SSC Tuatara Breaks Production Car Top Speed Record

SSC North America has reclaimed the coveted title of world’s “Fastest Production Vehicle,” this time with its 1,750hp Tuatara, the company announced.

Earlier this month, American hypercar builder SSC broke the record for the fastest production car, topping out at 331 mph with driver Oliver Webb behind the wheel of the SSC Tuatara.

Set on a seven-mile stretch of road near Pahrump, Nevada, the Tuatara averaged 316.11 mph over two runs, breaking the previous record of 277.9 mph, set by the Koenigsegg Agera RS.

In accordance with record criteria, the Tuatara traveled in opposite directions, clocking its speeds within one hour, to break the world record for “Fastest Production Vehicle.”

Officials were on site to verify all world record criteria was met, including a review of Dewetron GPS measurements, which tracked the speed runs using an average of 15 satellites, and to confirm the new record.

“It’s been ten years since we held this record with our first car, the Ultimate Aero, and the Tuatara is leagues ahead. Its performance reflects the dedication and focus with which we pursued this achievement,” said Jerod Shelby, CEO of SSC. “We came pretty close to meeting the theoretical numbers, which is astonishing to do in a real-world setting on a public road. America’s new claim to victory in the ‘land-based space race’ is going to be tough to beat.”

“There was definitely more in there. And with better conditions, I know we could have gone faster,” said Oliver Webb, who piloted the record run. “As I approached 331 mph, the Tuatara climbed almost 20 mph within the last five seconds. It was still pulling well. As I told Jerod, the car wasn’t running out of steam yet. The crosswinds are all that prevented us from realizing the car’s limit.”

In addition to the “Fastest Production Vehicle” record, the SSC Tuatara broke the world records for:

  • “Fastest Flying Mile on a Public Road” at 313.12 mph (503.92 km/h)
  • “Fastest Flying Kilometer on a Public Road” at 321.35 mph (517.16 km/h)
  • “Highest Speed Achieved on a Public Road” at 331.15 mph (532.93 km/h)

Watch an onboard video of the record-breaking run below.

By A.J. Hecht

A.J. Hecht is the managing editor of THE SHOP and host of the In Gear with THE SHOP podcast. Have an idea, a tip, or a question you’d like to see answered? Contact A.J. at ahecht@cahabamedia.com.