SSC Ultimate Aero

SSC announced the production of the Ultimate Aero EV, an electrical version of the supercar.The released specifications include using 500 horsepower (373kW) electric motor, which SSC also exploring the potential of using 2 engines in 2 or 4 wheel drive configuration. The SSC, once in production, will be the fastest electric car on the market. "I think we can do it faster, leaner and cleaner than any other manufacturer," claims the SSC founder, Jerod Shelby. SSC planned to produce its first prototype in February 2009, with production to begin as early as Q4 of 2009.

As part of the production plan, SSC also announced it had contracted with Sheffield International Finance Corporation to initiate the company's first acceptance of outside capital since its inception.



Speed attempt



SSC tested the top speed capability of the Ultimate Aero TT on March 22, 2007. The original test was scheduled for March 21, 2007 but was called off due to bad weather conditions. SSC closed down a 12-mile (19 km) stretch of U.S. Route 93 in Nevada for the event. Their goal was to replace the Bugatti Veyron as the fastest production car ever produced, which at the time could achieve 253.5 mph (408.0 km/h). Simulation and testing at NASA's Virginia facility had shown that the Ultimate Aero TT should be capable of approximately 273 mph (439 km/h).[13] The March 22nd attempt failed to break the record, apparently due to sub-optimal conditions. Test driver Rick Doria reported "wheel-spin" at speeds above 190 mph (306 km/h).[14] Despite the failure of the attempt, the car still reached 242 mph (390 km/h)

SSC announced they had broken the speed record for the world's fastest production car with 256.15 mph (412.23 km/h) in West Richland, WA on September 13, 2007. The reported record speed came from an average of two runs in opposite directions, in accordance with Guinness Book of World Records rules. The first run clocked 257.41 mph (414.26 km/h) and the return trip 254.88 mph (410.19 km/h), with the average beating the Bugatti Veyron's top speed of 253 mph (407.16 km/h). The results of this test, verified by Guinness World Records on October 9, 2007, gave the SSC Ultimate Aero the title of world's fastest production car.

In addition to the fastest production car record, SSC also applied for world record of the highest emissions-legal horsepower production automobile.