Hennessey Sets Sights on 300mph Record with Venom F5 Hypercar by 2024

In a bold move that reaffirms its position in the hypercar industry, Hennessey Special Vehicles from Texas has announced its ambitious goal for the Venom F5 to surpass the 300mph mark in 2024. This announcement aligns with the 10th anniversary of its Venom GT setting a world record as the fastest car by reaching a top speed of 270.49mph back in February 2014. The Venom GT's accomplishment not only surpassed the previous record held by the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport but also remains unmatched as the world's fastest car with a manual transmission.

Hennessey has already delivered 22 customer Venom F5 hypercars and has recently bolstered its engineering team, setting the stage for achieving the V-max of what it proudly calls 'America's Hypercar’. The Venom F5, housing a 1,817bhp twin-turbo V8 engine, previously achieved speeds exceeding 270mph during tests at the former NASA Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida. The quest now is to find a venue - be it a runway or a public road - long enough to safely achieve and decelerate from speeds beyond 300mph.

John Hennessey, the founder and CEO of the company, expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge and the friendly competition in the hypercar realm, stating, "It's rivalries like this that fuel our passion, and drive us to go faster, innovate more, and push harder!" He also revealed an ambitious simulation that hints at a theoretical top speed of 328mph for the Venom F5, but clarified that the immediate goal is to break 300mph in two directions, with a dream target of hitting 500km/h (310.8mph) in one direction.

Expert Team Assembled

The pursuit of setting a new hypercar speed record is supported by the recent additions to the Hennessey team, including former AMG ONE Chief Engineer Brian Jones and the 2023 Pikes Peak record-setting racing driver David Donohue. Jones described the Venom F5 as a pinnacle of combustion engine performance, blending massive power with minimal mass to achieve extraordinary acceleration capabilities. The team's focus will be on optimising power delivery and aerodynamics for the record attempt.

David Donohue, joining Hennessey as a hypercar test driver, brings a wealth of racing experience to the table. With achievements such as winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the North American Touring Car Championship, and the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Donohue's expertise will be invaluable during the high-speed testing and record runs.

Opportunities for Prospective Clients

While the 24 Venom F5 Coupes have been sold out since 2021, Hennessey has announced that a limited number of build slots are still available for the convertible and track-focused variants of the Venom F5. Interested clients are encouraged to contact the Hennessey Special Vehicles sales team or visit their website for more information.

The company's quest to break the 300mph barrier with the Venom F5 not only showcases its commitment to innovation and performance but also keeps the spirit of competition alive in the hypercar industry. As preparations continue, the automotive world watches with anticipation for Hennessey's attempt to make history once again.