SSC North America

The Tuatara uses a seven-speed CIMA transmission operated electro-hydraulically as an automated manual.

On U.S. 91-octane pump fuel, SSC rates the Tuatara at about 1,350 hp.

SSC quotes a maximum Tuatara output of 1,750 hp when running on E85 or an equivalent ethanol blend.

For the record the car ran the course in both directions within the required time window to reduce the effect of wind and road gradient.

The record was calculated as the average of two runs in opposite directions and was about 256.14 mph.

On 13 September 2007 the SSC Ultimate Aero set an official production-car speed record in Washington State.

In May 2022 a Tuatara reached 295 mph during another Florida high-speed test; this was a peak speed rather than a two-way average.

On 17 January 2021 the Tuatara achieved a verified 282.9 mph average from two runs in opposite directions at Kennedy Space Center.

During development the Ultimate Aero was tested in NASA Langley’s wind tunnel, where its stability was studied at speeds well beyond 250 mph.

The Tuatara’s twin-turbo V8 was developed by SSC in collaboration with Nelson Racing Engines.