Hennessey Performance Engineering created the Venom F5 with the same design philosophy the company employed for its predecessor, the Venom GT: an exterior shaped by aerodynamics and inspired by the pursuit of speed. The magnificent supercar displays a sculpted body with smooth-flowing surfaces that suggest agility and velocity that puts most cars on notice. Underneath the F5 engine boasts more displacement and power than the GT, all designed to achieve Hennessey's objective.
Note: While we wait for official word from consumers on the upcoming Hennessey Venom F5, HotCars' 'Costs, Facts, And Figures' rating defaults to 1 out of 10. Once we start fielding what owners think of this upcoming vehicle, we'll be sure to update the score to reflect what drivers think.
Nathan Malinick, Hennessey's Director of Design said it best: "We began our design journey with a goal to be the fastest car in the world." The automaker came close to doing just that. Most sources place the Venom 5 near the top of the list of fastest production cars.
Ranked by manufacturer's estimated top speed, the Venom 5 with a top speed of 311 mph places second behind the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut rated at 330 mph, but ahead of the Bugatti Bolide at 310 mph, the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ at 305 mph, and the SSC Tuatara at 283 mph.
Here are the features that make the Venom F5 one of the world's fastest production cars.
Hennessey Venom F5
- One of the most powerful engines in a production automobile
- Exceptional aerodynamics with a low drag coefficient
- Carbon fiber components
- Model: Venom F5
- Engine/Motor: 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged V8
- Horsepower: 1,817 hp at 8000 rpm
- Torque: 1,193 lb-ft at 5500rpm
- Drivetrain: RWD
- Transmission: CIMA seven-speed single-clutch automated manual
- Production limited to 24 units
- Lightweight
- Beautifully sculpted body
- Expensive
- All models sold out
Full Power Available Only In The F5 Drive Mode
Nicknamed the "Fury," the F5 6.6-liter rear-mounted twin-turbocharged V8 engine produces an impressive 1,817 hp at 8000 RPM and 1,193 lb-ft of torque at 5500 RPM. The engine features a cast-iron block and aluminum cylinder heads that help keep the weight to a minimum of 617-pounds. Hennessey designed a unique intake manifold with the intercooler placed between the cylinder heads and the plenum to reduce intent air temperatures and attain maximum power.
The massive engine sends power to the rear wheels via a CIMA seven-speed single-clutch automated manual transmission and a mechanical limited-slip rear differential with a final-drive ratio is 3.167:1.
The Venom F5 offers five drive modes: Wet, Sport, Drag, Track, and F5. Each mode alters the power delivery, shift points, steering weight, and calibrations for traction control, the ABS, and electronic stability control.
Although the 6.6-liter V8 has a redline of 8,500 RPM, the engine is electronically-limited to 8,200 RPM except in F5 mode, the only drive mode that releases the full 1,817 horsepower. Hennessey enables the maximum power to buyers only after they learn how to use it.
The Venom F5 Designed For A Top Speed Of 334 MPH
To achieve speeds near 300 mph, a road car must have exceptional power, a slippery aerodynamic design resulting in a low-drag coefficient, a lightweight attained with the use of high-strength composite materials, and handling characteristics that keep the vehicle stable on curves as well as in a straight-line.
According to Hennessey, the Venom G5, boasting all the required characteristics for record-breaking speed, accelerates to 62 mph (100 km/h) in a mere 2.6-seconds and reaches 124 mph (200 kph) in 4.7-seconds. Although Hennessey rates the top speed at over 311 mph, the automaker designed the F5 for 334 mph.
The Venom F5 carbon-fiber monocoque that weighs a mere 189-pounds forms the basis for a sleek aerodynamic shape featuring a unique herringbone pattern carbon weave on the center-line of the vehicle. Hennessey built the exterior body panels, the doors, and door sills from high-strength carbon fiber to reduce weight.
The Venom F5 weighs a total of 2,998-pounds, providing the hypercar a remarkable power-to-weight ratio of 1,298 hp per ton (0.61 hp per pound). A double-wishbone independent suspension and Penske adjustable coil-over dampers at the corners enhance cornering, high-speed handling, and stability. Hennessey selected an electric power steering system for the F5 instead of a hydraulic unit due to simplification and packaging.
The braking system consists of Brembo carbon ceramic disc brake rotors (15.35-inch) at all four-corners with six-piston front-calipers and four-piston rear AP Racing calipers. Massive 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels host Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.
A Bare-Bones Interior Design
Butterfly doors open to expose a driver-focused cabin minimizing features that would add weight and ultimately degrade high-performance.
A leather-clad carbon fiber steering-wheel packed with buttons inspired by an airplane yoke and an F1 racecar has the top portion removed to improve visibility and encourage drivers to rest their heads against the seat-backs during blistering acceleration. The two-seater interior features lightweight materials, including leather and satin finish carbon fiber. Leather and aluminum inserts overlaid on the carbon fiber highlight the dashboard. The door panels support lightweight carbon fiber door handles and feature aluminum inserts portraying the Texas (Hennessey headquarters, Sealy, Texas) and U.S. flags.
A carbon fiber center console includes various function buttons and two displays: a 1.3-inch digital screen for controlling the HVAC systems, and a 9.0-inch Alpine touch-screen infotainment system providing access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with satellite navigation.
The Venom F5 Sales Price Compares Favorably With Other High-Performance Cars
In August 2021, Hennessey displayed the Venom F5 at Monterey Car Week featuring the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and The Quail. The company announced it had sold all 24 units, with deliveries scheduled towards the end of the year and continuing through 2023.
The competition in the hypercar segment is extremely limited, but the Venom F5 price compares favorably to the other high-speed cars. The Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut sells for $2.8-million, the Bugatti Bolide for $3.0-million, the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ for a whopping $4.0-million, and the SSC Tuatara starts at $1.6-million. The 2022 Hennessey Venom F5 units sold for a base price of $2.1-million.