Ladies and gentlemen, the Koenigsegg Agera RS is no longer the fastest car in the world — considering only production models. The Swedish model's 447.19 km/h was largely beaten by the new world speed record holder, the SSC Tuatara.
On the same road, State Route 160, in Las Vegas (USA), where in November 2017 the Agera RS made history, it was now SSC Tuatara's turn to try their luck.
The attempt to set a new record for the world's fastest production car took place on October 10, with professional driver Oliver Webb at the wheel of the successor to the SSC Ultimate Aero — the model that in 2007 held this record.
The maximum speed exceeds the record
In order for the speed record in a production car to be valid, there are several criteria that have to be met. The car must be approved for use on public roads, the fuel cannot be for competition, and even the tires must be approved for road use.
But the criteria for establishing this record do not stop there. Two passages are needed, in opposite directions. The speed that must be taken into account results from the average of the two passes.
That said, despite the crosswinds that were felt, the SSC Tuatara recorded 484.53 km/h on the first pass and on the second pass 532.93 km/h(!) . Therefore, the new world record is for 508.73 km/h.
According to Oliver Webb, it was still possible to do better “the car continued to progress with determination”.
In between, there were even more records that were broken. The SSC Tuatara is now the world's fastest production car in the “first mile launched”, recording 503.92 km/h. And it is also the fastest car in the world in the “first kilometer launched”, with a record of 517.16 km/h.
It goes without saying that the absolute top speed record now also belongs to the SSC Tuatara, thanks to the aforementioned 532.93 km/h.
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In a statement, SSC North America made it known that to record this record attempt, a GPS measurement system was used using 15 satellites and all procedures were verified by two independent inspectors.
The power of the fastest car in the world
Under the hood of the SSC Tuatara, we find a V8 engine with a capacity of 5.9 l, capable of reaching 1770 hp when powered with E85 — gasoline (15%)+ethanol (85%). When the fuel used is «normal», the power drops to a colossal 1350 hp.
The production of the SSC Tuatara is limited to 100 units and prices start at 1.6 million dollars, reaching up to two million dollars if they choose the High Downforce Track Pack, which increases the model's downforce.
To these amounts — if you are interested in bringing one to Portugal — don't forget to add our taxes. Maybe then they'll be able to hit another record... much less desirable, of course.
Update October 20 at 12:35 pm — A record video has been posted. To see it follow the link:
I want to see the SSC Tuatara hit 532.93 km/h