Hennessey Venom GT

The Hennessey Venom GT is a sports carbased on the Lotus Exige manufactured by Texas-based Hennessey Performance Engineering and assembled in England.

Speed records
On January 21, 2013, the Venom GT set a Guinness World Record for the fastest production car from 0–300 kilometres per hour (0–186 mph) with an average acceleration time of 13.63 seconds.[3] In addition, the car set an unofficial record for 0–200 mph (0–322 km/h) acceleration at 14.51 seconds, beating the Koenigsegg Agera R's time of 17.68 seconds, making it the unofficial fastest accelerating production car in the world.[4][5]

On April 3, 2013, the Hennessy Venom GT crested 265.7 mph (427.6 km/h) over the course of 2 miles (3.2 km) during testing at United States Naval Air Station Lemoore in Lemoore, California. Hennessey used two VBOX 3i data logging systems to document the run and had VBOX officials on hand to certify the numbers.[6]

On February 14, 2014, on the Kennedy Space Center’s 3.22-mile (5.18 km) shuttle landing strip in Florida, the Hennessey team recorded a top speed of 270.49 mph (435.31 km/h) with Director of Miller Motorsport Park, Brian Smith, driving.[7] As the run was in a single direction, and only 16 cars have been sold to date (to qualify Hennessey must build 30), it does not qualify as the world's fastest production car in the Guinness Book of Records.[8][9]

Chassis
The Venom GT uses a Lotus Exige chassis. The manufacturer, Hennessey Performance Engineering, claims the modified chassis uses components from the Lotus Exige, including the roof, doors, side glass, windscreen, dashboard, cockpit, floorpan, HVAC system, wiper and head lamps. Hennessey Performance and the Venom GT are not associated with Lotus Cars. For road use, the car is registered as a Lotus Exige (modified) and is not a series production car.[1]

The Venom GT has a curb weight of 2,743 pounds (1,244 kg) aided by carbon fiberbodywork and carbon fiber wheels. The brakes use Brembo 6-piston calipers in the front and 4-piston calipers in the rear. The rotors are 15 inches (380 mm) carbon ceramic units provided by Surface Transforms.

Drivetrain
The Venom GT is powered by a twin turbocharged 427 cu in (7.0 L) V8 GM LS7 engine with an iron block and aluminum heads including twin Precision dual ball bearing turbochargers. The engine produces 1,244 bhp (928 kW; 1,261 PS) of power at 6,600 rpm and 1,155 lb·ft (1,566 N·m) of torque at 4,400 rpm.[1] Engine power output is adjustable by three settings: 800 bhp (597 kW; 811 PS), 1,000 bhp (746 kW; 1,014 PS) and 1,200 bhp (895 kW; 1,217 PS). The engine revs to 7,200 rpm.

The mid-engine V8 is mated to the rear wheels with a Ricardo 6-speed manual transmission right out of a Ford GT .[1]

A programmable traction control system manages power output. Computational fluid dynamics tested bodywork and downforce also help keep the Venom GT stable. Under varying conditions on both the road and racetrack, an active aero system with adjustable rear wing will deploy. An adjustable suspension system will allow ride height adjustments by 2.4 inches (61 mm) according to speed and driving conditions. Michelin PS2 tires will also help put power to the ground.

Venom GT Spyder
The Venom GT Spyder is an open top version of the Venom GT. Having decided to order a Venom GT, Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler approached Hennessey in Autumn 2011 and asked if an open-top version could be created. This involved structural changes which added 30 pounds (14 kg) to the curb weight. Tyler's was the first of five cars scheduled delivered for the 2013 model year.[10]

Venom GT " world's fastest edition " (2014)
Is a limited (3 units) version of the Venom GT coupe commemorating the Venom GT coupe's 0–300 km/h Guinness World Record.

The vehicle went on sale for US$1.25 million.[11] All three units were sold to customers shortly after their production was announced by the manufacturer.[12][13]

Venom F5
Hennessey announced that it has been working on a successor to the GT named Venom F5, thus far the company has not specified anything in detail with regard to the car, other than a planned power output of over 1400 hp and a top speed of over 290 mph (470 km/h).[14] They plan to achieve that by reworking the engine using larger twin turbochargers and larger intercoolers for improved charging pressures and cooling. The 7.0-liter V8 would use a new fuel system as well. The F5 will have a completely new exterior with its carbon fiber body improved for lower aerodynamic drag as well as more downforce. The name F5 is derived from a top speed tornado. First delivery to customers is planned for 2016, with a total production of 30 models at a price of more than $1.2 million each.[15][16]