The Veyron Killer? I Don't Think So.

2012 Shelby Supercars Tuatara (Courtesy of Jason Tang)

We might've lost the Women's World Cup to Japan (who actually needed the win), but we're determined to be the #1 country of speed. You may remember the last time Shelby and Bugatti faced off. Back then, it was the Veyron and the Ultimate Aero. While Veyron only made due with 252 MPH, the Ultimate Aero soared off with 256 MPH making it the fastest car in the world, even though it was much uglier than the Veyron. Now, it's the Veyron Super Sport vs. Shelby's newest creation, the Tuatara. The one thing I like about this car is that it looks like it will go very fast. If you look at it from a side angle, like so...

Side Angle (Courtesy of Jason Tang)

...it looks like a streamlined jet. And the front looks much better than that oblong mess that was here when the Veyron 16.4 was still around. But, as the new worldwide king of speed, I'd give it a thumbs down. I know Shelby have tried, but if I see that they've implied some science and pure engineering into building this car, I don't think they have what it takes to beat the Veyron Super Sport. And then there's the name: Tuatara. It might've come from a New Zealand lizard, or from their finest craft brewery, but it doesn't sound like a strong name that you would give to a hyper car (no offense to New Zealand of course). For example, Ferrari have the Enzo which sounds dashing and that's because the car is such a pantomime thing. Lamborghini have the Murcielago which is the name of a Spanish bull, and that name fits with that car. It's fast, it's dangerous, it's a screamer, it's mean, it's intimidating, and it demands a known presence: everything that a real bull does. Bugatti, obviously, have the Veyron, which is actually the last name to olden French racer Pierre Veyron, who was the fastest french man round the French circuit back in the day. That name fits with this car. The Veyron is undoubtedly the fastest car in the world leaving all of its competitors in Quad-Turbocharged dust. Shelby, on the other hand, had a whole book of names to choose from, even the "Ultimate Aero III", but instead they went for Tuatara, which is a New Zealand lizard. That name is neither intimidating or manly at all. Anyway, my point is, why settle for a car named after a reptile or a beer shop when you can go for a car named after one fast old french man. I'd go with that.