The battle for the title of “World’s Fastest Production car” has just heated up – again. And this time its round two of the classic David vs. Goliath encounter: diminutive Shelby Super Cars taking on the might of VW-owned Bugatti. American one man show SSC, forced the world to take them seriously after the original Ultimate Aero snatched the title away from the Veyron with a run of 256mph, recorded on a four-mile-long Texas single carriageway that featured a dogleg bend that needed to be navigated at “just” 210mph. The man at the wheel was 71 year old Chuck Bigelow who had no racing experience and refused to wear even a crash helmet.
Hitting back, the Veyron Super Sport took to VW’s ultra-modern, ultra-smooth and wide Ehra Lessien test track, with a pro driver at the wheel and crowd of engineers at their beck and call. The result was an impressive 267mph from the 1200HP special edition.
Considering all that Bugatti have at their disposal compared to Jerod Shelby and his band of 16 engineers – that work from a garage behind his house – you begin to realize the magnitude of their accomplishments. Now they have unveiled their new creation, a 1350HP RWD beast that’s yet to be officially named. For convenience, we’ll just call it the Aero II.
UPDATE 10/18/2011: SSC continues to characterize a few last sub-assemblies from the Ultimate Aero for transfer into the final Tuatara performance package. Their latest video shows the car making 0 to 200 mph sprints in order for engineers to test new gear ratio specs on the transmission. SSC was surprised at how quickly the Ultimate Aero reached 200 MPH, but more importantly, the team has now determined what they feel is the perfect gear ratios for the new 7-speed Tuatara transmission.
UPDATE 11/11/2011: SSC has finally unveiled the official details on the Tuatara’s exquisite interior. Full details can be found after the jump, but you can check out the new images, as well as the new video, for a quick tutorial!
UPDATE 12/06/2011: Despite Tuatura’s huge $1.3 million price tag, Shelby Supercars has managed to sell an impressive 10 units during the 2011 Dubai International Motor Show. So, $13 million in just five days? Not bad for Shelby. Financial crisis? What crisis? (Gulf News)
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There seems to always be hype and rumors circulating around this car, and it’s increased since the F10 M5 launch is around the corner. Traditionally, the M5 and M6 have shared a lot of similar kit, mainly, the same engine and gearbox. This would explain why potential buyers and M fans are looking at the new M5 through a microscope – to gauge what surprises the top of the range M car will bring. The new M6 will have a lot to live up to based on the outgoing V10 model. The beast showcased the fruits of BMW’s F1 escapades, with the use of lightweight composite materials in its construction, F1-derived V10 engine, and adjustable suspension. While it wasn’t everyone’s favorite in the looks department, no one could take anything away from its scintillating performance. The new 6 should be much better to look at and even better to drive, according to the info we have managed to amass.
UPDATE 12/01/2011: Up until now, we have only heard lots of rumors about the upcoming BMW M6, but we can officially confirm that the M6 Cabrio will be launched in June 2012 and it will be followed by the coupe version three months later. BMW is also preparing an M version for the upcoming 6-Series Grand Coupe. It will be launched in 2013. (Autofans)
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Mercedes has caused history to repeat itself as they have come out with a roadster version for one of their popular coupes. This trend was seen in the SLR McLaren and will now repeat itself with the SLS AMG coupe version. The SLS AMG Roadster will be revealed in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but right now the car is under extreme testings.
In terms of design, the roadster version will remain faithful to the coupe version. However, it will drop the gullwing doors in favor of more traditional units. The SLS Roadster will be offered with Mercedes’ traditional retractable soft-top which can be opened and closed electrohydraulically while on the move up to 30 mph.
The Mercedes SLS AMG roadster version will be powered by a 6.3-liter V8 engine with 563 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. However, being a much heavier model, it will rocket from 0 to 60mph in 4.0 seconds before topping out at approximately 192 mph.
In Europe, prices will start from € 195,160, or about $278,000 at the current exchange rates. The Mercedes’ US debut will be made later this fall.
UPDATE 11/07/2011: Mercedes has unveiled a new video presenting the history behind the SLS AMG Roadster photo shoot with Michael and Ralf Schumacher.
Hit the jump to read more about the new Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster.
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The Toyota/Subaru FT-86 creation has been buzzing about the internet since the two announced their partnership, but after months of concepts and hearsay, a Subaru source has provided a bit of official information about the new sports car. The FT-86 will be arriving in the U.S. badged as a Scion FR-S and will feature one of the lowest centers of gravity of any vehicle out on the market. It will actually be right behind the Porsche GT3 and the Ferrari 458, thanks to the boxer engine provided to Toyota by Subaru. Subaru’s boxer engine has a flat, low profile that balances weight efficiently and provides quick handling response and flat, confident cornering.
We’re expected to see debuts of all the FT-86 variants when the Tokyo Motor Show opens its doors in December 2011 so we’ll have more details on those models at that time. Subaru’s version of the FT-86 is also being considered for an STI version which could come sporting a new generation, naturally aspirated (not turbocharged as with other STI models) 2.0-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine.
Speaking of the STI, Subaru sources also say that the new STI will take at least two years before coming to the market and will be drastically different from the base Impreza. In fact, this is part of Subaru’s plan to separate their conventional models from their performance models. The Impreza was put together with an eye out for economy, but the STI will be a different beast altogether. It will get its own engine, one that will have nothing to do with the Toyota engine created for the FT-86 project and will make it easier for Subaru to market the vehicle as a performance model. No specific figures were given, but we expect the new STI to carry a turbocharged version of the 2.5 liter boxer engine with more than 305 HP on tap. The engine will be mated to a fully synchronized close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission.
We’ve come to know Ginetta as a company that has made a name for itself in the industry for producing track-focused race cars and kit cars like the Ginetta F400 and the Ginetta G40. Apparently, the British automaker has set its sights on building a new sports car, one that the company is expecting to sell to a more mainstream market.
No word yet on what the name of the future sports car is going to be, but Ginetta has nonetheless released a teaser photo, as well as performance details of the car, giving us an indication of what to expect when it officially breaks cover.
According to Ginetta, the future sports car will make extensive use of carbon fiber to keep its overall weight at just under 2,425 lbs. In addition, Ginetta is putting in a more-than-respectable 3.7-liter engine that delivers 310 horsepower while hitting a 0-60 mph time of just under four seconds and an overall top speed of 165 mph.
Seems a little weird that we already have an expected price tag for the car - £70,000 ($110,000) - yet we still don’t know what it’s going to be called. In any case, expect an announcement from Ginetta in the coming weeks about their new road-ready sports car.
