Hennessey Venom GT

Hennessey Venom GT

Hennessey Performance Engineering is tops in modifying engines. They can take an ultra sleek super automobile, and push it towards perfection. With Hennessey you can experience the best of the best.

At first glance, the Venom GT looks like the Lotus Exige. The Venom is an explosive fusion of British flair and American power. The 2011 Hennessey Venom GT received a make-over.

Performance

Hennessey Venom GT

Hennessey Venom GT

The exterior design looks like it comes out of Bruce Wayne’s or Tony Starks garage, but the car’s road power makes it a superhero in itself. The Hennessey Venom GT has for an engine a 6.2-liter LS9 twin-turbo V-8, similar to the engine on the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 one of the fastest production cars released. Airflow management was initially done on CAD. They used it to simulate airflow to improve the engine and body design.

The hood of the car cannot be accessed, although it contains two radiators with fans that help maintain the engine cool. Hennessey stresses the idea that the cooler the engine, the more horsepower you get. The car is offered in a mid-engine rear drive power-train with horsepower ranging from 725 to 1200. The drive train is provided by a Ricardo 6 speed transmission. The shifter is patterned after the Lotus, but upcoming models will see a switch to the Ford GT styled shifter.

Hennessey Venom GT

Hennessey Venom GT

Rumors abound that the Hennessey Venom GT has either tied or broken the record of the Bugatti Veyron Super Sports record of 267 mph. We have yet to hear from reliable sources to make the record official.

Exterior & Interior

The size of the Venom GT is smidge bigger than the Lotus Exige. The Hennessey Venom GT retains the Exige’s lightweight stylings. The carbon fiber material used on the Venom GT contributes to its lightweight physique. The math is easy: less weight is equivalent to better performance. Founder John Hennessey said that what he wanted to make was a car that all about performance, he didn’t want to worry about interior styling’s. Most of the cars weight is the engine. The Hennessey Venom GT was built from scratch putting in the best components from brains to brawn of American engineering.

The adjustable rear wing provides added aerodynamic performance when needed. The body is built to withstand force produced by vehicles that produce 1500 horsepower or more. The wheels are equipped with brake calipers made by Brembo which provide excellent traction control. Test drivers have commented that the chassis is rigid but firm, making the ride smooth and easy on the body. The smooth response of the Venom after making turns make the transition easy on both the vehicle and driver, it just helps prove it to be just as advertised, a supercar.

Currently, the new Venom GT has yet to be given permission to be driven on US streets and highways. Most of the testing and showing of this car have been across the pond in the UK.

The simplicity of the interior is just that, it contains the necessary instrumentation accessories to ride the Venom GT with confidence. The Venom has a built-in roll cage providing protection to both driver and passenger. Alcantara leather lines the inside of this supercar, from the panels, seating, and the steering wheel. Giving it a more than a muscle car look. It does have AC, AM/FM radio, and yes even a docking station for those with iPods. An added feature is the removable steering wheel to aid taller folks easier access getting in and out of the car.

Hennessey Venom GT

Hennessey Venom GT

Super tuner Hennessey has put out some radical Corvettes as the years have gone by and now the company has released its version of the true Super Car and has dubbed it the Hennessey Performance Venom GT. Part Lotus and Part Corvette, this vehicle has been all the rage on the chat boards and much speculation had gone into the inner workings of the car.

Now the answers that everyone was seeking are abundantly clear and the Hennessy Performance Venom GT is certainly blowing away expectations to say the very least. To call it a ‘performance’ car is a true understatement of the word itself as the car represents the best of the best as far as components goes.
The Hennessey Performance Venom GT tips the scales at a very scant 2,400 pounds and at just over a ton, this super car has a ton of power. Under the hood of the Venom GT lives a Corvette ZR1 LS9 V-8 engine that is complimented with dual turbos. The 6.3 liter engine is capable of putting out 725 horsepower and about 741 foot pounds of torque. The end result is a car that can cruise from 0 to 60 miles per hour in around 2.4 seconds and will do top speeds approaching the 265 mile per hour mark.

Hennessey Venom GT

Hennessey Venom GT

Carrying the massive engine and the rest of the light weight Venom GT is a Lotus Elise chassis. This lightweight yet extremely strong chassis is considered by many in the auto world the cream of the crop.

The transmission is a Ricardo six speed manual that is also top of the line. The Hennessey Performance Venom GT will also feature the programmable traction control system similar to the one used in the Corvette ZR1.

The car will make its official public debut this year at the Goodwill Festival of Speed and Hennessy only plans on making ten models per year. The Venom GT has already been planned to land in Russia, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. No plans are set as of yet for a landing date in the United States.

Hennessey Venom GT

Hennessey Venom GT

These wheels will cost around $600,000.00 and if you think that is too much money, consider that Hennessey has already pre-sold four units. Just as with any other super car, as there are many people with tons of money and a love for speed, there will be a market for the super car.

For the lucky few that do get to own one of these works of art they may also want to consider the next level of Venom GT already in the works. According to Hennessey, the newer versions will have 1000 to 1200 horsepower and will obviously blow the doors off of the first generation.