SSC Tuatara Becomes the World’s Fastest Production Car with a 282.9 mph Speed Run Average

With a certified two-way average of 282.9 miles per hour, the SSC Tuatara is now the world’s fastest production car.

The speed runs occurred January 17, 2020 at the Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds at Space Florida’s Shuttle Landing Facility. The results were certified by Racelogic USA.

The SSC Tuatara made two passes. It hit a 279.9 mph top speed on its northbound run, and a 286.1 mph top speed on the southbound run. The average speed was 282.9 mph, making it the fastest production car on the planet.

In case you were wondering, the previous record, held by a Koenigsegg Agera RS, was “just” 277.87 mph.

Here are some specs on the Tuatara:

• Mid-engine layout
• 5.9L twin-turbo V8 Nelson Racing Engine
• 1,750 horsepower (on E85 fuel)
• 8,800 rpm redline
• 7-speed CIMA robotic manual transmission

…Oh, and the Tuatara boasts air conditioning, power windows, and a premium sound system if you’re thinking about DD’ing one.

The SSC Tuatara is road legal and if you’ve got about two million bucks stashed in your mattress, you can get your own. Though you may want to get in line soon, because SSC is only making 100 of them.

SSC North America, formerly known as Shelby Super Cars (with no connection to that Shelby, either), is based in Washington state and has been around since 1998. The Tuatara follows SSC’s earlier supercars the Ultimate Aero and Ultimate Aero XT.

And in case you’re wondering what 282 mph looks like, the SSC folks were nice enough to roll tape from the cockpit. Check out the video below: