Performance Review: SSC Ultimate Aero TT - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

SSC Ultimate Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the SSC Ultimate Aero TT is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2009 Zenvo ST1 7.0 V8.This particular SSC Ultimate has a 6348cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Ultimate shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Ultimate's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1250 kgs (2755 lbs) this makes the SSC Ultimate Aero TT in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The SSC Ultimate shares the same bhp with the 2022 Koenigsegg CC850 4.9 V12 Twin Turbo (1169 bhp)

In terms of power the 6348cc 16V V8 engine produces 1183 bhp (882 kW) @ 6950 rpm similar to the 2022 Koenigsegg CC850 4.9 V12 Twin Turbo (1169 bhp) or the 2018 Zenvo TSR S 5.8 V8 Twin Supercharged (1177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 1094 lb-ft (1483.2 Nm) @ 6150 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2019 Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut 5.1 V8 BiTurbo (1106 lb-ft) or the 2019 Koenigsegg Jesko 5.1 V8 BiTurbo (1106 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the SSC Ultimate you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2019 Koenigsegg Jesko 5.1 V8 BiTurbo (969.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the SSC Ultimate.

The SSC Ultimate has a Power to weight ratio of 946.4 bhp per ton and 875.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 Ultimate competing with the 2019 Koenigsegg Jesko 5.1 V8 BiTurbo (969.6 bhp per ton) or the 2008 Caterham 7 RST-V8 Levante (961.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the SSC Ultimate generating around 875.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (888.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT (875.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 2.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 2.9 secs, this made the SSC Ultimate Aero TT as fast as the 2022 Mercedes AMG One 1.6 V6 Turbo Hybrid (2.80 secs) the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (2.80 secs) the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS Assetto 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (2.80 secs) the or the 2021 Ferrari 812 Competizione A 6.5L V12 (2.80 secs). This SSC Ultimate Aero TT is also faster than the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (2.90 secs) the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8 C8 (2.90 secs) the 2021 Maserati MC20 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (2.90 secs) the and the 2021 BMW 5 Series M5 CS 4.4 V8 Turbo F90 (2.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Ultimate and the 2021 Nissan NSX Type S 3.5L V6

When talking about the performance of the SSC Ultimate on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 8.34 secs @ 163.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2021 Nissan NSX Type S 3.5L V6 (8.31 secs), the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 992 (8.31 secs), and the 2009 Audi R8 Spyder 5.2L V10 (8.33 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the SSC Ultimate Aero TT has a maximum speed of 273mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 Ultimate equals the 2019 Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut 5.1 V8 BiTurbo (300 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT then how about the 2019 Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut 5.1 V8 BiTurbo (300 mph), the 2019 Koenigsegg Jesko 5.1 V8 BiTurbo (300 mph), or the 2020 Hennessey Venom F5 6.6 V8 Twin Turbo (311 mph).

Related Links:

2008 Ultimate Rivals List.

A Brief History of SSC

Car Comparison