Hennessey Venom GT: A Super Car Based On The Lotus Exige

Manufactured by Texas based Hennessey Performance Engineering and assembled in England. The Venom GT has set a Guinness World Record for the fastest production car, clocked at an acceleration time of 13.63 seconds sprinting from 0-300Km. In addition, the vehicle set an unofficial record from 0-200Km at 14.51 seconds, defeating the Koenigsegg Agera R which was clocked at 17.68 seconds, making it the unofficial fastest accelerating production car in the world. The team behind it has roots from various motor sport brands like, Formula 1, Le Mans and Bonneville backgrounds. So it's no surprise to find that the Venom's bodywork and wheels are carbon fibre, there's an adjustable rear wing, active aerodynamics and adjustable suspension too. Tyres are Michelin Pilot Super Sports, massive enough and to add, it sits on 20 inch rims in the rear. Discs are carbon ceramic, gripped by Brembo's six piston calipers at all four corners.



The heart of the Venom GT is it's engine. While it shares it's 7 litre capacity with GM's LS7 series production motors, it is a bespoke built, with a strengthened block and custom internals. The turbo installation draws upon Hennessey's huge experience of extracting massive power from what were originally naturally aspirated engines. Hennessey's assertion that the motor is good for a safe 2000hp. All this power and torque hits the road via standard six speed manual gearbox and rear axle assembly taken from the Ford GT. The Hennessey crew spends a lot of time for perfecting the traction control settings and boost management, using test launches upto 240Km to gauge traction before making further tweaks. The way the Venom GT leaps from the start, then apparently accelerates faster and faster with every gear is stunning.



Like the clutch the gearshift is sweet and positive. Thing's tend to happen very fast on full-boost, so you don't want to think the lever home during rapid cross gate shifts. It's got longish throw, but has steadfast precision and constituency no matter how hard you are being battered by acceleration G. This Ricardo built transmission is surely one of the best manual boxes ever made, not only for it's shift quality, but for it's ability to take as much as 2000hp without complaint or need for internal strengthening. An adjustable suspension system will allow ride height adjustments by 2.4 inches according to speed and driving conditions. The Michelin PS2 tyres will also help put power to the ground. The Brembo carbon ceramic brakes are so strong and confidently inspiring when hauling down from 320Km+. Whether you are brushing them or stomping on them, they always seem to deliver just the right amount of braking effort.



The steering retains a good deal of it's Lotus DNA, especially in the measured way the Venom peels into corners. That's the true feel in the electric steering, so you can load the front end from the moment you turn you turn in. At fast road speeds, atleast have no qualms about the tail failing to keep up or match the front's resistance to roll.



The Venom GT is sold at a whooping $1.2 million, not so 'whooping' compared to some other hunks. You pay for what you get, this car is loaded and the company is ready to load it up more if the customer demands so. If gasoline is your drug of choice, this car’s throttle is a syringe. Production is just limited to 10 vehicles per year, looks like the que is never ending.