Range Rover

The Venom GT is Hennessey's latest crack at building a world-beating supercar, combining a British chassis with an all-American powerplant. John Hennessey likens it to the U.S.-built P51 Mustang dogfighter, powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. So it's like that, but – y'know – only in reverse. And minus a wing. And a propeller.

The engine will be a “Hennessey V8″, contradicting earlier claims that a twin-turbo version of Dodge’s 8.4-litre V10 would be used. The origin of the new powerplant is not yet known, though we suspect a Corvette-sourced LS9 6.2-litre V8.

Based on a Lotus Exige, this pocket rocket – as the video suggests – will sport an entry level specification of 725bhp. The top engine package will stretch to 1200bhp, so it’s going to be no slouch. We’ve heard rumblings about some very swift statistics, with 0-62mph taking less than three seconds and a vmax on the scary side of 250mph.


Hennessey is limiting production of the Venom GT to 10 units a year, and according to the company, four orders have already been placed. When asked what kind of owner he envisions for the VGT, Hennessey says, "The Venom GT buyer is the kind of person who has a lot of choices in their daily lives, but in a world with 200+ Veyrons, they want to be one of the few who owns a Venom GT. Some of our clients view cars as they would clubs in their golf bag. When they feel like reaching for a big hitter, the Venom GT will be there ready to deliver as much performance as they could ever ask for."

The Hennessey is expected to debut next Tuesday, March 30, and we'll have all the information and pictures for you right here, so stay tuned. The Ferrari is rumored to be debuting a week later on April 7, so we'll keep on top of it and bring you all the latest as it breaks.





Press Release

A PICTURE TELLS A THOUSAND HORSEPOWER
Introducing the Hennessey Venom GT

SEALY, TEXAS & SILVERSTONE, ENGLAND, March 29, 2010 - Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) is pleased to introduce the first official images of its Venom GT supercar. Based upon the Lotus Elise, the Venom GT combines a high-tech, lightweight British chassis with a powerful American V8.

"This is not the first time that Britain and America have joined forces to produce a weapon of mass propulsion", said company founder and president, John Hennessey. "Over fifty years ago the American-built P51 Mustang fighter aircraft was flown into history powered by a British Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. Today the Hennessey Venom GT promises to set a new standard of power to weight ratio in the rarified air of today's supercar market."

SOMETIMES LESS EQUALS MORE
In the case of the Venom GT, less weight means more performance. The Venom GT will have a production curb weight of less than 2,400 lbs (1,071 kilos) aided by its lightweight carbon fiber bodywork and carbon fiber wheels. Stopping power is delivered via Brembo brakes with 6-piston calipers up front and 4-piston calipers in rear clamping down on 15-inch carbon ceramic rotors.

SOMETIMES MORE EQUALS MORE
The Venom GT's base power plant is the supercharged 6.2 liter LS9 V8 (the same as in the Corvette ZR1) tweaked by HPE to 725 bhp. The company will also be offering 1000 bhp and 1200 bhp twin turbo V8 engine variants. The mid-engine V8 will transmit its power to the rear tires via a Ricardo 6-speed gearbox.

POWER WITH CONTROL
Hennessey plans to manage power output by using a programmable traction control system. CFD (computational fluid dynamic) tested bodywork and down force will also help keep the Venom stable at speed. An active aero system with adjustable rear wing will deploy under varying conditions on both the road and racetrack. An adjustable suspension system will allow ride height adjustments according to speed and driving conditions. Finally, power will be put to the ground via massive Michelin PS2 tires at all four corners.

POWERED BY THE USA, BUILT IN THE UK
Hennessey will be building the power plants at its Texas facility. The engines will then be air freighted to the company's assembly facility near Silverstone, England where the Venom GT is built and tested. Venom GT buyer will be offered a 1-day driver orientation and instruction program by a Hennessey factory test driver, at a track in the UK or USA prior to delivery.

LIMITED PRODUCTION
The company plans to establish a network of Venom GT dealers and distributors in the Middle East, Europe, Russia, Australia and Asia. Production is limited to just 10 vehicles per year and the company already has orders for 4 Venom GT's.

About Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE)
Hennessey Performance has been making fast cars go faster since 1991. HPE operates at its 30,000 square foot workshop and showroom facility situated on 143 acres near Sealy, Texas (about 45 minutes west of Houston). The company also has a showroom and installation facility located in Lake Forest, California. HPE offers a wide variety of dyno proven, track tested parts and upgrades for a variety of modern performance vehicles. Hennessey Performance is also the only tuner in North America that operates its own test track – Lonestar Motorsports Park.