On January 21, 2013, the Venom GT set a Guinness World Record for the fastest road legal car from 0–186 mph (0–300 km/h) with an average acceleration time of 13.63 seconds.[2] In addition, the car set an unofficial record for 0–200 mph (0–322 km/h) acceleration at 14.51 seconds, beating the Koenigsegg Agera R's time of 17.68 seconds, making it the unofficial fastest accelerating road legal car in the world.[3][4]
On April 3, 2013, the Hennessey Venom GT reached 265.7 mph (427.6 km/h) over 2 miles (3.2 km) during testing at United States Naval Air Station LemooreCalifornia. Hennessey used two VBOX 3i data logging systems to document the run and had VBOX officials on hand to certify the numbers.[5]
On February 14, 2014, on the Kennedy Space Center's 3.22-mile (5.2 km) shuttle landing strip in Florida, the Hennessey team recorded a top speed of 270.49 mph (435.31 km/h) in a limited distance of 2.3 miles (3.7 km) with the Director of Miller Motorsport Park, Brian Smith, driving. As the run was in a single direction, and only 29 cars were produced (to qualify for Guinness World Records a minimum of 30 cars are required to be produced), it does not qualify as the world's fastest production car in the Guinness Book of Records.[6][7]
On March 25, 2016 the Hennessey Venom GT Spyder recorded a top speed of 265.57 mph (427.4 km/h) at Naval Air Station Lemoore, celebrating Hennessey's 25th anniversary.[8] As with previous speed tests, the run was independently verified by Racelogic as World Fastest road legal open-top sports car. In May, 2016, the Hennessey Team revealed that the car was about 300 hp (224 kW) down on power due to issues with one of the car's three high capacity fuel pumps. Normally, the forced induction 7.0-liter V8 engine in the Venom GT Spyder generates 1,451 hp (1,082 kW; 1,471 PS) and 1,287 lb⋅ft (1,745 N⋅m) of torque.[9]
Specifications
Chassis
The Venom GT has a heavily modified Lotus Elise/Exigechassis. The Venom GT retains many Elise components including the roof, doors, side glass, windscreen, cockpit, floorpan, HVAC system, wiper and head lamps, although the manufacturer is not associated with Lotus Cars. For road use the car is registered as a Lotus Exige (modified) and is not a series production car.[1]
The Venom GT has a curb weight of 2,743 lb (1,244 kg) aided by carbon fiber bodywork and carbon fiber wheels. The brakes have Brembo 6-piston calipers at the front and 4-piston calipers at the rear. The rotors are 15 in (380 mm) carbon ceramic units provided by Surface Transforms.
Drivetrain
Rear view with engine displayed
The Venom GT is powered by a twin-turbocharged 427 cu in (7.0 L) GM LS7 V8 engine. The LS9 architecture incorporates specific design features such as reinforced internal components and additional head bolts with aluminum heads including twin Precision dual ball bearing turbochargers. The engine has a power output of 1,244 hp (928 kW; 1,261 PS) at 6,600 rpm and 1,155 lb⋅ft (1,566 N⋅m) of torque at 4,400 rpm.[1] Engine power output is adjustable by three settings: 800 hp (597 kW; 811 PS), 1,000 hp (746 kW; 1,014 PS) and 1,200 hp (895 kW; 1,217 PS). The engine has a redline of 7,200 rpm.
A programmable traction control system manages power output. Computational fluid dynamics tested bodywork and downforce also help keep the car stable. Under varying conditions on both the road and racetrack, an active aero system with adjustable rear wing will deploy. An adjustable suspension system allows ride height adjustments by 2.4 in (61 mm) according to speed and driving conditions. The car is fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires.
Venom GT Spyder
The Venom GT Spyder is an open top version of the Venom GT. Having decided to order a Venom GT, Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler approached Hennessey in mid-late 2011 and asked if an open-top version could be created. This involved structural changes which added 30 lb (14 kg) to the curb weight. Tyler's was the first of five cars scheduled for the 2013 model year.[10] The car was later put up for auction on January 20, 2017 and was sold by Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona for US$800,000.[11][12]
For the 2016 model year, the Spyder gained 207 hp (154 kW) for a total of 1,451 hp (1,082 kW).
The production of the Spyder was limited to five units with a one-off Spyder being produced as the "Final edition" model bringing the total to 6 units.
Venom GT "World's Fastest Edition" (2014)
The Venom GT "World's Fastest Edition" is a version of the Venom GT coupe limited to 3 units. The model commemorates the Venom GT coupe's 0–300 km/h Guinness World Record.
The vehicle went on sale for US$1.25 million.[13] All three units were sold to customers shortly after their production was announced by the manufacturer.[14][15]
Venom GT "Final Edition" (2017)
A single unit of the Venom GT Spyder, called the Final Edition, was produced to commemorate the car's six year production run and to mark an end to the production of the Venom GT.[16] The engine output is the same but the curb weight has been decreased by 9 lb (4 kg). The car is painted "Glacier Blue" with double narrow white stripes. The vehicle was pre-sold for US$1.2 million before its public debut.[17]
Successor
The Hennessey Venom GT is succeeded by the Hennessey Venom F5, which was unveiled in November 2017; unlike its predecessor, it is a series production car built completely from the ground up, including chassis and engine.[18]
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