500km/h Hennessey Venom F5 targets world speed record

The road-going version of the Hennessey Venom F5 has emerged with what’s billed as the world’s most powerful production car engine – a 1355kW 6.6-litre twin-turbocharged V8 designed to send the new American hypercar to a top speed of more than 500km/h.

The top speed claim, which Hennessey plans to verify next year, could hand the Texas-based tuning specialist another world speed record after the previous Venom GT stole the Bugatti Chiron’s thunder in 2014 with a 435km/h run (deemed unofficial, based on the broader Guinness criteria).

Other hypercars have since pushed the envelope further, including the Koenigsegg Agera RS (458km/h), while the SSC Tuatara was recently said to have clocked 509km/h before being forced to back down from the claim.

Limited to just 24 units globally and priced at $US2.1 million ($A2.8m) before taxes, shipping and other costs are added, the Hennessey Venom F5 is also said to be able to hit 100km/h from standstill in less than 3.0 seconds, and reach 200km/h in just 4.7sec.

Dubbed ‘Fury’, the Hennessey Venom F5 engine’s is hand-built, weighs 280kg and not only serves up 1355kW at 8000rpm but 1617Nm of torque at 5000rpm.

It is paired to a semi-automatic gearbox with shift paddles mounted to the steering wheel.

First shown at SEMA in November 2017, the Hennessey Venom F5 is built on a new platform, whereas the Venom GT used the underpinnings of a Lotus Elise.

Hennessey points to the huge amount of engineering that’s gone into the Venom F5, including hand-built ball bearing turbochargers and an intake manifold that places the intercooler between the plenum and cylinder heads to reduce inlet air temperatures.

Extensive use of carbon-fibre helps the F5 achieve a dry weight of just 1360kg, with the CF monocoque body alone weighing just 86kg. That sets up a power-to-weight ratio in the order of 996kW per tonne.

The rear-wheel drive, rear-mid-engine coupe measures up at 4.6m in length and sits just 1.3m in height.

For aerodynamics, the hyper-coupe uses a carbon-fibre splitter, large rear diffuser and a subtle rear spoiler, while stopping power comes from huge 390x34mm Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes matched with six-piston front (and four-piston rear) AP Racing callipers.

Helping get power down, the Venom F5 hits the tarmac with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres wrapped around lightweight 19-inch forged alloy wheels up front and 20s at the rear.

Keeping unsprung mass low, the F5 also has lightweight Penske coil-over dampers at each corner with the double-wishbone suspension front and rear.

From the outside, the Venom F5 looks every bit as menacing as you’d expect, with sleek, sharp lines and a low stance. At the rear, black twin exhaust pipes are built into the rear deck, while a track pack can be optioned to add a more aggressive front splitter and rear wing for extra downforce.

The Venom F5 will come with several dynamic driving modes including Sport, Wet, Drag, Track and F5, while the driver is handed an “F1/jet fighter”-inspired carbon-fibre steering wheel. The two-seater is also equipped with a pair of carbon-fibre bucket seats, wrapped in leather pads.

Hennessey said a “simple” approach was taken when designing the remainder of the interior to save weight and promote driver focus. Gadgetry and buttons for air-con controls are kept to a minimum, while a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9.0-inch Alpine infotainment unit are included.

Hennessey CEO John Hennessey said the F5 deliberately goes against the grain of modern hypercars, many of which he claims have become “soft and docile”.

“The F5 resets the balance, having been designed from the ground up to be the antithesis of the ‘everyday hypercar’ – it will always be an occasion to drive,” he said.

Hennessey’s guiding principle is that “speed drives engineering excellence”.

“Incremental rises in the top speed of cars drives us and our competitors forward to thrill car fans with a passion for high-octane engineering,” he said.

“We plan to top 500km/h (311mph) in an independently-verified speed record attempt with our two-way run logged by Racelogic engineers – world leaders in GPS telemetry.

“We want others to break the 500km/h barrier too, and even to beat our top speed! The competition for ultimate performance drives engineering excellence and the lessons we learn in developing the pinnacle of performance filters into every customer car.”

The company plans to conduct the independent top speed test in the first half of 2021 at the NASA Kennedy Space Centre’s 5.2km runway in Florida.