If you’ve been a follower of fast cars, you’ll most likely have heard of the Hennessey Venom F5, which has, ostensibly, promised to smash a few records. We are talking about aircraft speed numbers in a country that breaks aircraft speed records in the same industry where they design the planes.
Does the Venom F5 stand a chance to hit that magic 300 mph? Let’s jump into what we currently know about the Hennessey Venom f5’s top speed and if this American hypercar has the goods to put itself in the tiny ranks of the fastest cars ever made.
The Hennessey Venom F5: A Quick Introduction
For those who don’t know, Hennessey Performance Engineering is a U.S.-based company famous for making high-performance cars even more idiotic. These guys aren’t beginners in the game. Their previous creation, the Hennessey Venom GT, hit 270.49 mph in 2014, beating Bugatti’s record. Fast forward to today, and Hennessey has upped the ante with the Venom F5, a car built with one goal: break the 300 mph barrier.
But how does this lousy boy stack up against the other heavy hitters such as Bugatti, Koenigsegg, and SSC Tuatara? And what are the chances we’ll see a record-breaking run soon? Let’s find out.
What’s Under the Hood of the Venom F5?
Let’s get down to some basics: what makes the Venom F5 unique?
The car has a twin-turbo 6.6-liter V8 engine that Hennessey, the company, has called the “Fury.” And the name doesn’t come lightly. This engine boasts a power that can churn out an astonishing 1,817 horsepower. An average family car often has a similar one of 200 horsepower. It would probably lap you on the freeway without breaking a sweat, Venom F5.
This, of course, isn’t about what horsepower says. To break the 300 mph speed range, the car needs to be sliced through the air almost like a knife. Aerodynamics plays a vital role here since the Venom F5 was designed to provide a minimum drag and high flow speed.
The car weighs only 3,000 pounds, making it the lightest to be referred to as a hypercar, and it achieves that by using carbon fiber in its construction.
Is More Than 300 MPH Realistic?
Alright, let’s talk numbers first. Hennessey claims the Venom F5 has a theoretical top speed of 328 mph. That should be ample enough to get across the barrier of 300 mph, but can they even do it in real life?
Founder John Hennessey has been relatively candid on the subject. It’s not necessarily a be-all end when trying to get that absolute max speed right away, but shooting for a two-way average of over 300 mph. For those who may not know, most speed records are conducted on an average of two runs in opposite directions to count the wind conditions. While one-way speeds look pretty cool, the two-way average counts when doing official records.
What’s also telling is that this is not some race to beat others. Hennessey said they are locked in on doing their thing, and the results speak for themselves. Whether a team beats them in the future is less important than the moment it happens when the Venom F5 becomes the king of speed.
Competition: Who Else is Gunning for 300 MPH?
While Hennessey is throwing all caution to the wind in making 300 mph, they are not alone on this quest for breaking the barrier. Here are some of the key contenders:
1. Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+
Bugatti made headlines in 2019 when their Chiron Super Sport 300+ hit a blistering 304.7 mph, but only one way, and it didn’t count as an official record to most speed authorities. Even though the top-speed race has driven them to take a step backward, you never know when they might decide to jump back into the fray.
2. SSC Tuatara
The SSC Tuatara has also been in the news, especially after the much-protested run where they first announced to have hit 330 mph, only to be debunked later. Since then, the Tuatara has turned in a verified two-way average of 282.9 mph, with a one-way run of 295 mph in 2022. They are still in the game.
3. Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut
Also, it’s joined by the Jesko Absolut with its theoretical top speed of 330.5 mph. Like with the Venom F5, the Jesko Absolut hasn’t officially been run yet, but we expect great things from this Swedish monster.
The Tires: The Make-or-Break Factor
Of course, once you start talking about going over 300 mph, it’s not just your engine and aerodynamics but the tires that become a critical factor. Let’s face it: at such speeds, tires are under extreme forces that can cause overheating, deformation, or even explosion.
Hennessey has teamed with Michelin to manufacture one-off tires for the job. “If they are ready for what we’re planning, then we’re good to go,” says John Hennessey. I’m still not saying they’re pushing them as hard as they can—there is still scope to do that, though. Hennessey Venom F5 Revolution’s top speed of 300 mph is on the agenda before going for anything higher.
Venom F5 Future Plans
So, when will we see this 300+ mph run? No date has been officially given, but the maker, Hennessey, has revealed they will attempt a top-speed try later this year. One problem they face is finding some stretch of road or runway long enough to safely hold this run. We’re talking about a minimum of 6 or 7 miles of straight highway, straight line clear, to take the Venom F5 out to its top speed and bring it all safely back.
There also are legal and logistical challenges. Outside of Nevada, very few locations in the U.S. permit high-speed testing on a public road, so access to an available private test track long enough for the test isn’t easy. Despite these challenges, Hennessey seems confident they’ll find the location and make history.
Why Is Top Speed Important?
You might think, “So what’s the big deal about how fast a car can go: 300 mph? Nobody’s driving that fast on regular roads.” And you’re right. The chances of hitting anywhere near 300 mph on the highway are about as likely as spotting Bigfoot.
But for enthusiasts and engineers working on these cars, the result of that top-speed run is much more than mere bragging rights. It pushes what is possible in automotive technology to its limits.
A car like the Venom F5 is a break-up point for every innovation that will trickle down to the average production car. For example, aerodynamics, material, and tire development are drawn from the extremities of speed. As such, high-speed projects open up the general notion of making your regular car better and safer.
FAQs On Hennessey Venom F5 Revolution Top Speed
1. What is the Top Speed of the Hennessey Venom F5 in MPH?
The Hennessey Venom F5 is built to be tested and worked upon through its speed, with a high target of over 300 mph. Theoretically, the simulations have indicated a maximum of some 328 mph. So, the company’s goal now is to cross over 300 mph in both directions.
2. What is the Price of the Hennessey Venom F5?
The Hennessey Venom F5 price will be set at around $2.1 million. The high performance and state-of-the-art tech it boasts and its limited edition status due to only several units being produced explain the price tag.
3. Does Hennessey Venom F5 have a Configurator?
Yes, Hennessey has provided a configurator for the Venom F5, so you can personalize your supercar before purchasing it. You can customize the color and interior material, not forgetting the performance characteristics, thus letting the owner personalize every aspect of their vehicle before it hits the road.
The configurator has elevated the purchasing experience to where each car was built for its owner’s specific desires.
4. How much will upgrading a Trackhawk to the Hennessey 1000 package cost?
If you are always wondering how to take your Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk to the level of the Hennessey 1000 performance package, this costs you about $35,000. Add-on transforms this powerful existing car into a 1000 horsepower beast, turning the car into an incredible performer on track and street drives. Prices will vary depending on the dealership and the modifications you decide on top of that.
Will the Hennessey Venom F5 top speed km/h hit 300 mph? The answer to the engineer’s answer is yes to the engine, aerodynamics, tires, and Hennessey’s. All the pieces are in place for this hypercar to break the record, but the actual run remains the last piece of the puzzle.
Whether they make it or fail on the first attempt to cross over the 300 mph barrier, there’s something sure-as-can-be-which: The Hennessey Venom F5 has long been inscribed in the pages of hypercar world legends. And when that record-breaking attempt finally comes through, it will be a ride for us who keep waiting to witness that day.
