VIDEO: R&T Takes Hennessey's Venom GT Out on the Track

Remember Hennessey’s barnstorming, 1,200 hp (895 kW) Venom GT? Well its back and the journalistic titans at Road & Track have driven it. And there’s a video, to boot. Weighing in at a lithe 2,685 lbs (1,218 kg), the phenomenal Venom GT builds on Hennessey’s experience with tuning the Viper, 5th generation Camaro and various Cadillacs, among many others. It’s a simple formula, really. Big power + light weight = big fun.

Hennessey first takes a Lotus Elise, arguably one of the best mass produced, lightweight track cars ever made. They strip it down the chassis, lengthen it and rebuild it with a slippery, restyled body that offers the right mix of down force and engine cooling. Then they swap out the Elise’s 1.8 L turbocharged four-pot for a twin-turbo variant of Chevrolet’s 6.9 L LS9 V8, add carbon ceramic brakes and a KW adjustable suspension setup and et voila, the Hennessey Venom GT.

So what’s the verdict? Well, you’ll have to watch the video and make up your own mind. A small hint, but that’s all I’m giving away: the GT is capable of doing 135 mph (217 km/h) in 3rd gear. If that doesn’t make your automotive blood boil, then nothing will.

Hennessey intends to build just 29 of the cars over three years, with a price topping US$600,000 (€455,373). If this were any other car by any other tuner, I’d call that outrageous, but this is a Hennessey and the culmination of all their engineering knowhow. Believe the hype: there’s a new king and his name is Venom GT.

By Tristan Hankins

Via: R&T

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http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/12/video-r-takes-hennessey-venom-gt-out-on_20.html

Hennessey Unleashes the Supercharged HPE600 Camaro with 602HP

Hennessey Performance has released another performance upgrade for Chevy's new Camaro SS, called the HPE600, based on 2010-2011 LS3 or L99 powered versions. It encompasses, among other things, a TVS2300 Supercharger System, which raises output to 602 hp and 595 lb-ft (807 Nm) of torque.

The Texas-based tuner claims that the HPE600 is capable of completing the 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint in the mid 3-second range and run the quarter mile (~400 meters) in 11 seconds.

Check out the video after the jump to hear that specific, spine-chilling Hennessey grunt.

This über-Camaro features other high-performance parts, like cold air induction system and upgraded injectors, and on the official website Hennessey states that many more additional appearance and performance options are also available.

By Csaba Daradics

The HPE600 Supercharged Upgrade Includes:

• TVS2300 Supercharger System (Black or Chrome)

• HPE Cold Air Induction System

• 1 7/8 inch Long Tube Stainless Steel Headers

• High Flow Catalytic Converters

• Fuel Injector Upgrade

• HPE Engine Management Calibration

• Hennessey & HPE600 Exterior Badging

• Limited Edition Numbered Dash & Engine Plaques

• Hennessey Premium Floor Mats

• Professional Installation

• Dyno Tuning & Road Testing

• 3 Year / 36,000 Mile Limited Warranty 


Additional Appearance and Performance Options 
for the HPE600 also Available:

• Stainless Steel Cat-Back Exhaust

• Exterior Stripes

• Lightweight Wheels

• Torque Converter or Clutch Upgrade

• Full Coliover Suspension Kit

• Hennessey CarbonAero Body Kit

• Custom Leather Interior

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http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/11/hennessey-unleashes-supercharged-hpe600.html

Hennessey's Venom GT is a Corvette-Powered Elise with 1,200HP

Some say you can't make a Lotus any better. Well, maybe they haven't head of Hennessey and its SEMA Show-bound Venom GT. The American firm's new toy is based on the Lotus Elise and, in its flagship version, comes equipped with an out-of-this-world 1,200 hp (895 kW) twin turbocharged V8 engine sourced from the Corvette. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

The V8-powered sports car also gets race-spec disc brakes sourced from Brembo with 15.2-inch diameter carbon-ceramic rotors and 6-piston aluminum calipers.

According to Hennessey, the Venom GT tips the scales at 2,685 lbs (1,220 kg). Estimated performance figures say that, this hypercar, will go from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 2.4 seconds, and to 200mph (322 km/h) in 15.6 seconds.

In comparison, the Bugatti Veyron completes the 0-200mph sprint in 24.2 seconds. Hennessey's proposal tops out at a jaw-dropping 267mph or 429km/h.

For those that find 1,200HP a tad too much, Hennessey will also offer two more iterations of the V8 engine, one producing 725 hp (541 kW) and the other 1,000 horses (746 kW).

"We are very excited to have the opportunity to show our Venom GT in the Mobil 1 display at this year's SEMA show," said company founder and president, John Hennessey. "We first announced our interest in developing an ultra lightweight, ultra powerful sports car – the Venom GT concept – nearly three years ago during SEMA."

"Driving the Venom GT is a thrilling experience," Hennessey adds. "It is a driver's car, a supercar with a soul that will give you as much speed and performance as you dare ask of it. If you ever wanted to experience flying a military fighter jet, the Venom GT offers a similar visceral thrill of speed and performance. It's the quickest, fastest and most exciting vehicle that I have ever driven."

The American company said it plans to build just 10 Venom GTs per year. Until you can get your hands on one, take a look at this teaser video. It will make you want it even more.

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http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/10/hennessey-venom-gt-is-corvette-powered.html