Construction of world's first 1000mph car is underway

[Bateluer]

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/02/11/supersonic.bloodhound.build.start/index.html

Combined, the Bloodhound SSC will generate a mind-boggling 133,000 bhp -- the equivalent of over 1,200 family saloons or 160 Formula One cars, according to Chapman.

Unsurprisingly, the 6.4 ton car isn't the quickest out of the blocks and would be outpaced by a Bugatti Veyron -- the world's fastest road car -- in a drag race from 0-100 mph -- taking 15 seconds compared to the Veyron's seven.

But it's no contest after that, Chapman says, as the Bloodhound SSC goes from 100-1,000 mph in 25 seconds.

Shotgun!

 

[Zebo]

Looks like a rocket on wheels.

 

[SuperjetMatt]

1,200 family saloons? Damn.

 

[iGas]

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/02/11/supersonic.bloodhound.build.start/index.html



Shotgun!

"We spent two-and-a-half years building up concepts and pretty much eight months ago we cracked the aerodynamic shape that is completely stable up to 1.3 mach (858 mph) and creates no lift."

That is a far cry from 1000 mph, and the next question is have they perfected the tires & wheels compound & design?

 

[Zen0]

It seems to me a bit like creating a uranium vehicle with no fueling station in the world that could provide it with fuel.

Where is it going to do 1000mph?

 

[Squisher]

It seems to me a bit like creating a uranium vehicle with no fueling station in the world that could provide it with fuel.

Where is it going to do 1000mph?

http://www.utah.com/playgrounds/bonneville_salt.htm

 

[Bateluer]

http://www.utah.com/playgrounds/bonneville_salt.htm

No, actually.

Chapman and team have spent two years scouting for a suitable location to carry out the record attempt -- traditional places where land speed records are broken simply aren't big or flat enough, he says.

They finally settled on the Hakskeen Pan Desert in South Africa which Chapman thinks should allow them the 10 miles of flat surface they need to complete a record attempt.

 

[Zen0]

I wonder who is funding this, I would think the money could be better suited to something a bit more awesome looking rather than a land-locked rocket on wheels, which seems utterly inane to me.

 

[Bateluer]

I wonder who is funding this, I would think the money could be better suited to something a bit more awesome looking rather than a land-locked rocket on wheels, which seems utterly inane to me.

Looks like a number of different people, businesses, and educational institutions.
http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/sponsors.cfm

It may seem inane, but projects like this expand our understanding of physics and materials, as well as pioneer advances in manufacturing, propulsion, aerodynamics, etc.

 

[JulesMaximus]

1,200 family saloons? Damn.

Must some weak assed saloons. My family saloon makes 255hp.

 

[dennilfloss]

This thing develops as many HPs as a WWII battleship...😱

 

[Howard]

Why are all the smart people named Chapman?

 

[nyker96]

I never knew 1000mph is possible. at about 300mph I think if anything has any type of wings however tiny will create enough lift to make the car unstable or even fly. at 1000 mph god, this thing better be very carefully designed.

 

[gophins72]

wonder what the miles per gallon is

 

[Howard]

I never knew 1000mph is possible. at about 300mph I think if anything has any type of wings however tiny will create enough lift to make the car unstable or even fly. at 1000 mph god, this thing better be very carefully designed.

If the body experiences downforce, it'll experience more downforce as it goes faster.

 

[drinkmorejava]

"aren't big or flat enough"

They obviously aren't well connected if they couldn't get 17/35 at Edwards.

 

[destrekor]

wonder what the miles per gallon is

probably in the realm of GPM.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

The design of this car is quite a bit different then their current record car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKQ-xj5C2m8&feature=related

 

[busydude]

wonder what the miles per gallon is

It is using a jet engine.. do they even care? Oh, and since it uses an F1 engine too.. that is about 4 MPG.. just for that engine.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

It is using a jet engine.. do they even care?

They should care. If I am going to buy one for a daily driver I need good mileage.

 

[ussfletcher]

probably in the realm of tens of GPM.

ftfy

 

[JS80]

I never knew 1000mph is possible. at about 300mph I think if anything has any type of wings however tiny will create enough lift to make the car unstable or even fly. at 1000 mph god, this thing better be very carefully designed.

I'm with you on this. Wouldn't this be a rocket that's pushed down against the ground?

 

[TridenT]

They should care. If I am going to buy one for a daily driver I need good mileage.

Are all the places you go on a very flat surface over long distances AND require no turning at all?

 

[qliveur]

Pretty sure there are only 2 possible outcomes, here:

1) New landspeed record

2) Charred, greasy streak on a dry lake bed

 

[guyver01]

That
looks
AWESOME!