World’s Fastest Production Car Takes Record on Michelin Tyres

Shelby SuperCars’ Ultimate Aero, fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tyres, has set a new record of 256.18mph. This, according to Michelin, meant the “Ultimate Aero” is set to be officially recognised as the world’s fastest production car. The SSC Ultimate Aero was clocked at 15mph quicker than the previous titleholder, the Koenigsegg CCR and quicker than the Bugatti Veyron’s unofficial speed claim of 252.55mph. This is the first time that an American manufacturer has held this world title since the iconic Ford GT40 way back in 1967.

Michelin has been the tyre technical partner of Shelby SuperCars since the project was founded by Jerod Shelby seven years ago and has contributed technical advice on suspension design and set up for the Ultimate Aero. The Pilot Sport PS2 tyres fitted for the trial had to withstand speeds up to 257mph on the closed undulating country roads used for the test in Washington State – apparently with little to no wear.

The SSC Ultimate Aero has 1,183bhp and the twin-turbo V8 engine develops 1,094ft-lbs of torque. The remarkably low drag coefficient of .357 enables SSC to calculate that the car is aerodynamically stable up to 273mph, indicating that there are even faster speeds to be achieved if a suitable test track can be located which allows an adequate distance to build up the speed before passing through the measured mile. The trial requires the car to drive in both directions over the course within one hour and the average speed is taken to establish the record figure.