As we reported here two months ago, after the SSC Tuatara having claimed for itself the title of fastest car in the world with a record of 532.93 km/h peak and 517.16 km/h average between the two passes, it was discovered that after all… it hadn't reached those values. An exhaustive analysis of the record video demonstrated this.
From there, a series of episodes followed — some of it silly — involving statements from various parties (including SSC North America) that sometimes contradicted each other, and even more in-depth analysis of the record-setting video.
It would all culminate in a declaration by Jerod Shelby, founder and director of SSC North America, saying that they would repeat the record-setting to eliminate, forever, all doubts about the Tuatara.
No sooner said than done. On December 12th and 13th, SSC North America put the SSC Tuatara back on the road to overcome the 500 km/h barrier and assume the title of fastest car in the world, succeeding the Koenigsegg Agera RS.
take 2
It's no use anticipating the answer any longer. SSC Tuatara did not achieve that goal in this second attempt, having been afflicted by a series of problems that prevented them from achieving the feat. However, the potential to achieve this is definitely there, considering the results achieved and, above all, how they were achieved.Everything is explained in detail in a video posted by Robert Mitchell on his eponymous channel, one of the three main protagonists in the “dismantling” of SSC Tuatara's record attempt — the others being the well-known youtubers Shmee150 and Misha Charoudin. SSC North America invited the three to travel to the US to watch the new attempt live, but due to restrictions caused by the pandemic, only Robert Mitchell, a US citizen, managed to be present.
Synthesizing Mitchell's detailed description in the video, we learn that they used the same car as the first attempt — the first unit to be produced of the 100 announced — but this time, at the controls, was its future owner, who has some experience in competition. car.
The SSC Tuatara was seriously “artillated” electronically so that the recorded speed was effectively the speed achieved. Mitchell mentions the installation of five GPS systems, two of which coming from Racelogic, monitored by the head of the company himself — there could be no room for any doubt. The apparatus was such that the amount of wires became a problem, especially those that entered the engine compartment, preventing the correct closing of the hood, which ended up opening on some occasions.
Subscribe to our newsletter
On the 12th they were also treated to rain, which forced them to postpone all the tests scheduled for the 13th. Among the postponed tests were some training sessions for the new driver and owner, in order to familiarize himself with the car. which still had little contact. For that purpose, SSC technicians reduced the pressure of the two turbos of the 5.9 l V8, reason why it would not be debiting the announced 1770 hp.
Thus, on the 13th, the driver's training sessions and the achievement of the record were concentrated, which created additional problems. It's just that accelerating a car progressively to speeds of 300 mph (483 km/h) is not the same thing as sprints up to 100 km/h — it's a substantial effort for the entire vehicle, including the engine, which, like must imagine, with so much power, it generates substantial amounts of heat.
More than 400 km/h with less than two cylinders and reduced turbo pressure
It was precisely all that accumulated heat in the engine compartment that caused two of the V8's spark plugs to sag in the last attempt of the day to set the record. In other words, not only was the turbo pressure lower than desirable (it hadn't been reset), but the V8 ended the day running only with six cylinders.
This is where it gets interesting… Even “injured” as it was, the SSC Tuatara reached more than 400 km/h (404 km/h) having covered only half of the stipulated route, a point from which the driver realized that something wasn't right with the beast's heart.
Despite all the controversy surrounding the first attempt, there is no doubt that the SSC Tuatara has immense performance potential. Robert Mitchell, after what he saw live and in color, there is no doubt that the American hypersportsman is capable of obtaining the title of fastest car in the world, but…
… we will have to wait for the third attempt… which is already being planned.