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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Last Place on Earth: SSC Ultimate Aero TT headed for... India?

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, India

Though we've never been, we often hear that time slows down in India. The pace of life is so different there and so far away from everyday American/Western experience that time feels as if it's crawling. On the opposite end of the spectrum lies the SSC Ultimate Aero TT. A car that while we haven't driven (yet), but have on pretty good authority speeds time up. So what happens if SSC were to stick its super fast chocolate in India's s.l.o.w. peanut butter, so to speak? You'd wind up with a very, very expensive car, speed, or lack thereof, be damned.

If you don't know, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT is the fastest production car in the world. Last time Guinness clocked 'em, the TT went 257 mph -- that's 4 mph faster than a Bugatti Veyron. And course, SSC has long maintained that the Ultimate Aero TT is capable of hitting 271 mph. As such, it's pretty pricey. Expect to pay a hair over $650,000. However, India has some pretty stiff import tariffs, sometimes as high as 100%. And in the case of a ~~$650,000~~ $770,000 two seater (though "only" $740,000 in the States) that gets [CENSORED] miles per gallon, it's definitely going to be a 100% tax.

A few things to take away from this admittedly odd piece of auto news. Once it goes on sale, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT will be the most expensive car in India, selling for more than the current champ from Maybach. Not only has India's nouveau riche population manage to ride out and beat the global economic meltdown, but India is minting more millionaires quicker than anywhere else. Not only that, but the luxury (meaning expensive) car market has actually found a way to grow, and in fact grow faster than any other automotive segment. The previously only available in the U.S. and Russian Ultimate Aero TT should be and feel right at home.

Gallery: SSC Ultimate Aero TT

[Source: India Times]

Last Place on Earth: SSC Ultimate Aero TT headed for... India? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:58:00 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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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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Tokyo Motor Show: Suzuki Pixy & SSC

Justin Gardiner — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:03:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki

The 2007 Tokyo Motor Show ended last week, but today we're cleaning out our closet of yet-to-be published posts from this biggest of biannual Japanese auto shows.

There's more than a hint of Toyota's PM, i-Swing and i-REAL series about this concept. But where Toyota admits that the driver may occasionally want to get out of the pod, Suzuki sees no reason for such extravagant use of your legs when operating the PIXY. Leaving the city for a blast down the highway? Just drive your PIXY in to your SSC mothership. Want to go for a thrash though the mountains? Park up in your SSF sports-car unit. There's even a speed boat (SSJ) on the cards, not that you'd be able to smell the sea breeze. Both the PIXY and SSC appear to be hermatically sealed and were unbearably hot under the stage lights. Ideal transportation for a post nuclear war world perhaps?

Gallery: Suzuki Sustainable Mobility (PIXY + SSC)

Continue reading Tokyo Motor Show: Suzuki Pixy & SSC

Tokyo Motor Show: Suzuki Pixy & SSC originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo 2007 Preview: Take your Suzuki PIXY to the track or beach

Alex Nunez — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:46:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki

Click image to enlarge and view gallery

In the future, when walking is completely obsolete (in Japan, at least), and humans ditch their Nikes in favor of personal mobility devices like the Suzuki PIXY, mankind will still be able to take part in the fun stuff like driving sports cars and boating. We'll just have to do it from within the confines of our PIXY pods. In addition to the 2-person SSC (Suzuki Sharing Coach), Suzuki has come up with the SSF, a single-person sports car meant to accommodate the PIXY, and the SSJ, a PIXY-ready watercraft. Both will be presented (sketches of them, at least) at the Tokyo Motor Show this month. We're waiting for the day when future Tokyo concepts from the Japanese manufacturers eschew the human body altogether and simply turn us into wheeled versions of the B'omarr Monks from the Star Wars universe.

[Source: Suzuki]

Gallery: Suzuki Sustainable Mobility Concept (PIXY + SSC)

Tokyo 2007 Preview: Take your Suzuki PIXY to the track or beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo 2007 Preview: More pix of Suzuki's PIXY + SSC

Alex Nunez — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 14:48:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki

Click images for updated photo gallery

Details on Suzuki's Sustainable Mobility concept remain scarce. As we first reported last weekend, the package is comprised of the PIXY single-person pod and the SSC (Suzuki Sharing Coach) twin-pod mothership. Short of concrete info on how it works, we do have additional photos of Suzuki's womb-like pods and their communal express ride to baggage claim... or the supermarket or wherever. We'd love to explain why the side panels on the SSC open the way they do (the sills seem a bit high for non-PIXY'd passenger access), but we can't, as the details are still largely under wraps. Speculate away in the comments while we wait for Autoblog's Team Tokyo to get the rest of the skinny for us.

[Source: Suzuki]

Gallery: Suzuki Sustainable Mobility Concept (PIXY + SSC)

Tokyo 2007 Preview: More pix of Suzuki's PIXY + SSC originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Oct 2007 14:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSC (almost officially) takes top speed record

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

And the award for Top Speed Achieved by a Production Automobile goes to: Shelby Supercars' Ultimate Aero Twin Turbo. Claiming a stretch of public road in Washington State for the effort, the SSC UATT made two runs in accordance with Guinness Book of World Record rules, one in each direction. The first run clocked 257.11 MPH, the second, return one came in at 254.55 MPH. The average: 255.83 MPH. That bests all challengers -- yes, even the Veyron -- by at least 3 MPH.

For comparison, the SSC's V8 packs 1,183 BHP and 1,094 ft-lbs. as opposed to the Veyron's 16 cylinders, 1,001 HP, and 922 ft-lb. In addition to a bigger punch, the SSC also carries less weight: 2,700 pounds versus the Veyron's 4,162. Much of the Veyron poundage no doubt is attributable to its interior, which is a splendid place to be even when you're not doing 250+. SSC still needs to submit the paperwork and get official certification from Guinness before it's run is, as we say, officially official. Intriguing, though, that of all the names mentioned, the one not broached was the previous holder of the top speed record: the Callaway Sledgehammer.

[Source: Jalopnik]

SSC (almost officially) takes top speed record originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Sep 2007 09:28:00 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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OC Auto Show: SSC Aero

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 19:32:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Misc. Auto Shows

Tucked away in a corner of the OC Auto Show Underground, where tuners come out to play, we found an SSC Aero. Sitting amidst a Novitec Ferrari F430, a Superformance LeMans Coupe, a Mosler that still had Bullrun stickers on it, the SSC nonetheless managed to stand out. The car is still a bit of an enigma, but promises to be one of the world's fastest cars once it gets into the hands of testers. We volunteered to probe the claimed top speed of 260 mph, but were politely denied. Click the read link to find out more about the car from our friends at Fast-Autos.net who saw three of the SSCs up in Monterey last year.

This is another one of those worlds'-fastest-car contenders that has yet to prove its claims, but on paper it should be up to the challenge. With a Corvette-based 6.2 liter, turbocharged V-8 producing over 1,000 hp, 250 sounds like a breeze. The curb weight is about the same as the Koenigsegg CCX at 2,640 pounds, so the extra 200 hp should make it a bit quicker too. Hopefully SSC will invite us out to track test it like the Swedes did.

(more photos after the jump)

[Source: Fast-Autos.net]

Continue reading OC Auto Show: SSC Aero

OC Auto Show: SSC Aero originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Oct 2006 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: first Ultimate Aero TT supercar

Erin Mays — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 11:53:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Auctions, Supercars

"Other makes," indeed. Its the first of just 24 to come over the next two years, and it's yours for the right price. Starting out at a mere $280,000 in a no-reserve auction, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT boasts pretty serious performance numbers: 0-60 in 2.78 seconds, 9.90 at 144 mph in the quarter mile and 0-100-0 in 11.66 seconds. Pretty hot, by any standards. The twin-turbo V8 churns out 1180 hp and 961 lb-ft of torque, likely putting it well ahead of the speed-queen Bugatti Veyron (no figures on top speed have been released, but the speedometer tops out at 280).

What's more is that this car is not a speed mule like some other supercars. The eBay listing indicates the car will come equipped with luxuries such as navigation, 8-speaker premium sound system with CD and DVD, and even an automatic backup camera.

The car is scheduled to premiere this January, but we'll have to wait until May to see what it can really do at a speed contest held in Wolfsburg, Germany.

[Source: eBay via Winding Road]

eBay Find of the Day: first Ultimate Aero TT supercar originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Aug 2006 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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American team one step closer to challenging land speed record

Eric Bryant — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 14:06:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc.

Two weeks ago, the North American Eagle took to the El Mirage desert for some shake-down runs as it prepares to challenge for the world land-speed record. Unfortunately, Mother Nature interfered and rain limited the team to only one run. With a vehicle based on the fuselage of a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter that has been fitted with custom suspension and solid aluminum wheels, the team looks to take back the record from UK-based Thrust SSC (which, in this author's opinion, was one of the most evil-looking competition vehicles of all time).

Burning up to 160 gallons/minute of a 50/50 mixture of biodiesel and kerosene, the GE LM-1500 turbojet engine (a derivative of the famed J-79) will provide an estimated maximum 22,000 lbs of thrust. That should be sufficient to push the dart-shaped vehicle to over 800 MPH in 3.5 miles - enough speed to beat Andy Green's 1997 run at 763 MPH.

[Source: Landspeed.com]

American team one step closer to challenging land speed record originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jun 2006 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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