Autoblog

REPORT: South African man sets speed record for blind - in 200 mph SL Black Series!

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Etc., Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black - Click above for high-res image gallery

Looks like Luc Costermans (a.k.a. the Blind Belgian) is no longer the world's fastest sight-challenged driver. The latest person to snatch the world land speed record for the blind is South Africa's Hein Wagner. Wagner, who has been blind since birth, pushed a borrowed Mercedes-Benz SL65 Black Series to 322.5 km/h, just a tick over 200 mph. That puts him in the Guinness Book of World Records, ahead of Costermans, and it's not the first record for Wagner, though.

This is the same man who became the first South African to set a world land speed record, sighted or not, back in 2005 when he pushed a Maserati to 167 MPH. The deposed champion, Costermans, can take consolation in being the first blind man to break the 300 km/h barrier. Wagner himself might have to be content with being the first to break 200 mph, as previous record holder Mike Newman hopes to take an 1,800-hp Keating TKR supercar well past that figure later this month. In fact Newman is going after the overall production car speed record of 257 mph currently held by the SSC Ultimate Aero.

For now at least, the record belongs to Wagner. His record run was achieved on the runway at the Upington International Airport in Northern Cape, South Africa, with copilot Ray Wakefield of Speedrecord SA riding shotgun. Wagner has always had an adventurous streak, having previously run the New York Marathon (in 4:27!), skydived (skydove?) from 10,000 feet, completed the Construction du Cap bike race solo, competed in the Cape-to-Rio yacht race, and he has even climbed the ten highest peaks in the Western Cape. Wagner is raising money for his Vision Trust organization, which makes technology more accessible to the blind.

So what's up next for Wagner? He plans to fly a Boeing from London to Johannesburg -- with passengers. It was probably hard enough to find one passenger for the drive in the Benz, getting a full load of passengers for the flight might take a bit more persuading. But what the heck, it's for a good cause, right? Thanks for the tip, Dean!

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series

[Source: News 24]

REPORT: South African man sets speed record for blind - in 200 mph SL Black Series! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: World's Fastest Production Car

Drew Phillips — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Auctions, Supercars

Click above for a high-res gallery of the SSC Ultimate Aero Twin-Turbo

You've always had the opportunity to buy the world's fastest car, but now you can buy THE world's fastest car. The actual SSC Ultimate Aero TT that set the Guinness-certified top speed record for a production car is up for auction on eBay with your name on it. The 2007 model comes with Palladium paint and black Alcantara interior, nav system, 10-speaker audio/DVD system, back-up camera, and power everything. Oh, did we mention the 1183 horsepower twin-turbo V8 mounted behind the seats?

Sure, the 2009 model has 100+ more horsepower and a theoretical top speed of 270 mph, but that's yet to be verified, making this very 2007 model still the world's fastest production car. At just over $150,000 the reserve has not yet been met, but the minimum bid is surely quite a bit less than the base price of a Bugatti Veyron or Koenigsegg CCX.

Gallery: SSC Ultimate Aero TT

[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: World's Fastest Production Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Updated SSC Ultimate Aero boasts 1287 hp, claimed top speed of 270 mph

Drew Phillips — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars

Click above for a high-res gallery of the SSC Ultimate Aero

Not content to rest on its laurels after taking the Guinness-verified top speed world record, SSC has revamped the Ultimate Aero for 2009 to make it more powerful, more aerodynamic, and even faster. We thought the 2008 model had plenty of horsepower with 1183 ponies underneath the hood, but SSC has increased that number to 1287 courtesy of a new one-piece billet aluminum engine block that improves structural integrity and oiling capabilities. Helping to push all that horsepower through the air is a redesigned front fascia with a new center grille opening, as well as carbon fiber louvers that feed 20% more air to the radiators. The aerodynamic changes, combined with the increased power, yield an estimated 270 mph top speed. SSC has also given the interior a thorough refresh, adding carbon fiber trim to the dash, air vents, door sills, and around the gauge cluster. A new center console features an Azentek PC Infotainment system that can process the car's onboard diagnostic system. There's no word on whether they'll attempt to best their top speed record achieved earlier this year, but we're sure SSC would like to further distance themselves from the Bugatti Veyron or the 9ff GT9. More details on the 2009 SSC Ultimate Aero can be found in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2009 SSC Ultimate Aero

[Source: Shelby Supercars]

Continue reading Updated SSC Ultimate Aero boasts 1287 hp, claimed top speed of 270 mph

Updated SSC Ultimate Aero boasts 1287 hp, claimed top speed of 270 mph originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSC (allegedly) to produce the world's fastest electric supercar

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Green, Supercars

Click above for a gallery of high-res images of the SSC Ultimate Aero TT.

Green performance cars are the new darlings of today's small crop of boutique auto builders. From the Tesla Roadster to the Fisker Karma, and now, the new Ultimate Aero EV. The easiest way for the little guys to attract big attention is to make attractive, high performance cars with green credentials. So, it's with a grain of salt that we bring you news of the aforementioned electric hyper coupe from Shelby SuperCars. Considering that the supercar manufacturer claims that its battery will not require a charge "for six years" (should we proclaim them early favorites for McCain's battery prize?), powering dual, five-hundred horsepower electric motors, the whole thing sounds more than a bit fishy. It deserves noting that the battery technology doesn't exist to support those claims and, while five-hundred horsies can indeed be extracted from an electric motor, that would have to be one big honkin' motor... and they plan on using two in their EV. Guiness World Record for the fastest car? Check. Really big EV aspirations? Double Check. And now, it's time for a reality check.

Gallery: SSC Ultimate Aero TT

[Source: Shelby SuperCars]

SSC (allegedly) to produce the world's fastest electric supercar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Jay Leno drives the SSC Ultimate Aero, lives

Drew Phillips — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Supercars, Celebrities

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]

Continue reading VIDEO: Jay Leno drives the SSC Ultimate Aero, lives

VIDEO: Jay Leno drives the SSC Ultimate Aero, lives originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2007 SSC Ultimate Aero Twin Turbo for sale

Drew Phillips — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Supercars

Getting tired of the staid supercars sitting in your garage? Now is your chance to own the Guinness-verified world's fastest car, the SSC Ultimate Aero which was clocked at an average two-way speed of 255.83 mph - besting both the Bugatti Veyron and Koenigsegg CCX. Motorcars of Las Vegas, the sole distributor of the Ultimate Aero, has chassis #SSC-07-004 on its showroom floor ready for its first owner. This is the first one they have had for immediate delivery, and there are only 15 miles on the odometer. The twin-turbo V8 mounted amidships puts out 1183 horsepower and 1094 lb-ft torque. Other features include a full carbon fiber body, navigation system, back-up camera, and a front lift system to clear speed bumps. If this particular one doesn't suit your taste, you can also commission one to your own specifications.

[Source: Motorcars of Las Vegas]

Gallery: 2007 SSC Ultimate Aero Twin Turbo

2007 SSC Ultimate Aero Twin Turbo for sale originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Dec 2007 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSC Ultimate Aero TT closes in on record with 241 mph run

John Neff — Wed, 30 May 2007 15:27:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Supercars

click on above image for more high-res pics of the SSC Ultimate Aero TT

Back in March, SSC went for the mantle of World's Fastest Production Car with its Ultimate Aero TT. The attempt failed due to a number of factors, one of which was bad weather, but SSC is still determined to take the title away from the Koenigsegg CCR, which is the current record holder with an official run up to 242 mph. (The Bugatti Veyron has reportedly gone 253 mph in an unofficial run.)

Winding Road recently spoke with Junus Khan, SSC's marketing director, who claims that the Ultimate Aero TT hit 241.4 mph during a transmission temperature test on May 22. At the time, the driver was reportedly using only 71 percent of the car's available throttle, which implies it's got plenty of reserve to break the official record of 242 mph. With 1,183 bhp on tap behind the driver's head, we're sure the SSC Ultimate Aero TT will shatter the record soon once the company organizes another official attempt. Khan says they'll be going for it in the "very near future."

[Source: Winding Road]

Gallery: SSC Ultimate Aero TT

SSC Ultimate Aero TT closes in on record with 241 mph run originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 May 2007 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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