Texas, America — It's not everyday that a car company announces that it's going to build a car that can rocket to 100km/h in less 2.5 seconds. But today is one such day.
Though the company doesn't want its new project to be seen as a "Veyron Slayer", Hennessey Performance Engineering is never the less looking at building what could be one of the fastest cars in the world.
Though it's only a concept design at this stage, Hennessey expects to have the Venom GT built in concept form by 2009 and shown at various motor shows.
The car group's founder John Hennessey says "The company already has existing Venom 1000 Twin Turbo clients interested in ordering the lighter, mid-engined Venom GT. Right now are taking a serious look at building two concept cars that could be shown to the public sometime in 2009. If there is enough demand we may consider doing a very limited production run of the Venom GT."
The Venom GT would be powered by a turbocharged version of the 8.4-litre V10 engine that powers the Dodge Viper. This colossal biturbo engine would sit behind the driver in the mid-mount position for improved balance and would output more than 745kW (1000hp+) from around 5400rpm.
No torque figures have been quoted by Hennessey, but the Venom 1000 Twin Turbo SRT which features the engine that will be used in the new Venom GT makes a neck-snapping 1490Nm of torque @ 3800rpm, so expect a figure slightly higher than that.
The rear-wheel drive Hennessey Venom GT will weigh less than 1225kg (2700lbs) and in conjunction with a 6-speed manual transmission, would accelerate from zero to 100km/h in less than 2.5 seconds. A sequential (auto) gearbox is optional, says Hennessey.
Top speed will be very very high, and the American car tuner says that the Venom GT would be able to accelerate from zero to 300km/h in "around 14 seconds".
The design of the Venom GT was developed by British auto designer Steve Everitt, and Hennessey says that if the demand is there and the vehicle is given the green light for production, it would be built at the company's Lonestar Motorsports Park facility, not far from Houston, Texas.
Hennessey Performance Engineering claims to be the only aftermarket tuning firm in North America that owns and operates its own vehicle testing track/proving grounds.
While the Venom GT would outpace the current world speed champion, the Bugatti Veyron, founder John Hennessey was keen to clarify the Venom GT's purpose. It's not a Bugatti Veyron slayer.
"The Veyron is an ultra fast and ultra luxurious grand touring car which also happens to be quicker and faster than any other road car, except for our Venom 1000 Twin Turbo SRT which beat the Veyron earlier this year from 0-200mph [0-322km/h]," said John Hennessey.
"The Venom GT will be a much more engaging sports car to drive by challenging the driver with 1000+ HP in a chassis that is nearly 1500lbs [680kg] lighter than the Veyron."
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| Hennessey Venom GT |
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| Hennessey Venom GT |
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| Hennessey Venom GT |
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| Hennessey Venom GT |
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| Hennessey Venom GT |
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| Hennessey Venom GT |
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| Hennessey Venom GT |
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| Hennessey Venom GT |
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| Hennessey Venom GT |
