
Larry Caplin and his organization, CF Charities, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania reveals his 2020 SSC Tuatara, a decade of design, engineering, and development coming to fruition. The public has its first chance to witness the product at SSC North America headquarters in Richland, Washington, the first of one hundred exclusive units to be produced, on February 7th, 2020 at the Philadelphia Auto Show.
The hypercar, a project which internally at Tuatara received the code-named “Exceed”, began in 2009 with Jerod Shelby, SSC North America Founder, and CEO, assembling a collaboration of industry-leading individuals and firms to further succeed the company’s record-breaking SSC Ultimate Aero. This car held the Guinness World Record for Fastest Production Car in the World from 2007 to 2010 to which Shelby noted that this, “team had to reflect the achievements that we set out to accomplish [and] has not only achieved that original vision, but has surpassed it by an incredible margin,” said Shelby.
Designed in collaboration with world-renowned automotive designer Jason Castriota, the body – a lightweight carbon fiber skin with a robust carbon-fiber monocoque below – and aerodynamics – which meet strict aerospace standards thanks in part to its collaboration with Washington State which has been a global leader in aerospace innovation – of the Tuatara sets the Tuatara apart from its competitors. “Not only does the car boast a class-leading 0.279 drag coefficient, but also maintains an identical aero balance from 100 mph to well over 300 mph, resulting in an incredibly stable and predictable car that instills absolute confidence in the driver,” said Castriota
On the pursuit of the extreme performance of unprecedented power, speed, and versatility, Shelby’s team started from the ground up building a powerplant as well as designing a bespoke engine in collaboration with Tom Nelson of Nelson Racing Engines. The SSC Twin Turbo V8 revolutionizes the potential of hypercar powerplants producing 1,350 horsepower with 91 octanes or a massive 1,750 horsepower with E85.
Integrated into the Tuatara are advanced automated systems with capabilities with a touch of the button to completely alter the suspension, ride height, handling, acceleration, shifting, and overall drivability. From its default Sport Mode which sets the car at 4.0″ front and 4.5″ rear ride height, there is also Track Mode which lowers the car to 2.74″ front and 3.25″ rear and Lifts Mode allowing for clearance over speed bumps or other raised surfaces. Other features that offer an unprecedented experience include:
- Dihedral opening doors offer both spacious cab egress and stunning curbside attraction, as well as ease of use. At the press of a button, the hydraulically actuated doors open effortlessly, welcoming the individual to a well-appointed cockpit.
- The driver is seamlessly connected to the car through a user-focused digital HMI (human-machine interface) driver display, designed to provide crucial driving information to the driver in an easily navigable yet striking design.
- On the center console sits a readily available touch screen system, offering the driver all of the vehicle’s toggles, controls, diagnostics, and entertainment in a practical user interface.
- At the touch of the screen, the driver has access to the multiple driving modes, tire pressures, complete diagnostics, climate control, music, and more.
- At the center of the driver’s helm is the Tuatara steering wheel with custom paddle shifts, accessible buttons, and toggles, and a shift light indicator to overtly prompt the driver during intense track handling situations.
- Passengers as tall as 6’5″ will fit comfortably in the cabin, even with sporting a race helmet.