LAS VEGAS: The 2015 SEMA show just got a bit more bite. And that’s because when its doors open on Tuesday, it will play host to a new, even faster and even more exclusive version of the Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) Venom GT.
As one of the very few boutique hypercars that can cut it with the big boys in terms of reliability and performance, the Venom could already serve up 1,244hp and a top speed of 435kph.
However, on Nov 3 it will be overtaken by the new 1,451 HP Hennessey Venom GT model, which can output a Bugatti Veyron-baiting 1,451hp from the same 7-litre twin-turbo V8, and that should translate into a 0-100kph time of 2.4 seconds and a potential top speed of 450kph.
“Being the fastest matters,” said HPE founder and president, John Hennessey. “We are intent on keeping the Venom as the fastest, best performing and most exciting hypercar on the road.”
The new model, which also showcases a GPS-informed traction control system so that none of that extra power goes to waste, should also keep Venom fans happy until the company’s next hypercar, the F5, is ready for launch.
“We only plan to produce a handful of Venom GT’s in 2016 as we are also preparing for our next evolution, the Venom F5,” said Hennessey. “We plan to demonstrate our improved power and performance both in terms of straight line acceleration as well as road course handling and lap time performance.”
However, all of this talk of and work on hypercars hasn’t distracted the company from doing what it’s always done best – taking slow cars and making them fast and taking fast cars and making them ferocious.
Alongside the 1451 Venom, HPE will be displaying the 2016 HPE750 Supercharged Ford Mustang Convertible. Its 5-litre, force-fed V8 will output 774hp, can accelerate from standstill to 100kph in just 3.2 seconds and has an independently verified top speed of 322kph.
While for those that want something as practical as it is potent, the latest iteration of the VelociRaptor, HPE’s take on the Ford F-150 pickup will also be making its debut.
Like the Mustang, its V8 is supercharged, meaning that it can hit 60mph from standstill in just 4.9 seconds, and thanks to upgraded suspension, heavy duty bumpers and skid plates should be able to take that acceleration and power (650hp) from the track to the field.
“I’ve been coming to the SEMA Show for the past 24 years and I’m more excited than ever to share our latest and greatest vehicles,” said Hennessey. “From wild to mild, our special cars and trucks continue to deliver a driving experience of the highest order.”
Keyword: Hennessey hypercar heading to SEMA