2011 HENNESSEY Venom GT

Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) is pleased to introduce the first official images of its Venom GT supercar. Based upon the Lotus Elise, the Venom GT combines a high-tech lightweight British chassis with a powerful American V-8.

In the case of the Venom GT, less weight means more performance. The Venom GT will have a production curb weight of less than 2,400 lbs. aided by its lightweight carbon fiber bodywork and carbon fiber wheels. Stopping power is delivered via Brembo brakes with 6-piston calipers up front and 4-piston calipers in rear clamping down on 15-inch carbon ceramic rotors.





The Venom GT’s base power plant is the supercharged 6.2-liter LS9 V-8 (the same as in the Corvette ZR1) tweaked by HPE to 725 hp. The company will also be offering 1,000 hp and 1,200 hp twin-turbo V-8 engine variants. The mid-engine V-8 will transmit its power to the rear tires via a Ricardo 6-speed gearbox.





Hennessey plans to manage power output by using a programmable traction control system. CFD (computational fluid dynamic) tested bodywork and down force will also help keep the Venom stable at speed. An active aero system with adjustable rear wing will deploy under varying conditions on both the road and racetrack. An adjustable suspension system will allow ride height adjustments according to speed and driving conditions. Finally, power will be put to the ground via massive Michelin PS2 tires at all four corners.



Hennessey will be building the power plants at its Texas facility. The engines will then be air freighted to the company's assembly facility near Silverstone, England, where the Venom GT is built and tested. Venom GT buyer will be offered a one-day driver orientation and instruction program by a Hennessey factory test driver, at a track in the UK or USA prior to delivery.





The company plans to establish a network of Venom GT dealers and distributors in the Middle East, Europe, Russia, Australia, and Asia. Production is limited to just 10 vehicles per year and the company already has orders for four Venom GTs.

The 750-hp Hennessey Venom GT price starts at $600,000, while the 1,200-hp version starts at $725,000. If you want the car in Europe, the Hennessey Venom GT price goes up by another $25,000.