The relentless pursuit of speed and performance has once again reached a new zenith with the unveiling of the Hennessey Venom F5 Evolution. Building upon the already formidable foundation of the Venom F5, the Texas-based hypercar manufacturer has collaborated with world-renowned performance and aerodynamic specialists, driven by the demands of their discerning clientele, to create what they boldly declare as the world’s most powerful internal combustion road car. This next-generation iteration of America’s Hypercar undergoes a comprehensive evolution, encompassing significant enhancements to its power output, handling dynamics, aerodynamic prowess, and even driver comfort, promising an unparalleled driving experience both on the road and the track.
The development of the Venom F5 Evolution was a direct response to feedback from existing Venom F5 owners who sought even greater levels of performance. Hennessey’s team of engineers embarked on an extensive program, partnering with experts in performance and aerodynamics to push the boundaries of what the hypercar was capable of. The result is a machine that not only boasts staggering power figures but also incorporates sophisticated upgrades to ensure that power can be effectively deployed and managed across various driving scenarios. This dedication to continuous improvement and responsiveness to customer desires underscores Hennessey’s commitment to delivering the ultimate hypercar experience.
At the heart of the Venom F5 Evolution lies the culmination of Hennessey’s long-standing relationship with Shell Pennzoil and Roger Penske, leading to a groundbreaking partnership with high-performance engineering specialists Ilmor Engineering. Together, they have further refined Hennessey’s 6.6-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, codenamed ‘Fury,’ to achieve an unprecedented level of performance and durability. This collaborative effort focused on enhancing key elements of the engine and powertrain to extract even more power while ensuring robustness for demanding use, including potential client endurance racing.
Power and Performance: The collaboration between Hennessey and Ilmor Engineering has resulted in a monumental leap in power. The ‘Fury’ engine in the Venom F5 Evolution now produces an astonishing 2031 bhp (brake horsepower) at 8000 rpm and an immense 1445 lb-ft of torque at 5200 rpm. This incredible output is achieved using environmentally friendly Shell E85 pump fuel. Key enhancements to the engine include the adoption of Precision 76/80 Next Gen turbochargers, the largest mirror image turbos globally, along with Ilmor-designed oval-shaped billet aluminum pistons with optimized profile geometry, extreme-duty billet aluminum connecting rods, lightweight titanium exhaust valves, lightweight valve covers, and larger high-flow fuel injectors. These upgrades contribute to the engine’s extreme durability and enable the Venom F5 Evolution to achieve a mind-bending 0-200 mph acceleration time of just 10.3 seconds.
To ensure that the immense power of the Venom F5 Evolution is matched by exceptional handling and ride quality, the hypercar features a new mode-adaptive suspension system. This advanced system allows the driver to transform the car’s character by selecting each of the F5’s power modes via a steering-wheel-mounted toggle. The system automatically adjusts ride, handling, roll, pitch, and steering responsiveness, enabling the driver to tailor the hypercar’s setup for diverse driving conditions, ranging from high-performance track driving to comfortable cruising on the road. On public roads, the adaptive suspension provides greater confidence when pushing hard on uneven surfaces while effectively absorbing bumps and compressions for a more relaxed touring experience. On the track, the enhanced performance allows for more consistent racing lines, harder curb riding, increased grip, and improved turn-in precision. The new suspension is individually tuned to the Venom F5’s five selectable modes: Sport, Road Race, Drag, Wet, and the full-power F5 Mode.
Aerodynamic development for the Venom F5 Evolution was a crucial aspect of the enhancement program, drawing upon a wealth of data from road, track, runway, and wind-tunnel testing. Hennessey collaborated with renowned Formula One and IndyCar aerodynamicist Dr. Mark Handford to conduct an in-depth study of the car’s aerodynamics. This comprehensive analysis led to a complete redesign of the front splitter, with significant changes implemented to the underside of the car. The Hennessey team also added single dive planes ahead of each front wheel, tire wake deflectors to the underside, and a louvre above each front wheel arch. Complementing the new suspension, a new Gurney lip at the trailing edge of the rear deck spoiler enhances high-speed stability during both acceleration and braking, ensuring optimal aerodynamic performance across the speed range.
Recognizing that some Hennessey customers desire to use their Venom F5 for longer road trips and rallies, the design and engineering team developed a set of ‘Touring’ options. These optional enhancements provide alternatives to the lightweight carbon bucket seats and sports exhaust system, even including the addition of a carbon fiber drinks holder. Following detailed anthropometric studies, additional bolstering was added to the optional ‘Touring Carbon Seats’ to provide greater comfort for extended driving periods. Retaining an exposed carbon back, these new leather-wrapped Touring seats also feature a laser-cut ‘blast off’ design, accentuating the hypercar’s aerospace-inspired interior. The Evolution package, encompassing the enhanced engine, suspension, and aerodynamics, is available for both newly ordered F5 models and as an upgrade for all existing Venom F5 owners across the Coupe, Roadster, and Revolution variants. The cost for the Evolution package is $285,000, with the optional Touring upgrades available at an additional cost. Prospective customers are encouraged to contact Hennessey Special Vehicles directly for further information.
Summary
- Hennessey unveils the Venom F5 Evolution with 2031 bhp and 1445 lb-ft of torque.
- Collaboration with Ilmor Engineering resulted in significant engine enhancements.
- Achieves 0-200 mph in a blistering 10.3 seconds.
- Features a new mode-adaptive suspension system for improved handling and comfort.
- Underwent extensive aerodynamic development with a redesigned front splitter and added aero elements.
- Optional ‘Touring’ upgrades offer enhanced comfort for longer drives.
- The Evolution package is available for new and existing Venom F5 models for $285,000.
Disclaimer: Information provided is based on manufacturer’s claims and specifications available at the time of release. Real-world performance and specifications may vary.
