The 2013 Hennessey Venom GT is a “super car” for the ages. Absolutely nothing in the automotive industry today can compare with the sheer thrill of getting behind the wheel of this amazing vehicle.
The Guinness Book of World Records has recognized that the Venom GT is the fastest accelerating vehicle on the planet. But more on that later.
Specifications
| Vehicle Type: Super Sport Coupe | Est. Market Price: $1,200,000 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.7 gals (70L) | MPG: NA |
| Length: 183.2 in. (465.4 cm) | Wheelbase: 110.2 in. (280 cm) |
| Height: NA | Width: 77.1 in. (195.9 cm) |
| Curb Weight: 2743 lbs (1244 kg) | Ground Clearance: 2.4 in. (6 cm) |
| Luggage Capacity: NA | Maximum Seating: 2 |
| Engine: 7.0 Liter V8 | Compression Ratio: 9.2: 1 |
| Horsepower: 1244 HP | Max RPM: 6600 rpm |
| 0-186 mph: 13.63 seconds | Torque: 1155 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
| 0-60 mph: 3.05 seconds | Est. Top Speed: 229.9 mph (370 km/h) |
Engine
The engine is a twin turbo charged 7.0 liter V8. It packs 1244 horsepower or 178 HP per liter. The turbo can be adjusted manually from inside the cockpit to spool the boost in 10, 13 and 20 pound increments.
It’s all about the size of the road you are navigating. The lower setting disperses “only” 800 horsepower, while the middle jumps it to 1000. At the highest level, it feels like you’re shot out of a rocket for the maximum 1244 horsepower.
Performance
The engine sounds as one would expect from this “monster mobile” with a slight rumble when idling. That aspect quickly disappears once the throttle is engaged. The car may appear to be floating on air, even as you shift through the six speed transmission.
This vehicle was not made for a daily downtown commute to work. The shifting is tight and smooth, but you won’t appreciate the quality until you hit third gear. After that, the sky’s the limit, almost.
Interior
As you enter this sports car, the first thing you notice is its integrated roll cage completely wrapped in suede. The second thing, you will feel is its unsurpassed comfort factor given its supercar-ish nature.
The dashboard comes from Lotus with the instrumentation panel being more than adequate to monitor your ride. A deluxe stereo system, air conditioning and bespoke leather completes the experience.
Highlights
On January 10, 2013, a street legal version of the Hennessey Venom GT established a World Record by accelerating from 0 to 186 MPH (0-300 km/h) in 13.63 seconds. The top speed of the vehicle was established at 229.9 MPH.
Two runs were made in opposite directions with the average of the two equaling the record number. The test was conducted southeast of Houston at the Ellington Airport on an 8,000 foot runway. This facility has also been used by NASA for testing in the past. Representatives of Guinness World Records were on hand to certify the performance.
Outside of the official record, additional tests were performed with these results: 0-60 MPH in 3.05 seconds, 0-100 in 5.88 seconds and 0-200 MPH in 14.51 seconds.
Hennessey plans to build only 29 of these, including 10 that have already been pre-sold. It will take half a year to receive your vehicle from the point of sale. Each is built to the customers specification. The price tag is $1.2 million plus shipping, not including options, so if you’re interested, pardon the pun, “pick your poison.”
