Hennessey Venom F5 breaks cover

Most famous for its Venom GT supercar's extreme speeds, capable of hitting 435km/h (270mph), Texas-based car-maker Hennessey has now set its sights even higher with the Venom F5.

Named after the most powerful type of tornado, according to the Fujita meteorological scale, the new Venom F5 will be unveiled in full in 2015 ahead of sales in 2016 and will be powered by a twin-turbo 7.0-litre V8 engine capable of generating up to 1044kW, or 1400hp.

Priced at $US1.2 million each, (roughly AUD $1.28million), the wild US exotic will be limited to just 30 units, and is likely to go head-to-head with the Bugatti Veyron's replacement in 2016 for the title of world's fastest production car.

The previous Venom GT was ineligible for the fastest production car Guinness World Record because only 29 units were built – 30 vehicles are required to be built to qualify. So it's now clear that Hennessey is ready to take the fight to Bugatti and all other challengers for the mantle of world's fastest car.

Hennessey points out that it's not just an insane amount of engine power that's required to push through the considerable amount of air to break world speed records, revealing that the Venom F5 will benefit from a significant reduction in drag partly via the svelte new exterior design. Sculpted from carbon-fibre, the new body shape will bring the drag co-efficient down from 0.44 to 0.40Cd, while a large rear diffuser, actuating rear wing and underbody venturis will ensure appropriate downforce required for speeds of more than 450km/h.

"We are very excited about this next chapter of the Venom, which brings forth an all-new design that is not only a powerful and unique statement that our clients are looking for, but a vehicle that will achieve even higher performance through improved aerodynamics," said John Hennessey, president and founder of the niche car-maker.

"We learned a great deal during the development of the Venom GT in breaking the 270mph barrier, and we bring that experience to this new design as we look toward raising the performance bar even higher," he said.

There are reports suggesting Hennessey is targeting 290mph or 466km/h, in the new Venom F5, which will tip the scales at less than 1300kg (2866lb) thanks to the extensive use of aluminium and carbon-fibre.

There's no official mention of whether the Hennessey Venom F5 is based on the Lotus Exige's platform, like the Venom GT, or whether there will be a roofless roadster version.

The four-wheeled missile's 7.0-litre V8 is still being fettled but will benefit from several upgrades; larger turbochargers, a hardcore fuel system and enhanced intercooler capacity to name a few. There's no mention of electric or hybrid boosting like the sold out LaFerrari or McLaren P1 .

The engine will transfer power to the rear wheels via six-speed single-clutch paddle-shift gearbox says Hennessey, although a "standard H-pattern manual transmission will still be offered for purists".

Acceleration will also be improve on the Venom GT, which currently races from 0-300km/h in 13.6 seconds, roughly the time it takes to type in "world's fastest car" into a search engine.

Hennessey is planning to debut a new technology in its million dollar weapon of mass acceleration, namely a GPS-based stability and traction program designed to recognise twisty sections of road and rein in the car's colossal power yield. 

"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," said Don Goldman, Hennessey partner.

And if 2016 can't come soon enough, Hennessey still has 13 of the 29 Venom GT available for sale, with previous buyers including Aerosmith rocker Steve Tyler.