State Route 160 near Pahrump, Nevada with professional race driver Oliver Webb behind the wheel.

Some history before we take a look at the speed test:

Watch that speedometer climb:

In addition to the title of ‘Fastest Production Vehicle’, the SSC Tuatara set a few more records:

• 503km/h – “Fastest Flying Mile on a Public Road”
• 516km/h – “Fastest Flying Kilometer on a Public Road”
• 532km/h – “Highest Speed Achieved on a Public Road”

I can’t imagine the competition is pleased.

SSC North America, on the other hand, is gearing up for production with the aim of producing 100 examples of the car complete with a $1,9 million price tag.

The Tuatara uses a twin-turbocharged 5,9-litre V8 engine with a flat-plane crank, designed to deliver 1 750 hp using E85 fuel which sends power through a CIMA seven-speed computerised manual transmission and automatic MAT system.

Jerod Shelby, the man behind SSC North America, had this to say:

“We validate our engineering by building a car capable of going 330 mph. We validate our passion by accomplishing this, despite years of setbacks and challenges,” Shelby continued. “And we validate our values by making sure Oliver’s safety was the first and foremost important goal of the day.”

At those speeds, Oliver needed all the safety he could get.

[source:forbes]