Hennessey delivers first 2011 Venom GT - specs released, 57 photos

Owner resides in the UAE

Hennessey has delivered the first Venom GT to a customer in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

While the company declined to identify the owner, John Hennessey stated "This is the fulfillment of a dream that I have had since I was a kid, but it is also just the beginning as we begin to demonstrate the performance capabilities of the Venom GT in the near future."

Based on the Lotus Elise / Exige, the Venom GT features a twin-turbo V8 with 1,200 hp (895 kW / 1217 PS) and 1,135 lb-ft (1537 Nm) of torque. It enables the 2,685 lbs (1,220 kilo) supercar to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 2.4 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 440 km/h (272 mph).

The mid-range model also uses the twin-turbo V8, but develops 1,030 hp (768 kW / 1044 PS) and 972 lb-ft (1216 Nm) of torque. This allows the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds, 0-200 km/h (0-124 mph) in 7 seconds, and 0-300 km/h (0-186 mph) in 14.9 seconds. Unfortunately, the company didn't divulge the top speed.

The entry-level Venom GT features a supercharged 6.2-liter LS9 V8, from the Corvette ZR1, which churns out 725 hp (541 kW / 735 PS). While no additional specifications were released, it will likely outgun the Vette.

Other goodies include carbon fiber bodywork (with a drag coefficient of 0.36 and 0.43, the latter with the rear wing raised), a six-speed Ricardo manual transmission, Brembo brakes (with 15.0 x 1.34 carbon ceramic rotors), and an adjustable KW coilover suspension.

Check out the press release for additional information.

Source: Hennessey Performance Engineering

show/hide press release

Introducing the First Production 2011 Hennessey Venom GT - Chassis Number 01

SEALY, TEXAS & SILVERSTONE, ENGLAND, June 14, 2010 - Hennessey Performance is proud to announce the delivery of the company's first production-ready Venom GT supercar. Having left its UK production facility, the Chassis Number 01 Venom GT is headed to the UAE where it is to be delivered to its new owner by Hennessey's exclusive Middle East distributor, Al DiMora of DiMora Motorcar.

"This is the fulfillment of a dream that I have had since I was a kid", says company founder, John Hennessey. "But it is also just the beginning as we begin to demonstrate the performance capabilities of the Venom GT in the near future".

The top tier model, the first production Venom is powered by a twin turbocharged Chevrolet LS-series aluminum V8 producing 1,200 hp and 1,135 lb-ft torque mated to a 6-speed Ricardo manual transaxle (the same as found in the Ford GT). Boasting a dry weight of just 2,548 lbs and a curb weight of 2,685 lbs with a full tank of fuel, the car delivers on its promise of an astounding power-to-weight ratio.

Harnessing this power is a chassis that is a far cry from the Lotus Elise which it's derived. Aside from reusing the windshield, doors, roof, floor, dash and various trim components, the Venom GT's design and construction has been engineered from the ground up for a truly unique supercar. An all-new front and rear space frame and suspension is cloaked in a new carbon fiber body, sporting an adjustable rear wing for exceptional high-speed stability.

Production levels of the Venom GT range from the base 725 hp supercharged LS9 V8 unveiled in the original prototype car to 1,000 hp and 1,200 hp twin turbo V8 variants. Each vehicle is painted and its interior crafted to each owner's specification, offering the opportunity for one-off exclusivity.

Each Venom GT is built in Silverstone, England, with power plants sourced from HPE's Texas headquarters. Available in both left and right-hand drive configuration, the Venom GT is an international supercar fusing the power and emotion of American V8 muscle with the refinement of Britain's renowned racing heritage.

2011 Hennessey Venom GT Specifications

Engine Block Size Position Compression Redline Forced Induction Oiling System Valvetrain Fuel System	Chevrolet LS V8 Aluminum 376 CID (6.2 Liter) Mid Longitudinal 8.8:1 7,200 rpm Twin Ball Bearing Turbochargers Dry Sump OHV, 2 Valves per Cylinder Sequential Multi-Port Electronic Fuel Injection
Power Horsepower Torque Specific Output BHP / Weight Boost Fuel	1,030 bhp @ 6,500 rpm (933 rear wheel hp) 972 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm (874 rear wheel lb-ft) 166 bhp / Liter 767.23 hp per ton (2.61 lbs / hp) 16 psi (1.1 bar) 93 octane
Transmission Type Gear Ratios Final Drive	Ricardo 6-Speed Manual 2.61:1, 1.71:1, 1.23:1, 0.94:1, 0.77:1; 0.63:1 3.36:1
Speed by Gear Redline 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th	7,200 rpm 68 mph 104 145 190 232 260 (6,600 rpm)
Performance 0 - 100 km/h 0 - 200 km/h 0 - 300 km/h	2.9 sec 7.0 sec 14.9 sec
Aerodynamics Drag Coefficient Downforce	0.36 (rear wing down); 0.43 (wing raised) 1,492 lbs @ 150 mph
Brakes Calipers Rotors	Brembo 6-piston (all 4 corners) 15.0 x 1.34 in Carbon Ceramic (all 4 corners)
Suspension Type Ride Height	KW Variant 3 Adjustable Coilover (all 4 corners) Adjustable by 2.4 inches (60 mm)
Dimensions Length Width Wheelbase Track - Front Track - Rear	15.27 ft (4,655 mm) 6.43 ft (1,960 mm) 110.24 in (2,800 mm) 63.46 in (1,612 mm) 63.15 in (1,604 mm)
Weight & Measurements Curb Weight Dry Weight F/R Balance Fuel Capacity	2,685 lbs (1,220 kilo) 2,524 lbs (1,147 kilo) 37/63 (empty); 44/56 (with driver & passenger) 18.5 gal (70 liter)
Wheels & Tires Tire - Front Tire - Rear Wheel - Front Wheel - Rear	235/30/20 Michelin PS2 335/30/20 Michelin PS2 8.5 x 20 in 12.5 x 20 in

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nederinaa

It is part Lotus Exige (which it is), part Porsche Carrera GT, and part McLaren F1. I love it!

June 14, 2010 9:54 am

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1 reply

FOXHOUND

this car is freakin awesome :) but no matter how fast, fun, or insane a car is there will always be haters

June 14, 2010 10:44 am

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Hero Sina

Insanne car , But i don't think i prefer this super duper tuned Exige to a Koenigsegg or SSC.

June 14, 2010 9:56 am

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Fily McNasty

It realy looks to long look's like a panarama lens is always on car blek We need another midseat super car McLaren has fallen from grace with ther side-by-side seating

June 14, 2010 10:21 am

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PONTIAC G8 GXP

Looks like Lotus Elise with longer wheel base. I don't think that it can be fastest car at Nurburgring Nordschleife

June 14, 2010 10:44 am

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1 reply

Mikeado

It essentially is a lengthened Exige with a massive engine. And I agree about the Nurburgring. Applying the Jeremy Clarkson Principle to a car - however capable - isn't a quick and easy option to record-breaking goodness. It needs to be the complete package. Or a GT2 RS.

June 14, 2010 1:40 pm

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MTC

Less kit-car than the SSC Ultimate Aero lighter than a Veyron I personally prefer the McLaren F1, but this is not bad at all

June 14, 2010 11:13 am

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Turbo91

Porsche will still be the fastest on the ring. You dont think Germans can make a 1200hp engine too? Not needed though

June 14, 2010 1:08 pm

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3 replies

EDavis

This just in... The Hennessey Venom GT ISN'T a Group C race car. Story at 10.

June 14, 2010 3:54 pm

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Turbo91

You aren't funny

June 14, 2010 7:38 pm

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FOXHOUND

lol made me laugh :D

June 14, 2010 11:09 pm

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DearS

On paper it sounds great, but will need to see it in action (since we won't drive it) and see what it does. I bet the company can work with that much power, but can they work with a whole car?

June 14, 2010 1:20 pm

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Mikeado

As much as I've enjoyed ripping on this up to now, it does look surprisingly good in silver (the most boring non-colour in the world), aside from the horribly stretched rear half. The one-piece front end in particular looks nice. But I don't want theoretical numbers, I want to see a timed, measured V-Max run - 0-60, 0-100 and Top Speed - the fact that they haven't mentioned the actual top speed suggests to me that it isn't as good as they expected. Or, y'know, they haven't actually found it out yet, which is understandable to an extent. I certainly wouldn't want to try topping 250mph in that thing. And I never will, because most of them will probably be mothballed by trinket collectors in the UAE (or somewhere similar in wealth) like this first one is.

June 14, 2010 1:37 pm

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997-GT500-STI

Really bad azz, but the power is insane... I drove my buddies Viper Venom 1000TT, and the car is nuts? I can?t imagine how quick this thing is, its made to spank everyone in a drag race?.

June 15, 2010 12:25 am

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BadMrSnake

This car is pure ugly! Hennessy really let me down!

June 15, 2010 12:40 am

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norther

i have three questions. does it break down like the majority of hennessey's models? is the interior as spartan as ..some..of hennesseys` models? and do you have to start the car (like all the veyron rivals) by pressing 100 buttons in the same time? (and beofre starting it, do have to switch on: fuel pump, oil pump..etc etc and other pumps)

June 16, 2010 9:08 am

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