As the tradition goes in the auto industry, pretty much every vehicle model gets some sort of update every few years. Some new trim pieces here, a few extra horsepower there and viola, you have a slightly better car than you started with. However, when you make a car as radical as the SSC Ultimate Aero, a simple tweak simply won’t do.
Shelby Supercars’ 2008 Ultimately Aero already has an impressive stat sheet: 1,183 horsepower, carbon fiber everything and the world record for the fastest production car. But the 2009 model promises to make last year’s car look like a Mercury Grand Marquis.
For ’09, SSC will up the Ultimate Aero’s output by 15 percent. While that would represent a healthy 20-30 horsepower boost in a ‘normal’ car, that increase will boost power in the Ultimate Aero by an astonishing 108 horsepower – totaling a mind-boggling 1,287 horsepower. Despite the extra power on tap, SSC says the 2009 Ultimate Aero will be even more durable than the outgoing model.
In order to make sure the more powerful engine just doesn’t melt itself into a useless lump of metal, airflow into the engine bay has been increased by 20 percent, largely thanks to new carbon fiber louvers.
The 2009 model will also feature an AeroBrake –essentially a rear spoiler that pops up to rub off speed – which is a good considering the revised car will have a top speed of 270 mph.
The 2009 Ultimate Aero will also feature a revised interior, but at 270 mph, who has time to admire a new dash?
No word on pricing for the new and improved 2009 Ultimate Aero, but the previous model listed for about $650,000.
12/16, 6:30 PM
posted by:
MurcieMe
Very Impressive specs, but why is this car so ugly? There are hoards of 15 year olds designing better looking supercars than this in math classes around the world. This and the Mosler MT900 are two of the most amazing supercars out there and they look so amateurish in design.
12/16, 6:32 PM
posted by:
manhertm
Soooo, where that Ultimate Aero EV, with 500 horsepower and revolutionary batteries? I haven’t forgotten, they got until February to show us a prototype. I’m not holding my breath though.
12/16, 7:11 PM
posted by:
savedsol
Sometimes proper aerodynamic properties don’t allow for “purdy” vehicles.
12/16, 7:35 PM
posted by:
F250swb
this car is sooooo ugly…looks like its made out of plastic. for $650,000+, zero build quality. and youll look like such an idiot driving that
12/16, 7:56 PM
posted by:
Das Stig
I was never a fan of the Aero to begin with, even if it’s capable of producing around 1200 horsepower. I respect the hard mechanical work that’s put into it but It’s exterior design will never be as smooth or as refined as the Veyron. I’ll agree that the Veyron does look a bit too weird however, whoever wants to compare numbers, go ahead. But If you want to compare craftsmanship and refinement, don’t even try ’cause the Aero is nothing close to a Veyron or even a Koenigsegg CCX for that matter.
12/16, 8:15 PM
posted by:
SVTF
Am I the only one that likes this? There are plenty of uglier cars out there and besides, at 270mph no one can see you.
12/16, 9:17 PM
posted by:
C6Racer
He’s got a point.
12/17, 4:03 AM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
Nowt wrong with the look – might not seem as impressive in pics, but I’m sure up close it will look good.
Impressive specs though!
12/17, 4:12 AM
posted by:
busbytest
For me this car has a cool design but I hope that it’s performance is also cool.
Busby Seo Test
12/17, 5:58 AM
posted by:
bimmer_mann_18
Still cheaper and better looking than a Bugatti Veyron. The only thing different they should do to upgrade the car is to create an E85 model, like Koenigsegg did, but without the million dollar sticker. I design cars in my spare time and if I ever get a chance to build one, I’d like it to go up close to one of these.
12/17, 5:58 AM
posted by:
Kris K
Math lesson for LLN/SSC:
1. 1183+108=1291 –> not 1287 hp
2. 15% of 1183 is not 108, it´s more like 177
3. 1183+177=1360
So who got it wrong?
But nice try anyway
12/17, 7:16 AM
posted by:
scratchy
put the Veyron engine on a Lamborghini Reventon and you have something fast , good looking and classy.
12/17, 1:47 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
i feel like thowing up when i look at this pile sh!t!!!!!!!!
12/17, 3:07 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
You people realize that this is the fastest car in the world beating the Bugatti Veyron? I would so rather take this than the Veyron.
12/17, 4:33 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
I saw this cars up close at the track a few months ago and to be honest the interior looks like a Kit-Car, and the out side, well you can see it, for over half a Million bucks I expect it look at least like a regular car, the owner said it’s a race car for the road… and I told him my GT500 was a road car for the track, and it looked way…. better, and ya he was fast, but I drove my car home, and I took the kids to school the next day, and then to work, and the drive throw for some lunch, to the store then after, and he, well he loaded his Super car on to a enclose trailer, I guess he was embarrass to be seen driving in it…
Heck with over 1/2 a Million you can buy a F-430 coupe for play and a Benz. AMG S63, as a daily driver, and you still will have cash left over to take the wife out looking in style, so what if you can’t go 270 mph, you’ll look way better going 180mph in your Benz, or F-430…
12/17, 7:27 PM
posted by:
cocksterS
I agree with most here. Give me a Veyron–not just for performance, but for performance, useability, cache, and looks. The Veyron is a true specimen of engineering genius. The SSC seems a bit of a frankenstein, albeit a very, very, very fast frankenstein.
12/18, 12:13 AM
posted by:
MurcieMe
I agree, it can be as fast as it wants – but if it doesn’t have the looks to match I’d never be interested. Not that I have millions of dollars, mind you, but if I did this wouldn’t even be on my radar. For that kind of money I want it all, performance, style and at least a little bit of luxury . . .
12/18, 3:28 AM
posted by:
Dindel
They needed a smidge more power to get the specific power on or past 1000 hp per tonne. Pity then the story does not quote weight. The earlier model weighed in at 1250 kilos.
Now let’s put the sucker on E85!
12/18, 11:07 PM
posted by:
Fastcarguy
True, it could look cooler, but the Veyron looks weird also. For the fastest car in the world, the price is a bargain compared to that of the Veyron. Also, it has none of the excess weight the Veyron does that hinders performance. And also, the Aero has the cool interior stuff like the infotainment system.
Other cars such as the Koenigseggs, the Saleen S7 Twin Turbo and the McLaren F1 look better (in my opinion), but this is the fastest car in the world. And it gets nearly 30 mpg, while the other supercars in its class usually all get less than 20 mpg. Like the SSC guy said in the Streetfire video, it depends on the approach the automaker takes. The Veyron is intended as a luxury car that is very fast, even though because of its performance specs it’s nowhere near as comfortable as a Mercedes, Maybach, Bentley, etc. The Ultimate Aero, on the other hand was designed as a sports car, a driver car that has to have a good driver to tap into its full potential. The Veyron can be driven by anyone really, especially since it’s an automatic.
09/17, 5:22 PM
posted by:
GeEkSqUaD4236
Ok any of you retards who are saying this car is SOOOO UGLY…your stupid, this car is very nice its not the sexiest car in the world but hey. can you design a car that looks super sexy and goes 255+ mph no i dont think so…and im sure you are drivin a honda or a nissan or somethin like that for like 20 thousand so until you hit the lottery i suggest you not judge these godly cars that are out of your price range and just shut your mouth