Shelby Tuatara

Move over Bugatti! Shelby Supercars has released new pictures and named its brand-new contender in the supercar class - the Tuatara.

The US firm is a former holder of the world's fastest production car title - that was with its 1,183HP SCC Ultimate Aero TT that recorded a top speed of 257 mph. The 258mph Bugatti Veyron Super Sport topped that, but now Shelby is back for revenge

Styled by Saab's current design boss, Jason Castriota, the Tuatara will use a 1,331bhp twin-turbo 7.0-litre V8, sending power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed manual or a seven-speed robotised manual gearbox. Performance figures are yet to be released but the aim is clear - to surpass the Super Sport's 258mph top speed.

the name Tuatara actually refers to a type of reptile, native to New Zealand. It supposedly has the fastest evolving molecular structure in nature, something that the company's owner, Jarod Shelby, feels it shares with his carbon-fibre-bodied supercar.

"Most manufacturers essentially use the same basic model and body shape for up to 10 years, while only making small refinements to it each year. After only three years in production with the Ultimate Aero, SSC's Tuatara is about to monumentally evolve in the areas of sophistication, design, aerodynamics and shear all‐around performance. We felt that the fastest evolving DNA was a perfect definition of SSC's latest project.," he said.

There's no word on price, specification or release date yet for the Tuatara, but expect to see Shelby take a crack at the speed record before the end of the year.

Bugatti’s land speed record, again!

Veyron Super Sports sets 268mph production car Guinness World Record.

It’s official! The Bugatti Veyron is once again the fastest production car in the world. Bugatti’s official test driver Pierre Henri Raphanel completed two top speed runs at VW’s Ehra-Lessien test track, recording an average time of 268mph.

The car used for the run is the new Super Sports special edition of the Veyron which makes its public debut at the Pebble Beach Concours next month.

Taking the already potent standard coupe as a base, the firm’s engineers have increased the size of the four turbos and intercoolers. This has upped power to 1,183bhp and 1,500Nm of torque. New, motorsport-inspired dampers have also been fitted.

Road cars will be limited to ‘just’ 258mph, and the first five Super Sports cars, which have already been sold, will get the same exposed black carbon fibre and orange paint scheme as the record breaking Veyron.

All Super Sports cars feature different bodywork to improve aerodynamics. Made using a new carbon fibre weave to reduce weight, the body now features an elongated cover for the engine which incorporates huge ducts to scoop air into the engine. The front bumper also gains revised intakes.

So far, Bugatti has sold 260 Veyrons, 35 drop top Grand Sports and five Super Sports models, taking the firm to 300 cars. Bugatti originally planned to sell 300 cars by 2012, but this looks set to be extended due to the car’s popularity, despite its £1-million-plus price tag.