Autoblog

See what makes Shelby SuperCars founder Jerod Shelby tick

Zach Bowman — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Celebrities, Specialty, Middle East

The Dubai International Motor Show was a good one for Jerod Shelby and the SSC Tuatara. The event pulled in $13 million in pre-orders for heinously powerful supercar, far exceeding Shelby's expectations for a show that was merely supposed to show off where the Tuatara is headed. Shelby sat down with Studio One shortly after the show for a brief interview, and rather than focus on the newest creation from SSC, the show took a closer look at who Shelby is. As it turns out, the American was bitten by the speed bug at an early age, competing in national-level go-kart races from the time he was eight years old.

That early taste of challenge and competition easily translated into Shelby's desire to build a company capable of producing world-class supercars. SSC specifically engineered the company's first vehicle, the Ultimate Aero, to take the title of the fastest production car in the world from the mighty Bugatti Veyron. Shelby and SSC succeeded, sparking off a polite rivalry that carries on to this day.

Shelby even takes the time to explain the rationale behind saddling his newest creation with a name that's as difficult to pronounce as it is hard to spell. Hit the jump to check out the video for yourself as well as a brief recap of the company's experience in the Middle East.

Continue reading See what makes Shelby SuperCars founder Jerod Shelby tick

See what makes Shelby SuperCars founder Jerod Shelby tick originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSC runs Tuatara prototype from 0-200 in under 16 seconds

Noah Joseph — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos

Shelby Super Cars surprised everyone when its Utlimate Aero managed to show the Bugatti Veyron a thing or two. This without the massive development budget that Volkswagen put in to developing the Veyron, mind you. But if its first shot was impressive, its follow-up should prove even more so.

Following a long line of unpronounceable supercar names, the Tuatara will drive well past its predecessor's rather derivative styling with a new shape penned by celebrated automotive designer Jason Castriota. Names and designs are all well and fine, but a car like this needs to be able to perform. And SSC promises it will.

With 1,350 horsepower on tap from its 6.8-liter V8, the Tuatara is tipped to hit 60 miles per hour in just 2.8 seconds en route to a top speed of 275 miles per hour. To get there, SSC has been working diligently with Aero-based prototypes. The independent exotic automaker is currently testing a new seven-speed transmission for the Tuatara, and found it can rocket from 0 to 200 mph in under 16 seconds.

That's blisteringly fast: for comparison's sake, consider that the current record-holder, the Koenigsegg Agera R, ran the same gauntlet in 17.68 seconds. Check out the video clip after the jump.

Continue reading SSC runs Tuatara prototype from 0-200 in under 16 seconds

SSC runs Tuatara prototype from 0-200 in under 16 seconds originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSC Tuatara makes North American debut at Pebble Beach

Drew Phillips — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 19:03:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Specialty, Design/Style, MISC

Shelby SuperCars (SSC) first showed off its forthcoming supercar, the Tuatara, last month in Shanghai, and now we've gotten our first look at the car here in Monterey. The Tuatara (pronounced twu‐tar‐ah), was unveiled earlier today on the concept car lawn at Pebble Beach.

Designed by Jason Castriota of Ferrari P4/5 fame, the Tuatara is SSC's second supercar. While the car you see here is a design model, the production version will feature a bespoke twin-turbo 7.0-liter V8 producing 1,350 horsepower, a carbon fiber sub-frame chassis, and one-piece carbon fiber wheels. While the car seen here lacks a full interior and isn't a complete runner, the design has undeniable presence, with a futuristic yet organic look that is miles ahead of its predecessor, which looked far more kit-car than supercar. What's more, the engine is said to be an all-new creation, it won't be General Motors-based like its forebearer.

We caught up with company founder Jerod Shelby, who informed us he already has five pre-orders for the car, which will be built in Washington state. Shelby is hoping to build about 16 units per year, but the facility will have a capacity of 40 units should the demand be there. He estimates that deliveries will start in the first quarter of 2013, with each example going for "just in excess of one million dollars."

While the Tuatara's predecessor, the Ultimate Aero Twin Turbo, set a new 'production car' top speed record of nearly 256 mph in 2007 (since eclipsed by Bugatti), the ever-ambitious Shelby tells Autoblog he plans to take an example to the Nürburgring soon in hopes of setting the production car record.

SSC Tuatara makes North American debut at Pebble Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Aug 2011 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSC Ultimate Aero II: More images and info

Jeff Glucker — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Design/Style

2011 SSC Ultimate Aero II - Click above for high-res image gallery

Top Gear has let loose another batch of pics showcasing the SSC Ultimate Aero II. In addition to the tantalizing imagery, we get some facts and figures. For starters, this new Ultimate Aero is powered by a 6.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that can scream up to a 9,000 rpm redline. Power? 1,350 horses, every last drop of which will be needed to hit the targeted top speed of 275 mph. Obviously, this rocketship won't be available for short money; it's going to cost $970,000.

SSC aims to recapture the production car speed record it initially took away from Bugatti, which responded this year by building the Veryron Supersport just to get it back. Shelby Supercars believes the Ultimate Aero II will once again allow it to take back the speed crown.

SSC team isn't simply relying on monster power and a slick Jason Castriota-styled exterior. In a nod to Colin Chapman, the new Aero weighs much less than a Veyron thanks to a handful of engineering feats. The wheels are the world's first one-piece carbon-fiber units and tip the scale at just under 13 pounds. In fact, there's carbon-fiber all over the Ultimate Aero II, with the exception of some aluminum bracing for added safety in the event of a crash. Overall, the car weighs about 2,600 pounds, giving it a power-to-weight ratio nearly double that of the Bugatti Veyron. Those specs pretty much say that it isn't so much a question of whether the SSC Ultimate Aero II car will set a record, only when it'll finally happen.

Gallery: 2011 Shelby Supercars Ultimate Aero II

[Source: Top Gear via Motor Authority]

SSC Ultimate Aero II: More images and info originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Oct 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shelby SuperCars to Bugatti: Oh, it's on!

Noah Joseph — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, MISC

SSC Ultimate Aero - Click above for high-res image gallery

Despite radically different approaches, Shelby SuperCars and Bugatti have been playing a high-speed game of one-upmanship for years. First the Veyron took the prize with a 253.8 mph top speed run in 2005. SSC stepped in and bested that two years later with the Ultimate Aero TT. And just recently, Bugatti threw down the gauntlet once again with its 267.8-mph Veyron Super Sport.

Don't think for one minute though that the Veyron SS will go unchallenged for long. The two-three year spread between Bugatti/Shelby bouts may lead us to believe that the Veyron will hold the crown for at least the next few years, but according to reports, SSC isn't prepared to wait that long.

Our compatriots over at Jalopnik quote sources that SSC has a new supercar in the works that could debut this summer. Congratulating their French rivals, the American firm will reportedly take on the Bugatti benchmark with a new Jason Castriota-designed package. Whether they can squeeze out an extra dozen miles remains to be seen, but we'll enjoy watching them try.

Gallery: SSC Ultimate Aero TT

[Source: Jalopnik]

Shelby SuperCars to Bugatti: Oh, it's on! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Famed designer Jason Castriota to pen for Shelby Supercars

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Design/Style

Bertone Mantide - click above for high-res image gallery

While definitely one of (if not the) fastest production cars in the world, the SSC Ultimate Aero has seldom been praised for its looks. Somewhat resembling just about every other supercar out there in one detail or another, the styling has charitably been described as everything from derivative to kit car-ish. Shelby Supercars wants to do something about that. Now that they've proven they can get their car up to its claimed top speed of over 255 mph, the next step is to get a few more of them out the showroom doors. To that end, the company is said to be courting supercar designer Jason Castriota to pen a fresh look.

Jerod Shelby, the "Shelby" in "Shelby Supercars," has apparently tapped Castriota to design SSC's next generation hypercar. If Castriota's name sounds familiar, and even if it doesn't, he is the designer of record behind the Pininfarina P4/5, the Bertone Mantide (shown above) the neo Maserati Birdcage and the Rolls-Royce Hyperion. Having recently left his post at Bertone, Jason will become the exclusive designer for SSC's next two cars and will add a degree of credibility to the team, or at least that's the plan. According to the Tri-City Herald, the cars will actually be badged with his name to hammer home that point.

While the new Aeros will carry a price tag double the current cars' at $800,000 to $900,000, the company says it will also develop a "little brother version" that will retail for just $300,000. Production targets are a dozen or so Aeros and about 50 Aero-lites per annum. The cars might also show up in a reality TV series that is being pitched to chronicle the project.

Gallery: Monterey 2009: Bertone Mantide

[Source: Tri-City Herald]

Report: Famed designer Jason Castriota to pen for Shelby Supercars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:29:00 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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Shelby Super Cars revises outrageous claims about Ultimate Aero EV

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:21:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Supercars

We've been eying the press releases about the Ultimate Aero EV from Shelby Super Cars with a good deal of skepticism since it was first announced back in mid-2008. It seems that some of the early specs were released prematurely, though the revised information still leaves us scratching our heads.

Now that we're getting closer to the car's supposed release later this year, the automaker is letting out some extremely interesting details about the EV's powertrain, which will include twin electric motors with 500 horsepower each, a three-speed automatic gearbox and a mythical lithium ion battery pack that it claims can be quick charged to full capacity in 10 minutes via a 220V line.

As much as we'd love to see Shelby's system work exactly as advertised, we should mention that the math isn't on SSC's side -- that's some major amperage and is seriously outside the realm of capabilities for any 220V outlet installed in a residential home. Come on, SSC, prove us wrong.

[Source: Shelby Supercars via AutoblogGreen]

Continue reading Shelby Super Cars revises outrageous claims about Ultimate Aero EV

Shelby Super Cars revises outrageous claims about Ultimate Aero EV originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:21:00 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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