Tuesday 5th August 2014

Hennessey Venom F5 first details

270mph not enough? Hennessey has a new 1,400hp, 290mph Venom in development...

---

It's surprising F5 hasn't been used for a facelifted car before now really. It is the refresh keyboard button after all. But that's not what it means in the context of the Hennessey Venom as here 'F5' relates to the highest ranking on the Fujita Scale. Which measures tornados.

Anyone else see P1?

Appropriately enough also the latest Hennessey creation will literally be as fast as a the most ferocious tornados also. The original Fujita scale placed an F5 tornado as one with winds of between 261 and 318mph. Hennessey believes a top speed of 290mph is 'within reach' for the Venom F5.

How? More power, of course. Official figures haven't been released yet with the car still in development but over 1,400hp has been suggested as 'conceivable' with bigger turbos and upgrades to the fuel system and intercooler.

But of course power will only get you so far when the air has to be cleaved at over 250mph so the Venom's aero has been modified also. The drag coefficient is now 'below 0.4Cd' from 0.44 with the same combination of diffusers, wings and venturis keeping the Venom stable at speed.

Bring on 2016...

The F5 will be heavier than the Venom GT's 1,244kg but a kerbweight of below 1,300kg is promised. Combined with the additional 200hp over the GT Hennessey believes it will surpass the original car's ludicrous acceleration too (0-186mph in 13.63 seconds and 200mph in 14.51 seconds).

Aiding those stats will be a single clutch paddleshift gearbox. But don't worry, there's a manual should you wish. Buyers of the F5 won't be able to forego a stability and traction control system though. Hennessey partner Don Goldman says "Of course, the Venom F5 retains the raw, explosive edge that makes the Venom GT such a thrill ride... but these changes will make the F5 easier and more satisfying to drive, day in and day out." Big girls.

Hennessey will reveal the Venom F5 fully next year before going on sale in 2016. At least 30 will be produced at a price in excess of $1.2 million. The issue now for Hennessey is that 13 of the original GTs are still to find customers. Could be a tough sell now.

[gregf40]

Awesome machine. I was lucky enough to go in a Venom which a friend owns - it's ridiculously mind bendingly fast.

Can't wait to see this in the flesh!

I can also see some F12 at the rear...along with P1...

[exceed]

How do you drive something like this, I can only imagine an unhinged driving experience where you're hanging on for dear life.

Although it looks freaking epic, I don't think I have the balls for it.

[Planter]

200mph in 14.51 seconds

[kambites]

It's good that they've ditched the "giant Exige" styling. It may have no bearing on the technical integrity of the project, but it'll certainly change the way that (rather shallow) people view them.

[Ryvita]

How much Lotus is left in these things? Have they moved on from the Elise shell to using the new V6 Exige? It's bloody impressive whatever it is.

[kambites]

Ryvita said:

How much Lotus is left in these things? Have they moved on from the Elise shell to using the new V6 Exige? It's bloody impressive whatever it is.

They never used the shell of either (the Elise doesn't really have a shell), just a modified version of the tub (which is identical on the Exige and Elise anyway) and a few odds and ends like the roof panel. Under the skin this is still a modified version of the same 111 tub.

[dukebox9reg]

I like the look of this. Tone it down a bit and I reckon that would have been a good new Esprit (maybe not with 1400bhp though)

[gregf40]

exceed said:

How do you drive something like this, I can only imagine an unhinged driving experience where you're hanging on for dear life.

Although it looks freaking epic, I don't think I have the balls for it.

It's definitely one to play with on a runway

[GranCab]

Pure fantasy ...

[gigglebug]

The issue now for Hennessey is that 13 of the original GTs are still to find customers. Could be a tough sell now.

I find this surprising. Does this mean that there are 13 full built cars siting waiting to be sold or rather that Hennessey have the panels/parts to make a further 13 cars sitting in stock? I would always assume that a smallish manufacturer producing a very expensive car would only order/create parts according to demand, obviously not!

[thatguy11]

Your move Koenigsegg...

[JDMDrifter]

I cannot wait to see this thing in production, its madness!

[Adrian250]

The front looks like how the new Esprit was supposed to look before it got axed

[Raman Kandola]

thatguy11 said:

Your move Koenigsegg...

Sure they are attempting to go for 280 mph and Hennesey already trumping them before the one:1's even released!

[rodericb]

What does a tornado have to do with this car? Article goes on about Fujita scales and what not but the car is called Venom. Snakenado?

Interesting to note that lead singer of Aerosmith, Steven Tyler, owns one of the previous model Venoms. He has nearly the slowest time around the Top Gear test track. Hardly scientific I know but it does kind of knock the gloss off those things slightly....

[Frimley111R]

Adrian250 said:

The front looks like how the new Esprit was supposed to look before it got axed

My first thought too! I doubt any new Lotus will follow that styling now but at least Hennessey are making use of it (unofficially of course!).

[robinessex]

Why don't they round it up to 1,500hp and 300mph. Looks neater.

[thatguy11]

Raman Kandola said:

thatguy11 said:

Your move Koenigsegg...

Sure they are attempting to go for 280 mph and Hennesey already trumping them before the one:1's even released!

True, but the One:1 is finished, revealed and a few already produced, the F5 is just a statement just now, not due to be released for two years. Should give Koenigsegg plenty of time to think about a response

[Atomfire]

IMHO despite looking like a P1, it is way cooler

[rhinochopig]

robinessex said:

Why don't they round it up to 1,500hp and 300mph. Looks neater.

Because at that speed an extra 10mph probably requires singnificantly more power to attain than 100bhp

Edited by rhinochopig on Tuesday 5th August 12:41