13 August 2009 - 13:00
Faster than a Veyron?
American tuning firm Hennessey is best known for doing silly things to Cadillacs, Corvettes and Dodges. But now it is readying a supercar of its own, which it plans to bring to the Geneva Motor Show in production form next March.
Sticking to the old mantra that any start-up supercar manufacturer with no track record must make a whole bunch of borderline implausible claims about your car's likely performance, Hennessey has made a whole bunch of borderline implausible claims about its car's likely performance.
Ready for this? The mid-engined two-seater has been tagged the Venom GT, and will be powered by an as-yet-unspecified V8 putting out ‘up to 894kW. In a car with a kerbweight less than 1,090kg, Hennessey says that will be good for a 0-100km/h time of 2.4 seconds - yep, quicker than a Veyron - and a top speed of 437km/h.
Obviously we wouldn't want to encourage an atmosphere of unhealthy scepticism around TopGear.com, but - well, they're some pretty big numbers, ain't they? Anyone willing to put a tenner on the Hennessey Venom GT living up to its rather large promises?
Oh, and anyone spotting more than a passing similarity to the Lotus Exige GT3 racer?
Want to comment on this?
That's because it's not a V8. Hennessey has a penchant for using the Viper's V10 with twin turbos for most of their outrageous limited-ed. cars. The GT Concept at the moment is no exception. It's the same engine that Hennessey used to create the fastest limited edition car in the world, the Venom 1000 Twin-Turbo, based on the Viper. And there's a 1200hp option as well.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
It wont be a production car - so its not really relivant is it, There are other "special build cars" that will do a veyron but none of them are production cars as such!!-are they!! And yes it looks like a Lotus/McClaren/Zonda!!!!! typical americans!!
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
"typical Americans".... well believe it or not, it will be production, Hennessey offers these cars to whom ever wants them once they are completed. As for the "silly Cadillacs, corvettes, and dodges" comment, I?m going to assume you have not read a single thing about Hennessey. Taking a look at their recent cars, that anyone can buy who has the money, you will find 1000 Hp r8s, 600 and 700 hp Porsches, tuning for all amg v8's to around 750hp. and they are one of the few brave souls to mess with the Veyron, Do you know what the Veyrons they build put out? 1300 Hp.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Yes silly Americans indeed, for making wonderfully engineered cars, That can handle on the track and drive on the road, Vipers that can warp space and time, and GT-R that pack 800 hp. they don't put a limit on the number produced either. So before you go to the Americans make rubbish cars card, learn something. GM and Chrysler stink, but there are so many great cars that come out of America that don't even get recognized on topgear. The great guys at Shelby, saleen, and Hennessey work non stop to make great cars, and they do. It's about bloody time Topgear takes notice.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Advertisement
Formula 1 Blog - BBC Top Gear
You're aware of China of course, you know it exists, and you're aware that ...
Formula 1 Blog - BBC Top Gear
On first assessment, you’d say it was a pretty un-TopGear kind of car – it’ ...
Advertisement
Open Car Bar
F1-RACER commented on this article
at 11:00 am on 17 August 2009
Anyone else notice the picture of the viper engine in the background?
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.