Hennessey Special Vehicles, no stranger to superlatives, has done it again, this time with a Venom F5-M Roadster powered by a 1,817 horsepower V8 engine hooked to a six-speed manual transmission. It’s the world’s most powerful and fastest gated manual, the company says, and Hennessey reengineers would know. In addition to its own Venom hypercars, Hennessey creates extremely potent versions of cars, SUVs, and trucks from major automakers, including Ford, RAM, Dodge, Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, and Jeep.
Why build such fast cars with a manual transmission?
Hennessey creates extensively engineered Venom hypercars for drivers seeking the highest vehicle interaction and performance levels. While most of the automotive world focuses on electric vehicle powertrains, Hennessey sticks with internal combustion engines for the sensory immersion its customers want. Other Venom models have semi-automatic transmissions, but Hennessey is building 12 manual versions for customers who prefer a more engaged experience.
In the word of the company’s founder and CEO John Hennessey, “We are so excited to offer the Venom F5-M Roadster – the world’s most powerful manual. We always wanted to build a manual Venom F5 – and it’s something our clients have been asking for. It’s old school, it’s badass, and it offers ultimate driving engagement.”
How does a 1,817 hp car with a stick shift stay on the road?
Hennessey engineers tackled the challenge of transferring the force of nearly two thousand horsepower from a rear-wheel-drive car onto the pavement with a clutch and manual transmission. The goal was to preserve the thrill and stimulation without losing control. According to Hennessey, the answer was to calibrate the Venon’s gear ratios with engine power delivery mapping. The company claims the balance guarantees devastating acceleration while harnessing power delivery.
Hennessey will build only 12 Bernom F5-M Roadsters with gated manual transmissions, all of which have already been sold. Prices start at $2.65 million. Each car will have a unique combination of colors and carbon fiber treatments selected by the buyers.
