It sure has bite
Texas-based performance brand Hennessey has revealed a bare carbon version of the new Venom F5 Revolution Roadster, an open-top petrol-powered hypercar boasting 1,817bhp and an equally wild pricetag of $3m (£2.4m).
The Revolution Roadster is based on the Venom F5 Revolution Coupé launched last year and shares a focus on track times, rather than ultimate top speeds, with advanced bodywork for extra downforce.
The American manufacturer claims the open air version has been “comprehensively re-engineered” from its coupé sibling, although it comes with many of the same aerodynamic upgrades.
Aero upgrades for fast lap times
The limited-edition Revolution Roadster features removable panel roof made of rigid carbon-fibre composites. Although it’s fully insulated and lined with Alcantara upholstery, the roof weighs just 8kg and can be removed or installed by just one person, according to Hennessy, using the four quick-release bolts and two latches.
Otherwise, the Revolution Roadster looks much the same as its Venon F5 Revolution sibling, with big front and rear aerodynamic add-ons, a massive rear wing and ‘dive planes’ on the front. It also gets the high-mounted air scoop that feeds air to the enormous engine.
And as with the “regular” Venon F5, the Revolution Roadster gets a 6.6-litre, twin-turbocharged “Fury” V8 petrol engine, which produces a gigantic 1,817bhp. That mighty powerplant is on display through a tempered glass engine viewing window.
While official acceleration times have yet to be recorded the Revolution Roadster is expected to come close to the Venom F5’s astonishing figures of 0-62mph in 2.6sec and 0-124mph in 4.7sec.
It is also expected to closely match the Revolution Coupé’s top speed of around 250mph. Admittedly, that’s slower than the standard car’s flat-out speed of more than 300mph, but the Revolution cars are built for lap times, rather than straight-line speed. To that end, the Revolution Roadster is advertised as offering “improved agility, uncompromised handling and higher downforce” compared with a standard Venom F5 Roadster.
As if to accentuate this, five of the 12 examples Hennessey will build will come in bare carbon form – an even more exclusive special edition. Each individually commissioned hypercar in this limited edition gets a hand-placed carbon-fibre weave in a herringbone pattern designed to accentuate the car’s lines. A polished clearcoat protects the exposed composite, while there’s also bright opaque paint that offers a bit of visual contrast.
The first of those cars will be revealed at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, as part of the Monterey Car Week in America, which also includes the Pebble Beach concours.
“The new Venom F5 Revolution Roadster combines our track-focused hypercar with an open top for an unmatched visceral driving experience,” said Hennessey’s founder and CEO, John Hennessey.
“This first example, a bespoke build for a special client, debuts our bare carbon finish with its meticulous handcrafted exposed carbon-fibre weave. Our hypercar is a timeless work of art that is as visually inspiring as it is physically engaging, thanks to its 1,817bhp combustion-only twin-turbocharged V8.”
The Revolution Roadster one of a number of high end cars set to be revealed at Monterey Car Week, which kicks off on Friday, August 11. Aston Martin has already confirmed it will show off a new model at the event, while Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina is planning to display its Pura Vision SUV concept.
A special Bugatti Chiron is also expected, along with a race-orientated Maserati MC20 derivative called the MCXtrema.
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Keyword: Hennessey Venom F5 Revolution Roadster has a V8 engine producing 1,817bhp