Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Contact    |    RSS icon Twitter icon Facebook icon  
Unexplained Mysteries
You are viewing: Home > News > Science & Technology > News story
Welcome Guest ( Login or Register )  
All ▾
Search Submit

Science & Technology

1,000mph supersonic car project has been axed

By T.K. Randall
December 9, 2018 · Comment icon 15 comments

There is a chance that the car could still break the speed record. Image Credit: YouTube / Bloodhound SSC
The highly ambitious Bloodhound SSC has now gone up for sale following a spate of financial difficulties.
Developed through a collaboration between 280 companies worldwide, the vehicle was meticulously designed with the goal of breaking the land speed record in spectacular fashion.

To achieve this, Bloodhound was to use its Rolls-Royce jet turbine engine to take it up to speeds of around 300mph before activating its powerful rocket engine to propel it the rest of the way.

The vehicle's third engine, a supercharged V8 Jaguar F-Type, had been designed to supply the rocket with hydrogen peroxide fuel at it went along.

Together the three engines would have been capable of producing 133,151bhp - the equivalent to 180 Formula One cars, while propelling the car at a speed that would cover a mile in just 3.6 seconds.
Now though, following an ongoing series of financial problems, the project has had to be scrapped, leaving the record unbroken and the vehicle itself on the market for a quarter of a million pounds.

It will take several million more to get the vehicle ready to attempt its 1,000mph run, but if the right backer picks it up and can fund it further there is a chance that it could still happen.

"If somebody is out there with a quarter of a million there is a car there," said driver Andy Green. "There is still a chance that Bloodhound could run."

"As far as Christmas presents go, that's the one I'd like."

Source: BBC News | Comments (15)




Other news and articles
Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #6 Posted by Aardvark-DK 6 years ago
Since the dawn of motoring, people have always tried to go faster, and I salute that. Question is, when they hit the friction limit... I sure hope they overcome their difficulties....
Comment icon #7 Posted by Berwen 6 years ago
Why? Can I get from Vancouver to London any faster and improve the lousy air travel we have now? Will it sped up the wait times for medical help? No, I think not so why do this? 
Comment icon #8 Posted by smokeycat 5 years ago
Why not? Isn't that what makes us Human?
Comment icon #9 Posted by Occams Razor 5 years ago
People will only keep putting money in the pot for so long. If they don't see any tangible results in what they consider a reasonable time they'll pull the plug. Especially if they see the main players in the project living the high life on their cash.
Comment icon #10 Posted by Still Waters 5 years ago
Latest:  
Comment icon #11 Posted by Seti42 5 years ago
Good. What a pointless waste of money and resources. "If somebody is out there with a quarter of a million there is a car there," said driver Andy Green. "There is still a chance that Bloodhound could run." Yeah, to anyone with $250,000 burning a hole in their pocket: Donate it to a reputable charity. Tis the season.
Comment icon #12 Posted by Hankenhunter 5 years ago
Considering the amount and type of fuel it would use to achieve the record, it's probably for the best that that  project was axed.  Hank
Comment icon #13 Posted by AllPossible 5 years ago
I'd rather see 180 formula 1 cars
Comment icon #14 Posted by paperdyer 5 years ago
Maybe if it takes less time, maybe the flights can be scheduled further apart to make the airports less crowded.  I don't see more than a hand full of increased travelers due to faster/shorter flights.  However, I'm sure the airlines would find some way to muck it up.
Comment icon #15 Posted by Still Waters 5 years ago
Latest:  


Please Login or Register to post a comment.


Our new book is out now!
Book cover

The Unexplained Mysteries
Book of Weird News

 AVAILABLE NOW 

Take a walk on the weird side with this compilation of some of the weirdest stories ever to grace the pages of a newspaper.

Click here to learn more

We need your help!
Patreon logo

Support us on Patreon

 BONUS CONTENT 

For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you can gain access to a wide range of exclusive perks including our popular 'Lost Ghost Stories' series.

Click here to learn more

Recent news and articles