Introduction
Since the Benz Patent Motorwagen was unveiled in 1886, things have greatly changed in the world of streetcar industry. The first automobile was fashioned out of steel tubing and wooden paneling, with three wheels. Today these have been replaced by lightweight carbon fiber and Kevlar.
In the meantime the field of automotive engineering has become one of the serious fields of research as human beings seek a streetcar that can move faster than the last model. Several models have claimed the top prize in the world of street car competitions for speed and efficiency.
Below are some of the best streetcar models that are fast and efficient:
Step 1
SSC Ultimate Aero TT
These streetcar models are made from carbon fiber, titanium and decked with butterfly doors. Currently the streetcar holds the world record for being the fastest production car ever made blasting at a speed of 257 mph in 2007 in Washington. The streetcar is able to move from zero to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds. It has 1,183 horsepower thus granting it more power that any other streetcar in history. The model was founded by the company owner David Shelby who is an engineer and one time go-kart champion.
Step 2
Bugatti Veyron 16.4
This model of a streetcar weighs 4,500 pounds and can reach a speed of 60 mph in 5 seconds as well as decelerate back to zero in 2.3 seconds. Its luxurious 2-tone retro-design smacks of the 1920s -1930s. It does not come cheap as it last fetched more than 1.7 million in a sale.
Koenigger CCR
It’s a Swedish 2-seater streetcar model with a removable hardtop and enjoyed a brief moment in the limelight. In 2005 it was rated among the fastest streetcar models at 241 mph on an racetrack. The company that made this streetcar was founded by Christian von Koenigsegg in 1994 and builds their models from a former Swedish Air force facility.
Its body is made of carbon fiber and Kevlar. The body is a symbol of the squadron that used the hangar previously. The model consortium this year led the investors to buy fellow Swedish automaker Saab from the General Motors.
Mclaren F1
This is one of the streetcar models that dominated the world for more than 7 years between 1998 and 2005.It was also rated among the fastest in the world with the ability to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in only 3.2 seconds. In 1995 the F1 managed to beat the first legal streetcar prototype racecars in the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s a three-seater with the driver’s seat in the middle while passengers’ seats are placed behind on each side of the streetcar.
It was designed by racecar designer Gordon Murray who is also an engineer. The materials used for the car includes gold, carbon fiber, magnesium and titanium thus creating a combination of a powerful yet lightweight vehicle in the process. When the streetcar was released British car magazine, Autocar said" The F1 is likely to be the fastest road car ever made in the world.
