Hennessey Venom GT

Hennessy are a well known and respected tuning outfit who are probably best known for producing high-horsepower upgrade kits for large displacement US muscle cars - although they actually offer performance products for several European and Japanese manufacturers too.

Previously the company, which has been around since 1991, have stuck to making other manufacturers cars go faster. But with the Venom GT Hennessey are venturing into more of a manufacturer-style role. The car's still a donor - as evidenced by the recognizable Lotus Elise profile. However its not just a simple engine swap, there's been a significant change in the car's overall setup and dimensions.

"This is not the first time that Britain and America have joined forces to produce a weapon of mass propulsion", said company founder and president, John Hennessey. "Over fifty years ago the American-built P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft was flown into history powered by a British Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. Today the Hennessey Venom GT promises to set a new standard of power to weight ratio in the rarefied air of today's supercar market."

Thankfully Hennessey have taken a page out of Lotus' book and decided to keep the weight to a minimum. Target weight for the finished vehicle is a featherweight 1,071 kgs (2,400 lbs). The low overall weight is made possible though the use of carbon fibre bodywork and wheels.

Mounted in the center of the Venom GT is a 6.2 litre LS9 V8 engine - the same beast fitted to the mighty Corvette ZR1. In the standard Venom GT it'll be turning out 725 horsepower, but the company are also offering 1000 hp and 1200 hp variants thanks to optional twin turbochargers.

In order to keep the car and driver from careening off at the first corner, Hennessey are fitting the car with a programmable traction control system. Backing this up is the aerodynamic bodywork which is designed to provide significant downforce at speed. An active aero system with adjustable rear wing will deploy depending on the driving conditions. Braking is provided by Brembo 6-piston calipers up front, and 4-piston calipers at the rear which put the squeeze on carbon ceramic discs.

Hennessey plan on producing just 10 cars a year. Sales will be through a number of dealerships throughout Europe, Australia, Asia and the Middle East.

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