Ultimate Aero Going After Bugatti EB Veyron 16.4's Speed Record

WEST RICHLAND, Wash. — Little-known U.S. supercar maker SSC is aiming to put its name in lights with a crack at the top speed record for road-legal production cars. The title is currently held by the Bugatti EB Veyron 16.4 at an independently verified 253 mph.

The company behind the Ultimate Aero is planning to close down a 12-mile stretch of Nevada's Highway 93 on March 21 for the first run at the Veyron's record. SSC's weapon of choice is a specially prepared version of the Ultimate Aero prepared by MKM Racing. It is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.3-liter V8 that can reportedly put out a staggering 1,183 horsepower along with 1,094 pound-feet of torque.

The low-slung two-seater has already been tested at NASA's wind tunnel in Langley, Virginia, where it is claimed to have shown the potential for a top speed of 273 mph. However, it remains to be seen whether it can achieve that figure on the road. Existing performance claims for the Ultimate Aero put its 0-60-mph time at 2.78 seconds and 0-100-mph time at just 11.66 seconds. Its standing-quarter-mile time is put at 9.90 seconds with a terminal speed of 144 mph.