Hennessey Venom GT Concept Car Announced

Hennessey Venom GT Concept Car - 800

A company specialising in the development and marketing of parts and services for America's hottest offerings, including the Dodge Viper SRT10, has released photos of their first concept vehicle to date - the British-penned Hennessey Venom GT. Interest from existing Venom 1000 Twin Turbo clients is spurring the team on to produce two potential concept cars for a public debut in 2009, with limited-run production remaining on the cards after a good reception.

Drawing on Hennessey's experience with Dodge's Viper SRT10 and SRT8-designated models of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum, the concept car's resulting equation is simple. Four-figure power output plus an ultra-lightweight mid-engined chassis produces benchmark-setting, 'Veyron-slaying' performance.

British designer Steve Everitt has been given the task of penning the new concept car, this first sketch hinting at the first styling cues that may head our way for 2009, while the powertrain is very much developed for benchmark-setting performance. The V10 powerplant would generate in excess of 1000 hp and is estimated to deliver acceleration figures of 0-100 kph (62 mph) in 2.5 seconds and a 0-300 kph (186 mph) time of 14 seconds - largely thanks to a gross weight of 2700 lbs (some 1500 lbs lighter than Buggati Veyron).

Should a limited production run be entered into, the Venom GT would be built at the firm's new facilities near to Houston, Texas. Stay tuned for further information.

Source: Hennessey Performance Engineering

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HOUSTON, TEXAS - Hennessey Performance Engineering today announced that it is introducing the company's first concept car - The Venom GT.

Penned by British auto designer, Steve Everitt, the Venom GT would incorporate Hennessey's potent Venom 1000 Twin Turbo Viper V10 powerplant into a light weight mid-engine chassis weighing "under 2,700 lbs". Power would be run through a 6-speed transmission or optional sequential gearbox.

With a power to weight ratio of just 2.7 lbs per bhp Hennessey estimates that the Venom GT could attain 0 to 100 km/h times in less than 2.5 sec. and a 0-300 km/h time of around 14 seconds. Company founder, John Hennessey, is careful to point out that the Venom GT is not being built as a 'Veyron Slayer'. Hennessey point out, saying, 'The Veyron is an ultra fast and ultra luxurious grand touring car which also happens to be quicker and faster than any other road car, except for our Venom 1000 Twin Turbo SRT which beat the Veyron earlier this year from 0-200 mph. The Venom GT will be a much more engaging sports car to drive by challenging the driver with 1000+ HP in a chassis that is nearly 1500 lbs lighter than the Veyron.'

Hennessey said, 'The company already has existing Venom 1000 Twin Turbo clients interested in ordering the lighter, mid-engined Venom GT. "Right now are taking a serious look at building 2 concept cars that could be shown to the public sometime in 2009. If there is enough demand we may consider doing a very limited production run of the Venom GT.'

If the Venom GT goes into production, it would be built at the company's facility at Lonestar Motorsports Park which is located just west of Houston, Texas.

About Hennessey Performance Engineering

Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) specializes in designing, testing, manufacturing and selling high-performance parts and services for the Dodge Viper SRT10, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, Chrysler 300C SRT8 and Dodge Magnum SRT8 as well as other high performance and exotic brands such as Bentley, AMG Mercedes and Porsche. HPE is completing the construction of the company's new 30,000 square foot engineering and manufacturing facility at the company's Lonestar Motorosports Park - a 1/4 mile dragstrip located 45 minutes west of Houston, Texas. HPE is the only aftermarket tuning firm in North America that owns and operates its own vehicle testing track / proving grounds. The company will move to its new facility at the end of 2007.

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dmanero

Personally I don't like it, It's not orginal. Right off the bat I can see design features from three diffrent cars. One being the lotus Elise, Leman's prototype racecar and the ssc.

November 19, 2007 5:47 pm

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FOXHOUND

i see a mix of elise GT1 in front and carrera GT in the back, but overall awesome looking car. it may just beat the veyron in the performance department, but not in the build quality or luxury department and CERTAINLY NOT the PRICE department!!!

November 19, 2007 6:00 pm

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jai_mav

is the veyron really still the benchmark? i thought the ssc ultimate aero had beaten it.

November 19, 2007 6:27 pm

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dmanero

ssc may be the newest car to beat the fastest street legal car but the Bugatti is still the car to beat when it comes to performance looks and handling. even if I had the choice between the ssc and bugatti, it'll be bugatti hands down.

November 19, 2007 6:48 pm

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If I didn't read the topic, I would have thought that this is a Lotus.

November 19, 2007 7:35 pm

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foose1397

I would have thought the same about it looking like a lotus. The design is a mismatch and who ever compiled this sketch needs to take lesson on perspective 101

November 19, 2007 7:47 pm

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MBAMG12

Whoever drew this should be sued for artistic plagarism. The front looks so similar to that of the Lotus Elise, the wheels look like they were taken straight off the Elise GT1, the large side vents, as well as the seemingly removable hardtop and the spoiler echo those of the carrera GT. Seriously, what happened to originality. this is as boring as any typical supercar.

November 19, 2007 8:29 pm

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Aesthetics

attempts like this only proves the veyron as the ultimate superstar and el cheapo's like this are rather annoying pegging on the term veyron. the ssc looks like mutant plastic surgery. its either people not getting the idea of what exactly is the purpose of the veyron or they just shamelessly screaming for attention. saying 250mp/h is not as glamourous as saying 'veyron' nowdays.

November 19, 2007 9:29 pm

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stillthewhizz

Wow this was enough to make me register. This is quite uncannily like the Lotus M250 concept from a few years back. http://www.geocities.com/x16900/Lotus_M250_2.jpg I can only think, Lotus sold them the rights to it?

November 19, 2007 10:54 pm

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MBAMG12

Wow this car really seems to be taken from that lotus concept, all the air dams, rear end design. Lotus would've never sold their rights to an American tuner. This artist's ass should be sued because that's kinda messed up.

November 20, 2007 12:23 am

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Harajoshi

Is Hennessey a chinese company? Because that is what the car looks, copied from the mayasien Lotus. And who cares about the performance that a car may have in two years? I would take the Veyron without a engine before looking at this car again..

November 19, 2007 11:50 pm

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Harajoshi

*malaysien

November 20, 2007 12:04 am

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puddingpuppet

I'm not a fan of it either, but I absolutely hate the Veyron. Seriously, a W16 with quad turbos and all they managed to pump out is 1001 bhp? Not to mention it's a fat ass of a car and far too overrated for its price. I'd take the Koenigsegg CCX or McLaren F1 over it, both of which seem far more exciting to drive, not too mention look much better.

November 20, 2007 2:43 am

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Basseman

I'm sorry Mr. Pudding - but i just had to reply on your comment. It genuinly seems, that you JUST don't get the idea of the Veyron? And i can tell what the idea is, because I have visited the factory, i've got the grand tour and the explenation from all the designers - and i've driven it on both the road and on track, with profs by my side. The Veyron is a masterpiece of engineering. The benchmark for all cars to come. Yes, you are very right - the W16 engine does "only" output 1001 bph. But that's not the point. The engine could easiliy - and i tell you, easily - output 2000 bhp. But again, not the point, because it only revs up to 6000 rpm, and in 30.000 km, it wil STILL output 1001 bhp and do 0-62mph in 2.5 seconds, it will still do the 253mph top speed (407 km/h) and it will still be as realiable as a Toyota and as luxurious as a Bentley. In order for people to understand the car, they must have driven it. This car, can be used for everyday, quite comfortable riding. Even the gas consumption are not bad on normal roads with normal conditions. It has luxury inside beyond any car - the leather for instance is twice the quality of the one used in Bentleys etc. THAT's how great this car is. It will last a lifetime and still outdo a Formula 1 car in the straights. And on a track? It handles like an Elise - it's just fantastic! The gearbox? The most fantastic thing! It changes so smoothly and so quickly, and when you hit an apex and hit the power in 3rd gear, it just rips your hands off and thrusts you back in the seat. Seriously - trust me on this. If they wanted to, they could power it up to beat every new concept on the planet coming in the next ten years (with pistons, that is..) They just don't need to. And that's the whole point. The Aero SCC and Koenigsegg and others, will never be as reliable, as comfortable, handle as good or have the potential to be tuned to even greater limits! Imagine if the Veyron engine reved to 8500rpm with twice the boost on every of the 4 Turbos? All other cars go HOME. The Veyron is the benchmark for years and years to come - properly forever.

November 20, 2007 9:59 am

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puddingpuppet

I don't care, I still think it looks like shit. I've never been about luxury, only pure driving. I want to feel like I'm connected to a car, feel every bump in the road.

November 20, 2007 2:30 pm

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blueraider19

Hennessey posted a message over on pistonheads. The car is based on a Lotus Elise. Some had responded just as many of you have. Hennessey said they did not want to create an all new car. He said the Exige would be a good start. Heck! Maybe Lotus could help them iron out the handling.

November 20, 2007 11:05 am

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moyusuf

Did a Carrera GT have sex with a Lotus Elise somewhere??

November 20, 2007 12:32 pm

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FOXHOUND

the carrera gt made love to the lotus elise, then on the way home the elise was raped by a viper, hence the elise face, viper heart, and carrera gt ass!!!!

November 20, 2007 6:11 pm

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MBAMG

lmao a very nice way to put it. I think this is also the bastard child of a CLK GTR as well.

November 20, 2007 7:14 pm

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radmeister

This car is probably going to cost as much as a Carrera Gt. and unlike the carrera gt which has 5000mile oil changes and 35,000mile scheduled maintenance this is powered by an american V10 that will never make it to 35,000miles. The ssc ultimate aero has not beaten the Veyron because 50 units have not yet been produced/sold therefore its not considered a production car. Closest thing to the Veyron is the Koenigsegg CCR followed by the classic king of top speed the McLaren F1.

November 20, 2007 9:52 pm

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_M7_

the pic it a fkng copi of LOTUS EXIGE GT3 americans havenÃ‚Â´t learn how to make a proper car yet jajaj

November 21, 2007 12:35 am

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Basseman

Pudding guy: Seriously, people who are not in love with the Veyron, are dead inside? It handles like a LOTUS i tell you!!

November 22, 2007 2:28 pm

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puddingpuppet

Sure.

November 23, 2007 1:05 am

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Drag

American haven't figured out how to make a proper car yet hahah thats funny... look if it wasn't for us u'd still be using horses b/c u couldn't afford a car thank henry ford for the insight on the assembly line... i don't even like ford but credit is due where it is deserved... want some ice with that burn

November 26, 2007 5:06 am

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Drag

sorry Ransom Olds first used the assembly line Henry ford pioneered it

November 26, 2007 5:13 am

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