It’s been described as the ‘world’s fastest car ’, and now the Bloodhound LSR has hit staggering speeds of 628mph.
The supersonic vehicle completed the test run on the racetrack in the Hakskeenpan desert, as part of a high speed test programme.
Bloodhound LSR tweeted the news, writing: “Bloodhound LSR is thrilled to have hit 628mph / 1010kmh today. Concluding our high speed test programme.”
During the test run, the car went supersonic, leading to the paint being stripped from the sides of the vehicle.
Bloodhound LSR said: “During the last run analysis showed airflow beneath the car went supersonic and stripped the paint from an area three meters back from the front wheels.”
Driver Andy Green was behind the wheel of the car, and said he was ‘delighted’ with the test run.
He said: “This morning we had the perfect conditions for a high speed run; cool temperatures and virtually no wind. After a slick start procedure from the team, the car handled superbly once again.
“The stability and confidence the car gives me as a driver is testament to the years of world class engineering that has been invested in her by team members past and present.
“With all the data generated by reaching 628 mph [1,010 km/h], we’re in a great position to focus on setting a new world land speed record in the next year or so.
“A vital component in the success of our high speed testing has been the race track created here at Hakskeenpan.
“It’s proved to be exactly what we need and I’m delighted with how the car has performed on it.”
The test run was a warm-up was part of a wider project, which is split into two phases.
Phase one’s target is to break the current world land speed record, of 763.035mph.
A statement from Bloodhound LSR explained: “This is necessary to understand how the car behaves as it enters the transonic stage initially and then supersonic speed levels.”
If Phase One is successful, the team will then attempt to reach staggering speeds of 1,000mph. A timeline for the project remains unclear.
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