We’ve not heard much from supercar maker SSC about its Tuatara model as of late and we wondered if it was still in production.
Word comes this morning, however, that the Tuatara is very much alive and well – and putting out some unbelievable horsepower numbers.
The Tuatara’s 7.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine was reportedly clocked at 1,350 horsepower and 1,280 pound-feet of torque during a recent dyno test, according to a Motor Authority report.
What’s perhaps most impressive, SSC claims the engine could easily achieve over 1,700 horsepower on 91 octane pump gasoline.
SSC put the seven-liter through some extreme testing, which included running the engine at 5,500 rpm before adding huge loads – reportedly more stressful than the Tuatara’s theoretically top speed of 275 mph. After the testing concluded, the engine was dismantled and although it had been put through the wringer, its components reportedly looked good as new.
It seems the world has a high-speed game of chicken going on. Right now, Bugatti, SSC, and Koenigsegg are all close to releasing the next World’s Fastest Car. It seems that each brand is waiting in the shadows for another to strike first.
The problem facing the brands right now: whomever strikes first, might come in last. If one car comes out too early and under-performs the followers, a lot of work will have been for naught. We’ll have to wait and see who’s willing to play chicken first.
