Being fastest in the world really matters – Hennessey

Being fastest in the world really matters – Hennessey

The Hennessey Venom F5 was introduced in November 2017 with one goal in mind, that is to bag the title of the world’s fastest production car. The custom-built F5 packs a monstrous 1,600 hp and 1,762 Nm of torque, with power sent exclusively to the rear through a seven-speed single clutch automatic transmission.

Now, does being the fastest in the world really matter? Company founder John Hennessey told Autocar, “for our clients, being the fastest really matters. They want it to be the best. The last car went 270 mph (434 km/h) and was still pulling, but it had a massive amount of downforce and drag; it had a drag coefficient of 0.44.”

The F5 will feature a carbon-fibre structure with metal subframes front and rear. Its shape is aerodynamically modelled based on its projected top speed of 301 mph (484 km/h), and it will have a full-length undertray as well as a deployable rear wing. Hennessey quotes a drag coefficient of 0.33, but the figure may be improved before the first production model arrives.

Unlike the Venom GT which made 1,261 hp from a twin-turbocharged 7.0 litre GM V8, the Venom F5 will pack a larger 7.4 litre unit and the output touted aren’t just numbers plucked from the sky.

“That was the number we decided we needed,” said Hennessey. “By our calculations, we can hit 300 mph (482 km/h) with less than 1,600 hp, but I always like to feel I’ve got more power in case it’s hot or we’re running at higher altitude,” said Hennessey.

“The seven-speed gearbox is “about the only thing we’re outsourcing. It’s similar to the one the Koenigsegg guys use,” he added. For tyres, Hennessey said Michelin will give its full technical support to “make sure we have a proper tyre for the speeds we want to run. What really matters is the load capacity of the tyre and what load is being generated at each corner.”

Being fastest in the world really matters – Hennessey

Speaking on the record breaking attempt, Hennessey said, “Christian [von Koenigsegg] had the balls to come and take our record in the US, so maybe we should take it back there.” Last year, Koenigsegg snagged the coveted title from the Venom GT with an Agera RS, which was one of five records set in a day.

Hennessey plans to build just 24 units of the Venom F5. Currently, a dozen units have already been ordered, each costing US$1.6 million (RM6,359,200) before options. Besides Hennessey, just three other automakers are keen being part of the 300 mph club – Bugatti, Koenigsegg and McLaren.

Hennessey Venom F5

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Matthew H Tong

An ardent believer that fun cars need not be fast and fast cars may not always be fun. Matt advocates the purity and simplicity of manually swapping cogs while coping in silence of its impending doom. Matt's not hot. Never hot.

 

Comments

  • sampan 250kmph on Jun 07, 2018 at 1:36 pm

    my guess it will be 50 liters of fuel to travel 100 KM, and only Ron100 at selected Petron station

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • the driver on Jun 07, 2018 at 2:02 pm

      Or 50km before the engines burns up in our climate

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Mikey on Jun 07, 2018 at 2:12 pm

      I like your sampan bcos it can go 250kmph. Must be the fastest sampan in Malaysia !!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
      • sampan 250kmph on Jun 07, 2018 at 3:40 pm

        LoL Not many can achieved 250km/h with best handling like sampan

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • stastasta on Jun 11, 2018 at 11:20 am

      ron100 is not good enough, probably it will use race fuel or ethanol blend

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Nobuyuki Gryffindor on Jun 10, 2018 at 4:40 am

    Who said Hennessey Venom F5 is gunning for only 300mph? John Hennessey said that achieving 300mph is pretty easy and 300mph is too slow, because their ultimate goal is to reach 311-330mph for peak speed in Venom F5.And also, Hennessey Venom F5 would have far more hp than 1600bhp, it’s actual car would be 1800-2000bhp or something

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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