Click above to watch Leno drive the Ultimate Aero
We have a lot of respect for Jay Leno. Not only because he owns some seriously impressive cars, but because he actually drives them. Sure, we're a bit jealous, but even more so after watching him drive the SSC Ultimate Aero, the Guinness-certified fastest production car in the world. As you might expect, Leno was initially skeptical of the American-built supercar, but after close inspection and a stint behind the wheel he was truly impressed. The video also has some interesting info, including the news that SSC plans to build more cars -- a 220 mph four-door sedan as well as the world's fastest "green" supercar. Considering what SSC did with the Ultimate Aero, we wouldn't put it past them, but we're skeptical nonetheless. Follow the jump to watch the video.
[Source: Jay Leno's Garage]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
jjpg2000 @ Jul 15th 2008 1:07PM
Have any SSC cars been sold to actual people yet?
kfj @ Jul 15th 2008 1:15PM
I think I recall a dealership in Las Vegas had one for sale.
Farris @ Jul 15th 2008 1:15PM
Yes, actually. I don't remember how many, or to whom they were delivered, but there have been multiple cars delivered.
Hell, one passed me down by Albertson's last month, but I think it was Jared driving. (I live in the Tri-Cities, WA, hometown of the SSC)
Farris @ Jul 15th 2008 1:30PM
I just spoke with the wife of one of their "higher ups" (she works down the hall from me). She said that she thinks it's around 6 or 7, but the only two that she can think of off the top of her head were to Saudi Arabia.
Yar @ Jul 15th 2008 1:24PM
Incredible.
xpolarx @ Jul 15th 2008 1:30PM
You know...it's not much to look at...but damn is that thing cool. I love the way it sounds.
BAMF @ Jul 15th 2008 5:11PM
Yeah I feel like this is a car that came out like 10 years ago. I cant imagine the design is going to age very well.
pmalik @ Jul 15th 2008 1:35PM
Awesome technology, horrible front end.
pablo @ Jul 15th 2008 10:38PM
What's funny is that the headlights are taken directly off of the Ford Focus SVT. If you look at an 03-04 SVT Focus with the HID option or any of the cars with the European Appearance Package, you'll recognize those lights. They look a lot better on the front of a Focus than that car...
davido @ Jul 15th 2008 1:36PM
Looks are bland, not unlike some race cars where the primary issue is function. Still, after all the drama around any number of still born supercar projects, the thing exists, it's certifiably fast, and has been so certified, and if fifty sell and there really are follow on projects, it has the makings of a classic.
I'm especially impressed that according to Leno, the car is well built and streetable in addition to being hypercar quick.
DS @ Jul 15th 2008 1:47PM
Viva America
Vintage @ Jul 15th 2008 1:50PM
Any new car is NOT GREEN.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooN9INJxxy4
The production of one new car has a HUGE impact, regardless of emissions or mpg! What's green is keeping cars on the road longer, and buying new ones LESS OFTEN.
LloydChiro @ Jul 15th 2008 2:13PM
"Impact" is such a strong word. You, Vintage, are the master of rhetoric.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jul 15th 2008 2:21PM
That's great. Now move to Switzerland, they see things your way.
Sandok @ Jul 15th 2008 2:29PM
Oh really LS2LS7? Because maybe you happen to live there, like me?
Switzerland is supercar country, emissions my ass ;)
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jul 15th 2008 2:33PM
I apologize. It's Norway. I keep making this mistake.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKL0671323420070906
BTW, I think I keep saying Switzerland because auto racing is illegal there. You can say it's supercar country all you want, but when even private racing is banned, I get anxious it seems.
Vintage @ Jul 15th 2008 2:36PM
Am I saying we need to ban racing? No. Am I saying we need to stop buying new cars? No.
I'm saying you shouldn't label something 'green' when it's net effect is obviously very much contributing to pollution, consumption, etc.
I do think that we consume cars way too fast. I've seen SO many clean, wonderful cars just sitting in a junkyard for some stupid problem. Why weren't they fixed? Because they weren't worth anything. And why not? Because we have SOOO MANY NEW CARS AROUND.
Reduce. Reuse. It's not just recycling, my point is that our culture views cars as disposable, instead of fixing them to remain on the road.
Yar @ Jul 15th 2008 2:40PM
Racing or not, Switzerland kicks ass. I went to Lucerne a couple years back in June and got so drunk during some festival. It was awesome though, that lake there is beautiful (even after I puked in it) and I would love to blast through the mountain roads in a car like the Aero TT.
MajorGeek @ Jul 15th 2008 2:55PM
I have to admit that could be true but the reality is to be TRULY green few people would not sacrifice their lifestyle for. Gas prices proved most people didnt care about wasting fuel, only money. Real world is not that simple for most of us. I have the ultimate green solution for you, something I adhered to myself, 1 child per person. Not less cars longer, less people less often. Think about it, we could cut down on everything immediately with no effort beyond a condom.
"What's green is keeping cars on the road longer, and buying new ones LESS OFTEN."
Vintage @ Jul 15th 2008 3:09PM
MajorGeek: Good idea. However... see Idiocracy. :|