Motor Authority - blog Tag: Guinness

You may recall that we first reported about British sports car manufacturer Keating and its new supercar duo, the respective SKR and TKR, back in April of 2008.

At the time, Keating was boasting that the more hard-edged TKR would be capable of breaking the world land speed record for a production car, which was then held by the Bugatti Veyron.

At this year’s MPH Auto Show in the UK, Keating was claiming that its TKR supercar had posted an “unofficial” top speed of 260.1 mph in a round of testing that took place last month at California’s Salt Lake Flats.

In the first of two runs on the Salt Lake Flats, the 7.0-liter,...

You may recall that we first reported about British sports car manufacturer Keating and its new supercar duo, the respective SKR and TKR, back in April of 2008. At the time, Keating was boasting that the more hard-edged TKR would be capable of breaking the world land speed record for a production car, which was then held by the Bugatti Veyron. At this year’s MPH Auto Show in the UK, Keating was claiming that its TKR supercar had posted an “unofficial” top speed of 260.1 mph in a round of testing that took place last month at California’s Salt Lake Flats. In the first of two runs on the Salt Lake Flats, the 7.0-liter, 1,800 horsepower TKR reportedly smashed the current record, adding an extra 3.0 mph to the top speed of existing title holder, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT. Now, Keating must do it again to ensure entry in the Guinness Book of World Records. The TKR, and its more subdued SKR sibling, are based around the same basic chassis, consisting of a steel spaceframe structure (or optional carbon-fiber) and a GM-sourced V-8 powertrain. The car’s body panels can be ordered in either fiberglass or carbon-fiber and the only transmission option is a 5-speed Porsche transaxle, which channels power strictly to the rear wheels. There are two different engines to choose from--a 6.0-liter or 7.0-liter GM V-8--and both come either naturally aspirated, supercharged or turbocharged. Keating is still taking orders for the car, which is expected to enter production in limited numbers by the end of the year. [Keating] Read More

It may not be as flash or luxurious as the Bugatti Veyron, but the Ultimate Aero TT from America’s Shelby SuperCars (SSC) is currently listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest production car on the planet. The car’s official top speed of 255.83mph (411.76km/h) - 3.11mph (5.01km/h) faster than the Veyron - was set in September of last year and to this day no other production car has been able to beat it – officially at least.

Enthusiasts from all over the world now have a chance to actually own this piece of automotive history as the actual record-breaking car is up for sale on eBay. Being only one of 26... It may not be as flash or luxurious as the Bugatti Veyron, but the Ultimate Aero TT from America’s Shelby SuperCars (SSC) is currently listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest production car on the planet. The car’s official top speed of 255.83mph (411.76km/h) - 3.11mph (5.01km/h) faster than the Veyron - was set in September of last year and to this day no other production car has been able to beat it – officially at least. Enthusiasts from all over the world now have a chance to actually own this piece of automotive history as the actual record-breaking car is up for sale on eBay. Being only one of 26 cars in 123 years to hold the record, the Ultimate Aero TT joins a special list of cars that include the 1932 Duesenberg SJ, 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, 1986 Porsche 959, 1990 Lamborghini Diablo, 1994 McLaren F1, and of course the 2005 Bugatti Veyron. This particular car is a 2007 model and is finished in ‘Palladium’ silver, matched with a black Alcantara interior. Other goodies include satnav, a 10-speaker stereo, reverse camera, and a 1183hp (882kW) twin-turbo V8 powerplant. Despite being the record holder, this particular car may be surpassed by the 2009 model year Ultimate Aero TT, which has been upgraded with an additional 100hp (75kW) and has a theoretical top speed of 270mph (435km/h). No official times has been set but we're sure SSC will do a new world-record run so they can retain the bragging rights.2009 SSC Ultimate Aero Read More

Shelby SuperCars (SSC), the American supercar manufacturer behind the world’s fastest production car, the Ultimate Aero, has today confirmed plans to build an all-electric version of the record-breaker. Aptly named the Ultimate Aero EV (Electric Vehicle), the green supercar will begin testing next month and will be first unveiled in the second-quarter.

SSC will be using its Ultimate Aero platform to showcase the technology but insists that the company is planning to produce its green technologies for a wide range of applications, including a wider range of vehicles. SSC's electric powertrain package, named AESP (All-Electric Scalable... Shelby SuperCars (SSC), the American supercar manufacturer behind the world’s fastest production car, the Ultimate Aero, has today confirmed plans to build an all-electric version of the record-breaker. Aptly named the Ultimate Aero EV (Electric Vehicle), the green supercar will begin testing next month and will be first unveiled in the second-quarter. SSC will be using its Ultimate Aero platform to showcase the technology but insists that the company is planning to produce its green technologies for a wide range of applications, including a wider range of vehicles. SSC's electric powertrain package, named AESP (All-Electric Scalable Powertrain) is unique due to its scalable horsepower, light weight, compact size, quick recharge time and liquid cooling. The key differentiator to rival technologies is its scalability. SSC plans to use variations of the powertrain in SUV and commercial vehicle platforms, with power outputs expected to range from between 200hp (147kW) and 1,200hp (895kW) – the latter would be reserved for delivery trucks, heavy duty equipment, buses and military vehicles. The advanced powertrain relies on SSC’s own nanotechnology rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which the company claims is rechargeable in only 10 minutes on a standard 110V outlet and has a 150-200 mile range on a single charge. The AESP system features twin 3-Phase AC induction electric motors measuring just 13in in diameter and weighing in at just 200lbs (90kg). Despite their small size, the motors in the Ultimate Aero EV demonstration vehicle will churn out a combined 500hp (373kW) and 821lb-ft (1,114Nm) of torque. If the technology proves successful, SSC will start selling the powertrain to major carmakers, governments, and other businesses. Initial pricing for mass-produced units are $5K-$6K per unit for 1,000 to 10,000 (with further reduction in unit cost for increased production.) While some of the claims do sound ambitious, SSC has proven that it can achieve lofty goals if it sets out to. Last year we saw the company’s Ultimate Aero TT win the record for the world’s fastest car with a top speed run of 255.83mph (411.76km/h). The story doesn’t end there, as SSC is also gunning for the title of manufacturer of the world’s fastest electric car and plans to contend the challenge later this year.2009 SSC Ultimate Aero Read More

What is one to do when owning the world's fastest production car just isn't enough? Buy the new year model, of course. Or at least that's the approach at Shelby Supercars (SSC), makers of the twin-turbo Ultimate Aero. The new 2009-model car is already setting its sights on raising the world -record speed set by the previous car to 270mph (434.5km/h).

Though the SSC team claims a 15% gain in horsepower over the old car, according to our calculations the 104hp (78kW) gain over the 1,183hp (882kW) 2008-model car is only about 8%. It's still a very significant 8%, however, putting the Ultimate Aero in a league of its own.

The central change in... What is one to do when owning the world's fastest production car just isn't enough? Buy the new year model, of course. Or at least that's the approach at Shelby Supercars (SSC), makers of the twin-turbo Ultimate Aero. The new 2009-model car is already setting its sights on raising the world -record speed set by the previous car to 270mph (434.5km/h). Though the SSC team claims a 15% gain in horsepower over the old car, according to our calculations the 104hp (78kW) gain over the 1,183hp (882kW) 2008-model car is only about 8%. It's still a very significant 8%, however, putting the Ultimate Aero in a league of its own. The central change in the Ultimate Aero's powertrain that allowed the increased power is the use of a 1-piece billet aluminum engine block. This improves the strength of the unit, as well as the ability to deliver oil to the key components of the engine, which in turn allows the SSC engineers to turn the turbo boost up even higher. Redesigned aerodynamics at the front end improve airflow while allowing for a higher top speed. With 20% more air reaching the radiators, cooling of the hyper-performance twin-turbo engine is much improved. Other new features for the 2009 model include a carbon fiber rear 'AeroBrake' spoiler that deploys when slowing the car, a la the Bugatti Veyron. When the brake pedal is pressed, an actuator pushes the spoiler up an additional 8in, increasing resistance and downforce to shorten stopping distance. Inside the car gets exposed carbon fiber aplenty, across the dashboard, air vents and doorsills and around the instruments and steering column. A new center console features a digital temperature readout, tire pressure monitor and Azentek PC base 'infotainment' unit. SSC is also working on an all-electric version of the Aero, though no news on that car's development accompanies release of the 2009 model.2009 SSC Ultimate Aero Read More

The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), an Australian university, has unveiled Australia's first hydrogen powered race car, dubbed 'Formula H' and developed in conjunction with the Fachhochschule Ingolstadt University of Applied Sciences.

With speeds of around 106mph (170km/h) expected, the car will be racing to put its name in the Guinness Book of Records should it be successful in outpacing its single-seater hydrogen-powered competitors. If 106mph doesn't sound exactly blistering, don't write off the capabilities of hydrogen just yet - last year Ford raced a hydrogen-powered Ford Fusion to a speed of 207mph (333km/h) using a... The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), an Australian university, has unveiled Australia's first hydrogen powered race car, dubbed 'Formula H' and developed in conjunction with the Fachhochschule Ingolstadt University of Applied Sciences. With speeds of around 106mph (170km/h) expected, the car will be racing to put its name in the Guinness Book of Records should it be successful in outpacing its single-seater hydrogen-powered competitors. If 106mph doesn't sound exactly blistering, don't write off the capabilities of hydrogen just yet - last year Ford raced a hydrogen-powered Ford Fusion to a speed of 207mph (333km/h) using a 770hp (574kW) electric engine. The professor behind the car, Aleksander Subic, was optimistic about the car's effect on current thinking about hydrogen, stating that through the one-seater hydrogen powered car he wished to "show the world the possibilities of this alternative clean technology". The German-Australian built car will be powered by an internal combustion engine that uses hydrogen for power, and its relatively low speed is governed by the requirements for the record. Additionally, a small motorcycle engine has been used to keep weight down and maximize the car's efficiency. Subic was keen to extol the virtues of hydrogen in both consumer applications and racing cars, with the ultimate goal of one day seeing "a clean and green Formula 1 competition" powered by hydrogen. Already at least two other hydrogen-fueled race series have been proposed, while EnviroSportscar is working on a wide-open 'green' racing series that allows for a range of technologies. Read More

The Guinness World Record for lowest fuel consumption has been claimed by hypermiling power couple John and Helen Taylor at the wheel of a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Burning diesel across the lower 48 United States, the pair averaged 58.82mpg (3.99L/100km) over 20 days.

Previously the record for lowest fuel consumption on a transnational trip had been set at 51.58mpg (4.56L/100km), making the new record an improvement of 14%. The total trip distance was far from direct, totaling 9,419mi (15,070km) with an average fuel cost of 6.9 cents per mi, for a total of $653. Guinness World Records has yet to officially certify the record, but it is... The Guinness World Record for lowest fuel consumption has been claimed by hypermiling power couple John and Helen Taylor at the wheel of a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Burning diesel across the lower 48 United States, the pair averaged 58.82mpg (3.99L/100km) over 20 days. Previously the record for lowest fuel consumption on a transnational trip had been set at 51.58mpg (4.56L/100km), making the new record an improvement of 14%. The total trip distance was far from direct, totaling 9,419mi (15,070km) with an average fuel cost of 6.9 cents per mi, for a total of $653. Guinness World Records has yet to officially certify the record, but it is expected to enter the books without issue. "The terrain was very diverse, the weather less than ideal, and the traffic heavy at rush hour and the VW Jetta TDI handled it all beautifully, showing its fuel efficiency and its fun-to-drive dynamic capability, just two of this vehicle's many attributes," said John Taylor. Fuel efficiency was tracked and measured over 12 official check-in points across the country as the Taylors progressed through their record-setting drive. The all-new 2009 Jetta TDI features a 50-state emissions-legal clean diesel engine. Rated by the EPA at 29mpg (8.11L/100km) city and 40mpg (5.88L/100km)highway, the car has been proven to be capable of significantly better economy in the right hands. Even under the guidance of more typical drivers, however, VW estimates the real-world performance of the car to be nearer to 38mpg (6.18L/100km) in the city and 44mpg (5.34L/100km) on the highway. The new Jetta starts at $21,990 for the sedan and $23,950 for the SportWagen, though both models are eligible for a $1,300 tax credit from the IRS due to their efficiency.2009 VW Jetta Sportwagen2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Read More