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

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.

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