Name of the Project
Project Bloodhound supersonic car (SSC) project.
Location
UK and South Africa's Northern Cape province.
Client
Bloodhound Programme.
Project Description
The project involves the construction of, possibly, the world’s fastest car.
The SSC is an amalgamation of car and aircraft technology, with the front half being a carbon-fibre monocoque, similar to that of a racing car, and the back half being a metallic frame, with panels like those of an aircraft. It is expected to reach a speed of more than 1 600 km/h.
The Bloodhound will have a slender, 14-m-long body, with two front wheels mounted within the body and two rear wheels mounted externally within the wheel fairings.
Potential Job Creation
Not stated.
Value
R515-million.
Duration
The Bloodhound team announced in May this year that it expected to race in South Africa next year, slowly ramping up to tackle the 1 600 km/h record in October or November 2019.
Latest Developments
Project Bloodhound has been halted, owing to a lack of funds, BBC News and other media have reported.
Engineering News reported in October this year that the Bloodhound Programme, the UK company behind the project, had entered into administration, as it sought about £25-million in funding to progress the project to completion.
The project has operated on a partnership and sponsorship model, with support from various partners, including Rolls-Royce and Rolex, the UK Ministry of Defence and the Northern Cape provincial government.
As required funding has not been achieved, the Bloodhound supersonic vehicle – built with a Rolls-Royce Eurofighter jet engine bolted to a rocket, is now available at a cost of about £250 000, BBC News quoted the vehicle’s driver Andy Green as saying.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
Castrol (lubricants, brake and hydraulic fluids), Poynting (antennas).
On Budget and on Time?
Project Bloodhound has been halted, owing to a lack of funds.
Contact Details for Project Information
Mettle PR, on behalf of Bloodhound, Jules Tipler, tel +44 7811 166 796 or email jules.tipler@mettlepr.com.