Unveiled recently in London, the Bloodhound SSC (supersonic car) was built to become the first land vehicle to achieve 1,000 mph. A showcase for science and engineering technology, it will try to reach 800 mph in the South African desert next year, before attempting to make history in 2017. AkzoNobel, providing a high-performance coating system normally used for aircrafts, is helping this vehicle shoot for the record.
Powered by both a jet engine and a rocket, the company says that the Bloodhound is the most complicated car ever built. A conventional vehicle coating was never going to meet the stringent specifications, so the vehicle features paint normally reserved for aircrafts.
“We’re very happy to be involved with such an exciting project, which puts so much emphasis on science and technology,” said Conrad Keijzer, AkzoNobel’s executive committee member responsible for performance coatings. “Bloodhound is an outstanding technical achievement and the perfect way for us to showcase the performance capabilities of our products.”
The result of eight years of research, design and manufacturing, Bloodhound has been coated with products from the company’s Eclipse range of exterior polyurethane topcoats. Formulated to provide outstanding performance and lasting appearance, the Eclipse brand is traditionally used for commercial aviation.
Bloodhound’s first attempt at the record will take place at the Hakskeen Pan, Northern Cape, in South Africa next year. If it successfully reaches the target speed of 800 mph, it will break the current land speed record of 763 mph — which was set by Andy Green, the same man who will be at the wheel of Bloodhound.
AkzoNobel has previously provided “go-faster” paint for the Concorde supersonic aircraft in the past, and also is an official supplier for McLaren Racing.
