The World’s Fastest Supercar – The Shelby Supercars Tuatara

The supercar club is about to get more crowded as there is a new kid on the block – the Shelby Supercars Tuatara (pronounced twu-ta-rah – a Maori word meaning ‘peaks on the back’). Inspired by a modern day New Zealand reptile of the same name, the latest supercar comes to the party with an impressive list of specifications.

The Tuatara is powered by a twin-turbocharged 7.0-litre V8 delivering around 1,350hp (1,007kW). Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a 7-speed manual gearbox or an optional 7-speed SMG Paddle Shift sequential automatic gearbox.

“The design specifications for the Next Generation SSC were so extreme; we knew early on that a proper name would be a key piece of the puzzle for this project,” company founder Jarod Shelby said in a statement.

“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,” Jarod Shelby explained.

“After only three years in production with the Ultimate Aero, SSC’s Tuatara is about to monumentally evolve in the areas of sophistication, design, aerodynamics and shear all?around performance. We felt that the fastest evolving DNA was a perfect definition of SSC’s latest project.”

Founded in 1999, the American company isn’t new to the super-fast car scene. Some might remember the SCC Ultimate Aero TT with 1,183HP (883kW) that recorded a top speed of 413 km/h (257 mph) in 2007. It essentially snatched the fastest production car crown from the standard Bugatti Veyron. However, it ultimately surrendered the title back to Bugatti with its 1,200hp (895kW) Veyron Super Sport with a blistering top speed of 415 km/h (258 mph).

Although Shelby Supercars has not divulged any performance numbers, Shelby is keen to reclaim the top podium position as the fastest production car in the world with the carbon-fibre bodied Tuatara.

Watch the video below as Shelby gives an insight into his newest supercar.