On October 10, 2020, Oliver Webb pushed the SSC Tuatara to unprecedented speeds, a feat that will leave an indelible mark on automotive history.
Piloting the $1.9 million hypercar across a closed, seven-mile stretch of Nevada Highway 160, Webb set a new world record for the fastest production car, achieving an average speed of 316.11 mph over two one-way runs.
The faster of the two, clocked at 331.15 mph, obliterated the previous one-way mark of 284.6 mph, established by Koenigsegg on the same road in 2017.
The record-breaking performance hasn’t yet received official certification from Guinness World Records, though it adhered to the organization’s stringent requirements.
SSC Tuatara – The Perfect Stretch
Stretching between Las Vegas and Pahrump, Nevada, Highway 160 has become a proving ground for automotive excellence. Its length and straight layout make it ideal for high-speed tests. However, as Webb noted, the narrowness of the road presents unique challenges.
“Carmakers love this road because it’s long and straight, and there’s usually not much wind,” Webb said. “But the width of the road can be unnerving. There’s very little margin for error.”
From Obscurity to Recognition
Shelby Supercars (SSC) was founded in 1998 by Jerod Shelby in Richland, Washington, a town far removed from the global hubs of high-performance automotive manufacturing. Despite the modest beginnings, Shelby had bold aspirations.
“Nobody knew who we were,” Shelby admitted. “I decided that aiming for the top-speed record would be a way to get mentioned in the same sentence as Bugatti, Koenigsegg, and Ferrari.”
Shelby’s fascination with speed dates back to his childhood. He competed nationally in kart racing and pursued mechanical engineering at the University of Washington. Before venturing into automotive innovation, he co-founded a medical imaging company focused on early breast cancer detection. Earnings from that venture provided the financial foundation for SSC, where Shelby set out to build some of the fastest cars on Earth.
The Evolution of Speed
SSC’s first breakthrough came in 2007 with the Ultimate Aero, which reached 256.18 mph, dethroning the Bugatti Veyron. But Shelby was determined to raise the bar even higher. The vision for the Tuatara began with a goal to break the existing production car speed record of 277 mph, set by the Koenigsegg Agera RS in 2017.
“The first step was to beat the current record,” Shelby said. “If we achieved that and felt confident in the car’s capabilities, the next milestone would be crossing 300 mph. Ultimately, our long-term goal seven years ago was to hit 500 kilometers per hour (312 mph).”
The Tuatara’s success has brought Shelby’s dream to fruition, solidifying SSC’s reputation as a serious contender in the hypercar industry.
Aerodynamics and Lightweight Design
Designed by Jason Castriota, a veteran of Ferrari and Maserati, the Tuatara’s sleek and aerodynamic form is a testament to engineering excellence. Castriota’s experience at Pininfarina and Bertone was pivotal in crafting the hypercar’s low-drag shape.
The Tuatara’s chassis is built around a carbon-fiber monocoque, contributing to its ultra-lightweight dry weight of just 2,750 pounds. This careful balance between strength and weight allowed the car to achieve unmatched performance while maintaining structural integrity.
Powering the Record-Breaker
The Tuatara’s heart is a custom-built 5.9-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine developed by Tom Nelson of Nelson Racing Engines. The powerplant produces a staggering 1,750 horsepower on E85 fuel and 1,341 lb-ft of torque, with a redline of 8,800 rpm.
Nelson described the engineering process as uncompromising. “Jerod had very specific goals. He wanted a car that was drivable, reliable, and had a unique sound while delivering incredible power.”
Achieving this balance required innovative approaches to every component:
- A set of eight titanium connecting rods costs over $10,000, and they provide the strength needed to handle immense forces.
- Inconel, a superalloy also used in SpaceX rocket engines, was employed for exhaust valves and turbine wheels due to its ability to withstand extreme heat and pressure.
- Electrical connections were outfitted with machined gold pins, ensuring resistance to corrosion and long-term reliability.
The result is an engine that performs with surgical precision. “At higher revs, around 7,800 rpm, it sounds like a symphony,” Nelson said. “Even idle, it has a character I’ve never heard before.”
Advanced Technology for Ultimate Control
The SSC Tuatara’s performance isn’t just about raw power; it’s also a triumph of advanced technology. Chris Muzio of Danzio Performance Engineering developed a high-tech traction control system that integrates seamlessly with the car’s transmission. In track mode, gear shifts occur under 100 milliseconds, perfectly timed with the engine’s peak performance.
The Tuatara features an array of sensors to monitor and optimize its performance, including:
- 11 exhaust gas temperature sensors
- 4 oxygen sensors
- 7 pressure sensors measuring manifold pressure, turbo pressure, and exhaust turbine pressure
This sophisticated setup ensures that every aspect of the car’s operation is meticulously monitored and adjusted for maximum efficiency.
SSC Tuatara Hits 300+ MPH
Breaking the 300 mph barrier was more than just a technical challenge; it was a symbolic milestone for Shelby and his team. Webb’s ability to push the Tuatara to 331.15 mph on a narrow public road is a testament to the car’s engineering and the driver’s skill.
Webb acknowledged the risks involved in such an endeavor. “Driving at those speeds, even in a car as capable as the Tuatara, is nerve-wracking,” he said. “The road’s imperfections and the narrow shoulders don’t leave much room for error.”
Despite the challenges, Webb’s achievement places the Tuatara in a league of its own, outpacing competitors like the Bugatti Chiron, which reached 304.773 mph in 2019, and the Koenigsegg Agera RS.
Talking about the speed records,
Redefining the Limits
The SSC Tuatara’s record-breaking run represents more than just a technical achievement—it’s a statement about what’s possible when vision, innovation, and determination converge. For Jerod Shelby and his team, it’s the culmination of years of hard work and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
By setting a new standard for speed, the Tuatara cements its place in automotive history, elevating SSC to the forefront of the hypercar industry and proving that even a company from a small town in Washington can compete with the giants of the automotive world.
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