Hennessey Hypercar to Set Aim for New World Record

Venom F5:  Exceptionally American. Built in Texas.

June 19, 2017—For immediate release

Sealy, Texas—Later this year, Hennessey will unveil its all new hypercar, the Venom F5, named after the fastest and most powerful wind on earth, the F5 tornado.  Tornado speeds are rated on the Fujita scale from F1 to F5, with F5 wind speeds being measured between 261 mph and 318 mph.  Built from the ground up, the F5 will have its own unique chassis and design, which will help elevate its performance to speeds approaching 300 mph. The Venom F5 will take direct aim at the new Bugatti Chiron for world’s fastest production series super sports car.

“We are very excited about our F5 and that it brings forth an all-new design and chassis to achieve even higher performance through improved aerodynamics and technology,” said company founder and CEO, John Hennessey. “The best way I can describe the Venom F5 is that it is sophisticated aggression on wheels. We look forward to sharing F5 with the world later this year.”

The Venom F5 will feature cutting-edge technology across the design, including chassis and engine development.  F5 will offer even greater power levels combined with improved aerodynamics and ultra-light weight which will yield the ultimate in performance.

“Having the opportunity to be part of the engineering and testing of this ground-breaking hypercar is perfect for Pennzoil,” said Patty Lanning, Vice President of Marketing, Shell Lubricants. “We have a passion for performance and know we have the right product to protect Hennessey’s engine through development to production.”

Hennessey has established a new company that will design, develop, build and sell the Venom F5: Hennessey Special Vehicles.  Hennessey’s new car company will operate on the same campus where their tuning business, Hennessey Performance (HPE) is located, that includes their own on-site proving grounds, the Lonestar Motorsports Park ¼ mile dragstrip, located just west of Houston, Texas.

“This is a new chapter in an all new book,” said Hennessey.  “F5 will be exceptionally American and built in Texas.  We look forward to sharing more details about our special hypercar very soon.”

Visit www.hennesseyspecialvehicles.com or www.venomf5.com for more information on  the Venom F5.

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About Hennessey® Special Vehicles

Hennessey Special Vehicles was established by John Hennessey in 2017 to design, develop and build hypercars.

About Pennzoil®

At Pennzoil^®, we’re car people. We love cars and the role they play in our lives. That’s why we tirelessly strive to produce the most technologically advanced, highest performing motor oils on the market. Our Pennzoil Platinum^® and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum^TM motor oils with PurePlus^TM Technology deliver Complete Protection. For more information about the full line of Pennzoil lubricating products, motor oils and filters, please visit www.pennzoil.com. Not just oil. Pennzoil.

For more information, contact: John Hennessey?Tel: +1.979.885.1300 john@hennesseyperformance.com

Hennessey Venom GT Final Edition Crosses the Finish Line

Production of America’s 270 mph Supercar Has Officially Concluded

January 19, 2017—For immediate release

Sealy, Texas— Production of the world’s fastest hardtop coupe and convertible has now officially concluded.  To commemorate the final Venom GT built, Hennessey Performance (HPE) is making a “Final Edition” of its 270+ mph supercar.  The Venom GT Final Edition is finished in a special “glacier blue” paint with white stripes and is powered by the same twin turbo 7.0 Liter V8 engine producing 1,451 bhp.  The Final Edition has already been sold at the price of $1.2 millon US Dollars.

Since 2010 Hennessey Performance has built twelve road-going Venom GT’s along with one prototype for a total production of thirteen vehicles.  The first six Venoms were all hardtops and the last 6 were roadsters.  The first Venom GT Spyder built for Aerosmith’s lead singer, Steven Tyler, is going up for auction this Friday evening, January 20th at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, AZ.  100% of the proceeds of the sale will benefit Tyler’s “Janie’s Fund” charity.

Over the past six years of Venom GT production, power grew from 1,000 bhp to an astounding 1,451 bhp.  Combined with a curb weight of just 2,743 lbs the Hennessey Venom was the first supercar to attain and exceed the power to weight ratio of one to one.  Along the way, the Venom GT set several speed records including:

• January 2013 – Guinness World Record for the fastest 2-seat sports car from

0-300 kmh in 13.61 seconds.

• February 2014 – World’s fastest 2-seat sports car by attaining a top speed of 270.4 mph on the Shuttle Landing Runway at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

• March 2016 – World’s fastest open top vehicle by attaining a top speed of 265.6 mph at the United States Naval Air Station in Lemoore, California.  This record beat the previous record holder, the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, by 11 mph.

“We’ve attained some pretty incredible achievements with the Venom GT,” said company founder & CEO, John Hennessey.  “It was always my dream to build the fastest car and we did just that.  Our Venom GT retires as one of the fastest cars on the planet along with being one of the most exclusive.  I’m so grateful to our customers, employees, suppliers, and our technical partners, Pennzoil & Shell V-Power, who have helped make this special car a reality.  We look forward to introducing our next car, the Venom F5, sometime later this year.”

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On Saturday, March 26 the Hennessey Venom GT became the fastest open top sports car by running 265.6 mph. But was it easy? Check out the back story of man and machine and what it took for the Hennessey team to improvise, adapt and overcome in order to achieve their goal of making the Venom GT Spyder the fastest open top car in the world.

October 29, 2015—For immediate release

Hennessey to Unveil 2875 Horsepower at 2015 SEMA Show       

• 1451 HP Venom GT Spyder
• 774 HP HPE750 Supercharged Mustang Convertible
• 650 HP VelociRaptor 650 Supercharged Ford F-150 Truck

Las Vegas, Nevada—Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) will unveil a trifecta of speed and power at the 2015 SEMA Show on Tuesday, November 3^rd at 10 am Pacific time at the Shell Pennzoil display – booth 60005 located near the main entrance of the Las Vegas convention center.

2016 Hennessey Venom GT

Leading the pack will be Hennessey’s flagship hypercar, the Venom GT now boasting a maximum power output of 1451 bhp @ 7200 rpm, a gain of 207 bhp over the previous generation Venom which clocked a top speed of 270.4 mph at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida in 2014.  Horsepower and torque are increased thanks to having the ability to run E85 Flexfuel which allows its 7.0L twin turbo V-8 engine to increase boost pressure from 19 psi to 26 psi.

“Being the fastest matters”, said company founder and president, John Hennessey.  “We are intent on keeping the Venom as the fastest, best performing and most exciting hypercar on the road”.

Sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires will put the Venom’s power to the ground via GPS-based traction control system.  Combined with a curb weight of just 2743 lbs (1244 kg) the Venom GT continues to offer an unmatched power to weight ratio.

Projected performance:
0-60 mph:            2.4 sec.
0-100 mph:         4.4 sec.
0-200 mph:         12.8 sec.
¼ mile: 9.4 sec. @ 167 mph
0-300 kph:           10.9 sec.
0-400 kph:           18.1 sec.
Top Speed:           280+ mph

“We only plan to produce a handful of Venom GT’s in 2016 as we are also preparing for our next evolution, the Venom F5”, said Hennessey.  “We plan to demonstrate our improved power and performance both in terms of straight line acceleration as well as road course handling and lap time performance”.

Rounding out Hennessey’s trio of vehicles at the 2015 SEMA Show are:

2016 HPE750 Supercharged Ford Mustang Convertible

• 774 HP 5.0L V8 engine
• 0-60 mph: 2 seconds
• Supercharger system producing 9 psi boost
• Hennessey CarbonAero carbon fiber front splitter, side sills, and rear lip spoiler
• Hennessey H10 light weight wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires
• Brembo racing brake upgrade, front and rear
• The HPE750 Supercharged Mustang is the first and only 2015 Mustang to attain a verified top speed of 200 mph. One such car recently ran 207.9 mph on Jay Leno’s Garage on CNBC.

2016 VelociRaptor 650 Supercharged Ford F-150 Pick-up truck

• 650 HP 5.0L V8 engine
• 0-60 mph: 9 seconds
• Supercharger system producing 7 psi boost
• Fox suspension upgrade
• Heavy duty front and rear bumpers
• 20 inch Hennessey wheel and tire upgrade
• Fender flares
• Skid plates
• Why wait for the 2017 Raptor when you can have a 650 HP Supercharged Hennessey VelociRaptor Ford F-150 truck now?

“I’ve been coming to the SEMA Show for the past 24 years and I’m more excited than ever to share our latest and greatest vehicles”, said John.  “From wild to mild, our special cars and trucks continue to deliver a driving experience of the highest order”.

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About Hennessey® Performance

Established in 1991, Hennessey® Performance Engineering (HPE) builds and modifies more than 500 vehicles per year from a wide variety of brands that include Cadillac, Chevrolet and Ford. HPE also builds the world’s fastest production vehicle, the Hennessey Venom GT, which has a verified top speed of over 270 mph. In addition, Hennessey® operates Tuner School, the world’s first fully state-licensed school dedicated to teaching and training future performance vehicle tuners. HPE is also the only aftermarket tuner in North American with its own proving grounds, Lonestar Motorsports Park, whose IHRA-sanctioned quarter-mile drag strip is adjacent to the company’s 40,000 square foot workshop and showroom situated on 143 acres along Interstate-10 near Houston.

Venom GT “World’s Fastest Edition”
Hennessey builds special-edition supercar to commemorate speed records

– 13.63 sec. 0-300 km/h Guinness World Record
– 270.4 mph top speed run at the Kennedy Space Center

March 25, 2014—For immediate release

Sealy, Texas—Hennessey Performance (HPE) is building a limited run of
World’s Fastest Edition Venom GTs to celebrate the company’s recent top speed run of 270.4 mph, which was set at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in February. The World’s Fastest Edition (WFE) also alludes to the Venom’s 0-300 km/h Guinness World Record.

“The Venom GT is America’s supercar and it broke 270 mph on the same runway where the Space Shuttle landed at the Kennedy Space Center,” said company founder John Hennessey. “We wanted to offer a special paint scheme that would incorporate the colors of the American flag—the same flag we flew on the Space Shuttle runway. Thus, our special livery package includes a body in white with red and blue stripes.”

The Venom GT generates its incredible speed from a simple formula: huge power, minimal weight. Its 7.0-liter twin-turbo V8 makes 1244 bhp and with only 2743 lb. to accelerate (that’s 1244 kg, hitting that magic 1 bhp/kg mark), the Venom GT is not only the fastest series-produced road car; it’s also the quickest. It holds the Guinness World Record for standing-start acceleration, rocketing from rest to 300 km/h (186 mph) in just 13.63 seconds. Lightweight aluminum construction, carbon-fiber bodywork and featherweight carbon-ceramic brakes all make this extraordinary power/weight ratio possible.

Just three World’s Fastest Edition cars are being built and have already been sold at a price of $1.25 million U.S. This makes the Venom GT WFE not only the fastest but also one of the rarest supercars ever built.

On February 14, 2014, after extensive aerodynamic testing and data logging to verify the CFD aerodynamic model throughout its designed performance range, the Hennessey Venom GT achieved a top speed of 270.49 mph (435.31 km/h). The test session was conducted at the Kennedy Space Center on the Shuttle Landing Facility’s 3.2-mile runway. Brian Smith, Director of Miller Motorsport Park, experienced test driver and vehicle dynamic engineer, drove the Venom GT through all phases of the testing.

The Hennessey Performance team was able to utilize the Shuttle Landing runway via the Performance Power LLC Space Act Agreement. Performance Power collaborates with manufacturers and race teams alike to utilize the shuttle runway for the purposes of engineering validation, safety, innovative product design, and aerodynamic testing. The Hennessey team, its engineers and test driver worked closely with Johnny Bohmer and the Performance Power Team who made this test possible. A representative from VBox USA, world-renowned maker of engineering data-acquisition systems, was on hand to independently verify and document the vehicle’s aerodynamic performance.

“I knew the car had it in it, but it’s satisfying to officially validate the Venom GT’s high-speed stability,” said Hennessey CEO John Hennessey. “We’re elated to have met our goals of aerodynamic stability and crosswind tolerance.”

Validating the Venom GT’s performance, stability and safety at speed on such an incredible runway is why we came here,” said company founder and president John Hennessey. “I wanted to be an astronaut when I was a kid. Neil Armstrong was my childhood hero. Even though the astronaut thing didn’t work out for me, I am humbled to have had the opportunity to conduct our testing on the hallowed grounds of the Kennedy Space Center.”

To date, HPE has built and delivered eleven Venom GTs to owners around the world. Each vehicle is built to order and takes six months to complete. As the production run will be limited to a total of just 29 units worldwide.

Dubai, UAE—The Hennessey Venom GT, the hardest-accelerating hypercar on the planet, will be shown for the first time at the Dubai International Auto Show, November 5-9, 2013, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Hennessey Performance (HPE) has built the last word in hypercars: the 1244-bhp Venom GT, an aluminum-chassis, carbon-bodied machine whose twin-turbo 7.0-liter V-8 will obliterate any other production car from 50 to well over 250 mph. The Venom GT, whose mid-longitudinal dry-sump powerplant drives massive 345/30R-20 rear tires, holds the Guinness World Record for 0-300 km/h (186 mph) acceleration, accomplishing the feat in just 13.63 seconds. In a separate 2-mile standing-start contest, the Venom GT attained a speed of 265.7 mph. Given a little more road, the Venom GT’s peak velocity of more than 270 mph would most likely have been realized.

This handbuilt hypercar handles and stops as fiercely as it accelerates, with Penske double-adjustable coilovers, double A-arm suspension all around and Brembo 6-piston calipers clamping 15-in. carbon-ceramic rotors. Composite materials and aerospace-quality construction techniques keep the Venom GT strong, safe and light; its hybrid aluminum monocoque/tubular structure incorporates chrome-moly steel roll hoops, and the entire car weighs in at a svelte 2743 lb. Forged monoblock aluminum wheels are fitted with Michelin Pilot Super Sport radials.

Options include, but are not limited to Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires, bare carbon-fiber finish, right-hand drive, Stefano Ricci interior and a stereo system designed by Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. The Venom GT is priced at $1.2 million.

HPE plans to build a total of just 29 Venom GTs, with more than a third of the production run already completed. Each vehicle is custom built to order and requires six months for completion. KAR Performance Bahrain is the exclusive distributor of the Hennessey Venom GT in the Middle East.

“The GCC is a very important market for our Venom GT and the Hennessey brand”, said company founder, John Hennessey. “Guys in the Middle-East like the best and want to drive the fastest most exciting cars. And the Venom GT delivers exactly what they are seeking.”

World’s Fastest Hypercar from 0 – 300 km/h

On January 10, 2013 John Kiewicz drove the Hennessey Venom GT to a new Guinness WORLD RECORD for a two-seat hypercar from 0 – 300 km/h in 13.63 seconds at Ellington Airport in Houston, Texas, USA.

For immediate release
January 21, 2013

Hennessey® Venom GT® Sets New Guinness® WORLD RECORD
Texas Supercar Becomes World’s Quickest Hypercar from 0-300 km/h

HOUSTON, Texas – Hennessey® Performance (HPE) today announced that on January 10, 2013 its street-legal Venom GT® supercar accelerated from 0-300 km/h in just 13.63 seconds, thus establishing the vehicle as a new record holder according to Guinness® WORLD RECORDS (GWR). The acceleration time was an average of two runs made in opposite directions within one hour and validated by a VBox 3i GPS-based data logging system. VBox officials were on hand to certify the numbers as required by Guinness® rules. The first run was completed in 13.18 seconds with a 4 mph tailwind. The second run was made in 14.08 seconds while encountering a 6 mph headwind. The resulting two-way 0-300 km/h average was 13.63 seconds.

“We are exceptionally proud of our team at HPE who helped to make this new Guinness® World Record possible,” said company founder and president, John Hennessey. “This is just the first of several validation tests designed to show the world what our special car is all about – being the fastest. Period.”

A Guinness® representative was on hand to witness the testing as well as to personally inspect the Venom GT® before making any acceleration attempts. After the record runs were made (and officially validated) the representative was given a ride in a Venom GT® to personally experience the performance. “I have never ridden in anything this fast,” said Guinness® WORLD RECORD adjudicator Philip Robertson. “The acceleration is absolutely amazing.”

The acceleration runs were conducted at Ellington Airport (also used by NASA) located southeast of Houston, Texas, using the seventh production Venom GT® — a street-legal car that makes use of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup DOT-approved radial tires, 93-octane pump fuel, and a full interior replete with high-end stereo, air conditioning, and bespoke leather / Alcantara seats. Powered by a 7.0-liter (427 cubic inch) V-8 engine fed by twin Precision turbochargers, the Venom GT® produces 1,244 horsepower and 1,155 lb-ft of torque. Weighing just 1,244 kg (2,743 lbs) the rear-wheel-drive Venom GT® delivers a power-to-weight ratio of 1 horsepower per each kilogram of vehicle curb weight.

“We are especially grateful to the City of Houston and the staff at Ellington Airport for allowing to conduct this World Record attempt on their perfectly paved 8,000 ft. runway,” said Hennessey Performance CEO Don Goldman.

Although Guinness® only recognizes runs made in kilometers per hour (km/h), the Venom GT® also set a new unofficial acceleration record of 0-200 miles per hour (mph) in 14.51 seconds as verified by VBox GPS. The 0-200 mph record was previous held by the Koenigsegg Agera R that required 17.68 seconds time— 3.17 seconds slower than the Venom GT®. By comparison, the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport (powered by a 1,200 horsepower 8.0-liter, quad-turbocharged 16-cylinder engine channeling power through an all-wheel-drive system) ran 0-200 mph in 22.2 seconds— 7.7 seconds slower than the Venom GT®.

While conducting the Guinness® World Record runs, despite marginal traction (due to three days of previous rainfall), the Venom GT® accelerated from 0-60 mph in 3.05 seconds, 0-100 mph in 5.88 seconds, ran the standing quarter-mile in 10.29 seconds at 158.83 mph, and ran the standing half-mile at 205.65 mph. During testing done at Ellington Airport a few weeks prior to the Guinness® record runs, the Venom GT® accelerated to 300 km/h in 13.48 seconds while on its way to 370 km/h run (229.9 mph) in just 19.96 seconds.

Hennessey® only plans to build a total of 29 Venom GTs, with one-third of the production run already being sold. Thus, the Venom GT® is not only the fastest accelerating hypercar in the world, it’s also one of the most exclusive. The Venom GT® costs $1.2 million US Dollars plus shipping and not including options. Each vehicle is custom built to order and requires six months for completion.

About Hennessey® Performance
Established in 1991, Hennessey® Performance (HPE) now operates from a new facility comprised of a 36,000 square foot building that is located adjacent to Lonestar Motorsports Park, the company’s test track and IHRA sanctioned ¼ mile dragstrip. The 143-acre complex is located about 45 minutes west of Houston, Texas along Interstate 10. Hennessey® offer a wide variety of dyno-proven, track-tested parts for modern performance vehicles. In addition, Hennessey® operates Tuner School, the world’s first (fully state accredited) school dedicated to teaching and training future performance vehicle tuners.

In 2010, Hennessey® Performance opened a new 12,500 square foot facility in Lake Forest, California, to better serve clients in Southern California. For more information, contact John Hennessey at Hennessey® Performance at 979.885.1300 or visit www.venomgt.com or www.hennesseyperformance.com.
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The May TopGear Car Pack is on its way! On Tuesday, May 1, ten new cars to race, collect, and appreciate will be available. The pack includes iconic classics from the 1960s and 70s, unique one-off creations, a little 4WD JDM love and some sweet late model production cars. From radical design canvasses to rigs with freakish drift potential, the saying, “something for everyone” is fitting this month. With the May TopGear Car Pack, you can go anywhere, at any speed, and enjoy whatever level of style you see fit.