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Aero

ssc ultimate aero ev

Shelby SuperCars Makes Ultimate Aero EV Official, Plans 1000 HP Version

News of Shelby SuperCars' intention to build an electric version of its record breaking SSC Ultimate Aero TT leaked out yesterday prompting the company to make the news official. The company expects the SSC Ultimate Aero EV to be ready by late next year, saying that it will initially feature a 500 HP electric motor and revolutionary batteries capable of holding their charge for "years." Additionally, the vehicle will use a 6-speed transmission and once the first model is out, they'll be exploring ways to fit two of the motors into the engine bay, resulting in a 1000 HP model. It's tempting to call shenanigans on this, but when you've made the world's fastest car, beating huge German companies in the process, you suddenly gain a lot of credibility. SSC are keeping additional details hush hush, but click through to read their full performance claims. More »

ssc ultimate aero ev

Shelby SuperCars Wants Ultimate Aero EV To Be World's Fastest Electric Supercar

After making the fastest production car in the world, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT, Shelby SuperCars is now planning to make the world's fastest electric car. The Ultimate Aero EV will be based on the company's current Aero, but with the 1183 HP V8 replaced by an electric powertrain. The electric driveline would consist of either a 500 HP electric motor, or a 1000 HP setup using a pair of motors, possibly driving all four wheels. So where are they gonna get the juice for that sort of power? More »

jay leno's garage

Jay Leno Drives The 1183-HP SSC Ultimate Aero

Jay Leno may not be hosting Top Gear USA, but he still gets to test-drive all the latest and greatest cars for his Jay's Garage videos. His most recent spin around LA-LA-land was in none other than the fastest car in the world, the SSC Ultimate Aero. We know Jay is a fan of ridiculously overpowered cars, but we were a bit surprised to find he actually complements the 1183-HP beast's build quality. Though maybe he was just being polite, since Mr. Shelby (no relation to Carroll) was, you know, standing right there. Video after the jump. More »

transformers 2

Transformers 2 To Include Chevy Beat, Saab Aero-X Concept?

Can you believe it? There's only a year left until the release of Transformers 2, and both Ray and I can hardly control our robogasms. Today brings news we may see the inclusion of the Chevy Beat and the Saab Aero-X concepts in the movie. More »

jalopnik fantasy garage

Morgan Aero 8

Perhaps now you understand the troubles we go through to select the lineup of the first 50 cars to fill the stalls of the Jalopnik Fantasy Garage. We presented to you theCaparo T1, warts and all, for consideration of the garage without the benefit of flowery prose or over the top hyperbole — the car itself is hyperbole enough. We wanted to see how a game-changing supercar would stand up to the harsh scrutiny of an unsoftened voting block because frankly, we're tired of everything getting in so easily. This is about whittling things down to a sharpened point, debating the merits and pitfalls of some of the greatest mechanical symphonies ever built, this should be a knock down drag out fight to get into the garage — that is unless we're talking about the Morgan Aero 8. More »

found on ebay

Aerocoupe Grand Prix And Monte Carlo

Always wanted an "Aero Wars" muscle car from the early '70s like the Plymouth Roadrunner Superbird, or the Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II, but have never been able to afford one? Well, if you desire an attainable NASCAR homologation special, how about one of these GM G-body specials from the '80s? What we have here is an '86 Pontiac Grand Prix Aerocoupe and an '87 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe, each for sale on eBay. Now, these may not be the most desirable cars right now, but give 'em 20 years and who knows how much they'll be worth.

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found on ebay

Faster Than A Veyron, And Yours At Half The Price!

Not only can you buy rusted-out hulks on eBay Motors, you can score yourself a brand new SSC Aero, with a Buy It Now price of a way-cheaper-than-Veyron $585,899. As we all know, this thing is the fastest production car in the world, which should be good for bragging rights next time your Veyron-driving buddies are feeling too cocky. We have a few questions about the pricing, though. First, when you're looking at well over a half-mil, do you suppose it might be possible to skip the K-Mart-style $899 at the end? Price the damn thing at $586K or $585K and be done with it! Then there's the starting bid of just one dollar below the Buy It Now... with the reserve not met. What's the point? [eBay Motors]


geneva motor show

Morgan LifeCar Up Close and Personal

Even though we already saw the details of the Morgan LifeCar concept just a couple of weeks ago, Geneva is the first time it's been on display for all to see, and it's strangely delicate. The hydrogen fuel cell-powered LifeCar is a concept directed at a possible future for the builder of ash-framed always-been-retro sports cars. The exterior design follows that history, and the interior, while beautiful can easily be described as brutal in is cleanliness. Steam-bent plywood covered in hand stitched leather, a wood-rimmed steering wheel and a single gauge in the speedometer all find their way inside the LifeCar. It feels as though Morgan decided the juxtapose the high tech power train against an elegantly simple yet handsome interior.


down on the street bonus edition

Way-Out Willys Gave 'em All a Treat In Hyannis, MA

A day without a Johnny Otis reference is like a day without sunshine. And, speaking of days without sunshine, how about Hyannis, Massachusetts, in the wintertime? That's where sharp-eyed reader UDMan spotted these two seriously cool Willys machines. After checking out the gallery, make the jump to hear what UDMan has to say about these cars.


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speed record

Guinness Verifies Shelby SuperCars' Production Speed Record

Sorry Bugatti. The dark-beer company that's been tracking the best, fastest and biggest — ever since the company's managing director, Sir Hugh Beaver first argued over which was the fastest game bird in Europe — Guinness World Records has verified the SSC Ultimate Aero as the "Fastest Production Car." As we reported recently, Driver Chuck Bigelow, 71, took SSC's Ultimate Aero for two passes on highway 221 in Washington state, the first at 257.45 mph, the second at 254.92 mph, for an official record speed of 256.19 mph. That supersedes the Bugatti Veyron's still-unofficial time of 254 mph, as noted by Car and Driver and Top Gear's James May. Will Bugatti respond, or will the time stand until Koenigsegg or McLaren get serious about taking a run at 270 with a new pair of cars? Watch for an arms race on a flat stretch of road near (or not so near) you. [Source: Shelby SuperCars]

speed record

SSC Ultimate Aero Top Speed Run, Now on Video

When Shelby Super Cars' Ultimate Aero made its potentially record-breaking top-speed run in Washington state last week, the company came prepared. A/V geeks set up multiple cameras to catch the twin-turbo, 1183 hp air cutter as it hit a top average speed of 255.83 mph. We've yet to hear from the dark beer types who keep such records, but we're assuming SSC did all the proper record keeping. And hell, it sure sounds three miles-per-hour faster than the Bugatti Veyron. [Shelby Supercars]

breaking news

First Chunk Of SSC's World Record Press Release

Fast and loose, just like we told you. And cheers to our man at SSC, the fantastically named Junus Khan, for getting this to us early:
WEST RICHLAND, WA (SEPT 13, 2007) - Shelby Supercars (SSC), manufacturer of the ultra high-performance Ultimate Aero Twin Turbo, set the new "World's Fastest Production Car" record earlier today with an average top speed of 255.83 mph. Confident of the 1183 hp vehicle's abilities, SSC set out to validate their top speed claim in accordance with the strict guidelines set by Guinness World Records. Among other requirements, in order to meet Guinness' approval, a vehicle testing for the top speed record must race down the course, turn around, and make a second pass in the opposite direction within one hour.
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breaking news

SSC Ultimate Aero TT Is The Fastest Car In The World

The facts are coming in fast and loose, but here's what we know: At around 9:00 am (PST), an 1,183 hp SSC Ultimate Aero TT driven by Rick Doria Chuck Bigelow made two passes, one at 257 mph the other at 254 mph — they're averaging 'em at 255 mph. The official record held by the Koenigsegg CCX is 242 mph. The unofficial record held by the Veyron is 253.4 mph. This makes the American car the official champ. USA! USA! More details when we get 'em. Related posts here and here.

born from vettes

GM Makes With the Polaroids: Saab 9-7X Aero Gallery

We did say when we got them, you'd get them. And whether or not you spent the weekend pining away for official shots of the Saab 9-7X Aerosmith Edition, they arrived across the wire earlier today. Again, this is the LS2 V8-powered version of the Swedish-but-just SUV we reported on last week. We're kind of past the obvious joke on this one, and have moved on to "potential for ironic desire." We'll keep you posted.

born from 'vettes

GM Introduces Saab 9-7x Aero; Gets Bigger V8, Still Not Swedish

Say what you will about the Saab 9-7X, that it's an upmarket Chevy Trailblazer clone, that it's a cynical product that belies Saab's charter or that it's about as Swedish as In-N-Out Burger. Of course, it has a nice interior, and the ignition key is on the console, so it's not entirely without Saab appeal. But whatever you say about it, it's getting a horsepower infusion. GM's extending Saab's higher-performance Aero designation to include the SUV. No turbos on this Americanized Swede; it gets an upgrade to the same LS2 6.0-liter V8 as in the Trailblazer SS, producing 390 horsepower and 395 lb.-ft. of torque. That's a 90-horse increase over the currently offered 5.3-liter eight. Zero-to-60 happens in under six seconds, a respectable time for a flying brick. Slightly more swank than the blazer of trails, the 9-7X Aero starts at $45,690, nearly three grand more than the SS. We'll have to wait to see how this plays out. More »

we ain't near vegas anymore, toto

Once Again: The SSC Ultimate Aero TT Is Set To Break Production Car Speed Record

Bugatti, the end is nigh, maybe. Those lovable scamps over at Shelby SuperCars are poised to break the production car speed record (242 mph) currently being held hostage somewhere in Sweden by Koenigsegg. The unofficial production-car speed record of 253 mph is, of course, safe and sound somewhere in the German French Alps. This time out, SSC has enlisted the help of the Guinness Book of World Records to properly sanction their attempt. To set the record, the 1,183 horsepower Ultimate Aero TT must go really frigging fast in one direction, flip a bitch and then come rocketing back along the same road within one hour's time. The two speeds will be averaged to establish the official v-max. SSC will be commandeering a public highway in their home state of Washington and employing the services of Dewetron (they measure the speed of missiles), which will be using between 4 and 12 satellites to track the Ultimate Aero's run. To refresh your memories, last time out, the TT hit 241.4 mph at a driver-reported "71 percent throttle." I know I speak for everyone at Jalopnik when I say that we expect 110 percent throttle this time out. As for when, the press release doesn't say. Regardless, good luck boys. The full press release and an offer from SSC after the jump. More »

0 to 241 mph in two months

At 71% Throttle, SSC Ultimate Aero TT Hits 241 MPH

So many questions. OK, as you probably know, SSC and their Ultimate Aero TT are on a hero's quest to break and thereby set the production car top speed record currently in the hands of the hated Swedes. On March 22 of this year they gave it a go, but because of a jealous Odin snow in Nevada, were only able to hit 230 mph. So, they tried again on May 22. No luck this time out either. Nope, last Tuesday they fell 0.6 mph short. Meaning that the TT did manage to achieve 241.4 mph at "71% throttle." However, according to SSC they weren't actually going for the record. Rather, they were sussing out the transmission cooling system. Which, apparently, works. So here's our questions. First, if this is truly a production car, why didn't they test the transmission on say March 23? Why the Space Shuttle launch like gap between tests? Second... More »

news

Snow Day: SSC Ultimate Aero TT Not As Ugly As We Thought

Here's a picture of the actual Ultimate Aero TT that attempted to break the Veyron's "production car" top speed record but "only" achieved 230mph due to snow and bad roads in Nevada. Which is weird, because if you drive from Los Angeles to Vegas on Interstate 15 – which we may have done once or twice – you notice that on the California side it is a pitted, pot-holed two-lane mess but that the second you cross into bat country Nevada, gambling revenues convert the I-15 into the most perfectly paved, 4-lane mega-highway in all the desert. And it's 115 degrees. Oh, the car. Decked out in carbon-fiber-gray and black the Aero TT looks, dare I say, pretty good. A hell of a lot better than the blue and white iteration that the Postfather so wisely dubbed "dated." No, this car is a very modern pastiche of Murcielago, Zonda, S7 and Koenigseggeggeggeggeggegg with a little bit of Veyron up front for flavor. Full press release once you jump. More »