The Tuatara is a hypercar unlike any other. It is the culmination of over a decade of research and development to produce a road legal, high performance vehicle capable of delivering an otherworldly driving experience. Influenced by fighter jet aerodynamics and performance, the presence of the Tuatara inspires a sense of both intensity and simplistic design. Its striking profile is futuristic in its function, yet timeless in its form.
Striking Presence
The striking body of the Tuatara was designed in collaboration with world renowned designer Jason Castriota. The alluring curves offer simplistic and aerodynamic qualities, while maintaining a unique profile that stands out from the rest. Butterfly doors offer both spacious cab egress and stunning curbside attraction. A riveting transformation occurs when the front and rear deck lids are lifted, exposing the robust carbon fiber monocoque and intricate suspension system. In the forward deck, a storage compartment offers room for luggage and other possessions to be stowed. In the rear, the powerful and jaw-dropping powertrain is unveiled, a work of automotive art.
SOPHISTICATED SIMPLICITY
The interior of the Tuatara embodies the same precocious functionality and simplistic guise found in its exterior. The teardrop canopy provides the driver and passenger with sweeping views. An advanced and beautiful HMI (Human-Machine Interface) gives the driver critical driving and vehicle information on a digital driver display, as well as a centrally located information console, where almost all functionality and information is available at the touch of a finger.
Aerodynamics
Unmatched Aerodynamics
The design of the Tuatara goes further than visual appearance. The intentional design of the body was meticulously crafted to carry the car through the air with unprecedented ease. Boasting a coefficient of drag lower than any other car in its class, the Tuatara is well balanced between unmatched aerodynamics and precision downforce at top speed.
Intentional form
Rear static winglets, side mounted buttresses, forward static wing, and a rear active wing manipulate the smooth flowing air to distribute precision down force on the wheels. Air is also diverted to intakes that efficiently cool the powerful drive train, then expelled through perforations in the body to sustain the deliberate airflow. Downforce is systematically applied across the hypercar, providing perfect balance at all speeds.
Performance
Unprecedented Performance
Performance is the centerpiece of a hypercar. The Tuatara brings an unprecedented amount of power and performance to the road, driven by a bespoke V8 engine and robotized manual transmission that offer an experience unlike any other.
Elegance meets power
The heart of the Tuatara is an engineering masterpiece in and of itself. Years of meticulous design and engineering at SSC North America culminated into unadulterated power generated from an engine built from the ground up exclusively for the Tuatara. With a flat-plane crank configuration, the smooth, balanced power produced offers both incredible performance and a unique hypercar experience. To ensure the engine met the standards of quality, performance, and durability that the hypercar market demands, SSC North America partnered with Nelson Racing Engines to fabricate and manufacture the V8 engine that powers this next generation hypercar.
Robotized manual
The Tuatara’s unprecedented power is transferred to a CIMA 7 speed transmission, integrated with a state-of-the-art Automac AMT system that operates the engagement and selection of movement in the gearbox. The system includes hydraulic driven components and sensors to produce high force engagement, position accuracy, and load control within milliseconds. The clutch and gear selection actuation are electrically operated, providing high precision and strategic operation. The core of the system is powered by a powerful automotive microprocessor, ensuring exceptional safety and performance.
Handling
Dynamic Handling
The Tuatara was designed with a diverse and unique driving experience in mind. Track-level handling offers drivers the ability to aggressively engage in corner focused driving, straight-line runs, or docile street driving. Categorized into three driving modes, the car is transformed at the touch of a finger from the center console
Sport Mode
In Sport Mode, the Tuatara becomes an all-around drivers car. The suspension is actuated to a front ride height of 4.0″ and rear height of 4.5″. Shifting characteristics through the robotized manual transmission become more docile, allowing for ease of operation in city street environments.
Track Mode
In Track Mode, the Tuatara transforms into a performance beast. The geometry of the suspension is adjusted to offer extreme track-level handling while lowering the front ride height to 2.74″ and the rear height to 3.25″. The rear active wing dynamically acts as a control surface, adjusting pitch and height based on speed to maintain deliberate airflow and balanced precision downforce. While braking, the active rear wing deflects accordingly, spoiling the airflow and delivering superior braking capabilities. The robotized transmission is configured for aggressive 50 millisecond shifts.
Front Life Mode
Front Lift Mode offers convenience in situations that would otherwise limit the low ride height of the Tuatara. The front suspension is lifted an additional 40mm, allowing for clearance over speed bumps or other raised surfaces. Ease of transport is achieved through this adjusted ride height as well.
Report by sscnorthamerica.com
