The Hennessey Venom F5, successor to the Venom
GT. The F5’s
bold, lower-drag shape, additional power and enhanced technology will push this
Texas-built hypercar to velocities previously unimagined for a road-legal,
series-produced vehicle.
The laws of physics are immutable, so the step up
from the Venom GT’s 270.49-mph world record speed will come from both an
increase in power and a reduction in drag from the clean-sheet carbon-fiber
body. The drag coefficient drops from 0.44 to below 0.40 while still generating
significant downforce through both the upper body shape and underbody venturis,
a rear diffuser beneath the rear bumper and a retractable rear wing.
The next-generation twin-turbo powertrain is still
under development, but turbo size for the longitudinally mounted V8 is
increased, and the fuel system and intercooler capacity are upgraded to handle
the demands of increased boost. Hard numbers for power are not yet available,
but it’s conceivable that output could exceed 1400 bhp. Pennzoil will continue as
a key technology partner, and its Ultra Platinum full synthetic oil—the factory
fill for both the Venom and every Hennessey-built vehicle—will ensure the
performance and reliability of the F5’s engine under the most extreme
conditions.
With extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum,
weight will remain under 1300 kg, just slightly more than the Venom
GT’s 1244-kg curb weight. So it’s highly probable the F5 will eclipse the Venom
GT’s current acceleration records too, which stand at 14.51 seconds to 200 mph,
and 13.63 seconds to 186 mph (300 km/h).
Several new technologies will be introduced, the
most transformative being single clutch paddle-shift transmission (a standard
H-pattern manual transmission will still be offered for purists), whose
reduction in shift speeds will enable the F5 to accelerate even more quickly.
And a GPS-based stability/traction control system will help to channel the F5’s
immense power and provide an increased margin of safety, whether on a racetrack
or back road.
The Venom F5 unveiled in 2015 with
deliveries to customers in late 2016. At least 30 Venom F5s will be produced
for sale worldwide, at a price higher than that of the Venom GT, which
currently sells for US$ 1.2 million. The Venom GT will continue to be offered; at
present, 16 cars of the 29-car total production run have been sold.
