Texan tuner John Hennessey has revealed plans to 're-invent' fellow Texan Carroll Shelby's Cobra concept with the VENOM GT - a modified Lotus Exige powered by Hennessey's specially tuned version of the Corvette ZR1's LS9 engine.
Venom GT is a modern take on the original Shelby Cobra concept
The new mid-engined machine will be both supercharged and twin-turbocharged. With over 1,000 bhp of power on tap and a curb weight of just 1087kgs, it will boast an astounding power-to-weight ratio. The company responsible says the car will make its international debut at the Geneva motor show next year.
"It goes without saying that I am not the first Texan to come up with the idea of marrying a powerful American V8 with a light-weight British chassis," says company founder, John Hennessey.
"However, I am confident that automotive fans around the world will find our forthcoming VENOM GT to be every bit as earth-shattering as the 289 AC Cobra was back in the early 1960's".
Hennessey Performance Engineering
says it currently has three orders for the VENOM GT, which is built around a radically modified Lotus Exige S chassis. Cost for the base vehicle with 1,000 bhp will be $600,000 US Dollars. HPE, founded by John and Hope Hennessey, is located at Lonestar Motorsports Park near Houston, Texas.
The car will cost $600,000, but you can spend an extra $125,000 for a 1200bhp engine upgrade, which makes the right-hand-drive option look cheap at $24,000.
Hennessey VENOM GT
Specifications:
Vehicle Type:
Mid-engine, rear-drive; 2-door, 2-passenger
Dimensions:
Curb Weight: 1087kgs
Brakes:
Front - 15 inch carbon rotors with 6-piston calipers; rear - 14 inch carbon rotors with 4-piston calipers
Engine:
Hennessey 1000 HP V8 Twin Turbo System
Dry Sump Oil System
Power:
1000+ bhp @ 6600 rpm
950 lb-ft torque @ 4,800 rpm
Estimated Performance:
0-60 mph: 2.2 sec.
0-100 mph: 4.9 sec.
0-150 mph: 7.9 sec.
0-200 mph: 14.5 sec.
Top Speed: 262 mph
Transmission:
6-speed Manual
Base Price:
$600,000 US Dollars