SSC Tuatara unveiled at Philadelphia Auto Show and We Can’t Stop Staring
![SSC Tuatara unveiled at Philadelphia Auto Show and We Can’t Stop Staring](http://ec2-13-52-108-80.us-west-1.compute.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SSC-Tuatarasss-140x140.jpg)
When Dr Lawrence Caplin got the keys to his $2 million SSC Tuatara hypercar, during last summer’s Monterey Car Week, everyone at SSC North America promised to keep his identity a secret. Now we know why.
![](http://menzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SSC-Tuatara-1-1.jpg)
It seems the Philly native wanted to save the reveal of his new Tuatara for this week’s Philadelphia Auto Show (February 8 through 17),
![](http://menzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SSC-Tuatara-10.jpg)
where Caplin’s CF Charities organization presents a supercar display to help raise money for local kids.
![](http://menzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SSC-Tuatara-2-1.jpg)
SSC said it was able to achieve a clean look thanks to a combination of active and static wings, along with side-mounted buttresses designed to manipulate the airflow around the car and help boost downforce while also minimizing drag for top speed runs.
![](http://menzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SSC-Tuatara-6.jpg)
CEO and founder Jerod Shelby is on the record for stating that the Tuatara is the only hypercar with a legitimate shot at the 300 mph barrier.
![](http://menzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SSC-Tuatara-7.jpg)
The current land speed record for a production car is the 277.9 mph set by a Koenigsegg Agera RS in 2017, which SSC is keen to beat. Other performance targets of the Tuatara include a 0-60 mph time of 2.5 seconds and a quarter-mile ET of 9.75 seconds.
![](http://menzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SSC-Tuatara-5.jpg)
To smash the competition, the Tuatara will rely on a bespoke 5.9-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 developed by SSC. The engine has been dyno tested at 1,350 horsepower on pump gas and as much as 1,750 hp with E85.
![](http://menzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SSC-Tuatara-9.jpg)
And the choice of transmission is a 7-speed automated manual sourced from Italy’s CIMA, which was chosen for its high-speed (shifts in less than 100 milliseconds) and low-weight characteristics.
![](http://menzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SSC-Tuatara-3.jpg)
We’ll remind you that the dry weight of the Tuatara is only 2,750 pounds.
![](http://menzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SSC-Tuatara-8.jpg)
That’s a full 600 pounds lighter than a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ.
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