SSC is developing a "little brother" Tuatara. The Tuatara breathes fire and accelerates from 60 to 120 mph in 2.5 seconds.

Posted on June 02, 2020
Supercars
SSC is developing a "little brother" Tuatara. The Tuatara breathes fire and accelerates from 60 to 120 mph in 2.5 seconds.

With the SSC Tuatara now in production, the company is planning a smaller, less expensive "little brother" to the 1,750-horsepower supercar.

SSC boss Jerrod Shelby told Top Gear last month that the second model will be "scaled back and priced at a point where more people can afford and enjoy it."

Meanwhile, SSC continues to test the Tuatara after delivering the first production model. In an interview with Top Gear on Monday, Shelby said that the car went from 60-120 mph in just 2.5 seconds in second to third and fourth gear acceleration runs.

This acceleration is made possible by a custom-built 5.9-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine developed by SSC that produces 1,350 hp on pump gas and 1,750 hp on E85 as it approaches the 8,800-rpm redline. A seven-speed automated manual transmission supplied by Italy's CIMA sends power to the rear wheels; SSC says the gearbox can shift gears in less than 100 milliseconds.

SSC plans to challenge Bugatti for the title of fastest production car in the world, a crown SSC briefly held with its previous supercar, the Ultimate Aero.In 2018, Shelby said the Tuatara is the only car that can "legitimately aim" for 300 mph He stated. Bugatti broke the 300 mph barrier in 2019 with the Chiron Supersport 300+. The record now stands at 304.773 mph.

SSC is not prepared to talk about a production timeline for the Tuatara's "little brother," but the company has already committed to building 100 Tuatara cars at its Richland, Washington facility. Most of the work will be done in-house, including the manufacture of the Tuatara's carbon fiber monocoque and bodywork.

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