This stunning supercar was today unveiled as the world’s next fastest car – capable of a mind-boggling 275mph.
The SSC Tuatara is powered by a twin-turbocharged 7-litre V8 engine developing an incredible 1,350bhp.
This makes it around 16 times more powerful than a typical family hatchback, despite weighing the same.
When officially tested, the 275mph beast is expected to take the crown as the quickest production car from the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, which is capable of a mere 267mph.
American car maker Shelby Super Cars will build just 12 Tuataras with prices expected to start at around £500,000 when it goes on sale later this year.
The bizarre name, pronounced Twu-tar-ah, stems from the New Zealand reptile, which is a direct descendent of the dinosaur.
But the Tuatara is anything but prehistoric, using the most modern technology available including a seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox and carbon fibre body and wheels to keep the car as light as possible.
It is the latest blow in a four year tit-for-tat battle with VW-owned Bugatti to produce the world’s fastest production car.
The original Veyron was the world’s fastest car with a top speed of 253mph. But SSC came along and took the crown with its 256mph Ultimate Aero TT in 2007.
Bugatti then upped the ante with its £1.6 million Veyron Super Sport, smashing the SSC’s record when it hit 267mph last June.
A spokesperson for SSC said: ”Although the new car is definitely being designed and developed with the capability of world record top speed in mind, SSC is going to have other strong vehicle characteristics such as braking, handling, and ride quality.”
Company CEO Jerod Shelby added: ”SSC’s Tuatara is about to monumentally evolve in the areas of sophistication, design, aerodynamics and sheer all-around performance.”
