Shelby SuperCars has revealed the successor to the SSC Aero, going by the name of Tuatara.

Shelby claims the 7.0-litre twin-turbo V8 will propel the beast to 275mph, which would snatch the Bugatti Veyron SuperSport’s title of fastest production car in the world. This wouldn’t be the first time this has happened; before the Veyron SuperSport was unveiled, the SSC Ultimate Aero posted an official average speed of 256mph, beating the ‘standard’ Veyron’s figure of 253mph.

Power will be sent to the rear wheels via either a 7-speed gearbox, in the form of a manual H-Pattern, or an SMG paddleshift. The Tuatara will make extensive use of carbonfibre throughout, with the tub, bodywork and one-piece wheels all doing their bit to justify the estimated £500,000 price tag. It was designed by current Saab design director Jason Castriota, who also penned the Ferrari P4/5 and Maserati GranTurismo. The winglets at the rear of the car are one of the reasons for its name, which translates from the Mâori language to mean ‘wings at the back’.

The name (pronounced twu-tar-ah) is shared with a reptile from New Zealand, which apparently has the fastest evolving DNA in nature. Fitting then, as the SSC Aero lasted just three years before ‘evolving’ into the newly revealed supercar. Jerod Shelby explains, “Most manufacturers essentially use the same basic model and body shape for up to 10 years, while only making small refinements to it each year. The Tuatara is about to monumentally evolve in the areas of sophistication, design, aerodynamics and sheer all-round performance.”

Details of a release date are yet to be revealed, but don’t be surprised if SSC has another crack at relieving Bugatti of its record. Just 12 Tuataras will be built at a price ranging from $190,000 to $325,000, depending on options.

Text: Joe Breeze
Photos: Shelby SSC