Progress updates for the Hennessey Venom F5 have been few and far between since its 2017 announcement, but just as 2020 comes to a close the Texan tuner has revealed the final production car ahead of first deliveries next year. Just 24 examples are set to be produced with prices starting at Rs 15.44 crore (excluding Indian taxes and duties) .
Initially scheduled to make its production debut at The Quail during Monterey car week this August, the production-spec car features substantial changes to design both inside and out over the prototypes previously pictured. What hasn’t changed though, are its ambitious performance numbers.
As previously confirmed, the Venom is powered by a 6.6-litre twin-turbocharged LS-series V8 that produces 1792bhp and 1617Nm of torque running on E85 fuel. These peak figures arrive at 8000rpm and 5500rpm respectively, with the redline coming in at 8500rpm. When combined with a claimed 1360kg dry weight, it results in a power-to-weight ratio of 1317bhp/ton power-to-weight ratio, 300bhp/ton more than Koenigsegg’s Agera RS.
Helping it achieve such high outputs is a combination of a unique intake manifold design, that positions the intercooler between the intake plenum and cylinder heads. This is paired with the bespoke turbochargers with 3D-printed titanium compressor housings and 76mm compressor wheels. A dry sump, increased cylinder wall and deck thickness plus various other reinforced components help it achieve almost twice the power of the Bugatti Veyron without rapid unscheduled disassembly.
Turning such numbers to speed on the road is no easy task, so a Motec engine management system with five engine modes helps manage power depending on the conditions. Grunt is to the rear wheels through a longitudinally-mounted seven-speed single-clutch automated gearbox, 0-100kmph is said to come in under 3sec, with 0-200kmph in under 5.
Named after the highest tornado wind speed category, Hennessey is eyeing a top speed in excess of 500.5kmph, with a record run already in the pipeline for 2021 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. With the legitimacy of SSC’s 533kmph run yet to be determined, the Agera RS still holds the record as the fastest production car with a 447kmph two-way average.
The F5’s structure is built around an 86kg carbonfibre tub manufactured from Silverstone-based Delta Motorsport, with carbonfibre body panels bolted atop the front and rear subframes. The part-Inconel exhaust system and a basic cabin both contribute to its low kerb weight. Forged aluminum wheels and lightweight Penske dampers also help to keep unsprung mass low.
The braking package consists of 380mm Brembo carbon ceramic discs on all four corners, with six-point front and four-pot rear AP Racing calipers, although we’ve rarely heard of a combination from two different suppliers in the one system. Wheel sizes are staggered 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, 265-section front and 345-section at the rear. Hennessey claims that Michelin will test its Cup 2 tyres to ensure they can withstand such high speeds before the attempt.