Hennessey Venom F5M Unveiled: World's Most Powerful Manual Yet
1,817bhp, 1,613Nm, a 6-speed gated manual, and zero driver aids, the F5M proves hypercars can still go fast without a computer doing the work
Hennessey has always gone after the numbers, having achieved 5 major world records. Now, for their sixth, they have gone back to basics; in the era of paddle-shifters and dual-clutch gearboxes, they have gone with a traditional clutch pedal and six-speed shifter, making the Venom F5M the world's most powerful manual production car.
Hennessey Venom F5M styling
The exterior design of the car borrows some design elements from the F5 Evolution series; it also has some unique traits. One of the most eye-catching ones is its roof-mounted air intake, which sits behind the removable carbonfibre roof. Then we move on to the 1.4metre long dorsal fin that extends all the way from the scoop towards the rear end of the car. The fin is designed to improve the aerodynamics at speeds beyond 320kmph according to Hennessey.
The dorsal fin features both the British and American flags, giving tribute to the owner's home country and Hennessey's own roots in Texas.
This particular unit is the first customer commission, and features exposed purple carbon fibre with gold accents and a 24-karat gold Hennessey badge on the nose and Sheikh lettering on the rear. Hennessey offers customisation and personalisation options via the Maverick division.
Hennessey Venom F5M interior
On the inside, the cabin of this particular unit features a unique F1-style yoke steering wheel with a host of dials and buttons, and a billet aluminium gear shifter. Exposed carbon fibre is featured across the cabin along with the gold accents and Sheikh lettering on the driver and passenger knee pads. The digital instrument cluster is visible from the carbon bucket seats, which are for both the driver and the passenger.
The cabin features the F1-style steering wheel and the billet aluminium short-throw shifter.
Hennessey Venom F5M engine and powertrain
What makes the Venom F5M special is what's under the hood: a 6.6litre twin-turbo Fury V8 engine which is mated to a 6-speed gated manual gearbox powering only the rear wheels. It puts out 2,031bhp and 1,613Nm of torque, making it the world’s most powerful manual car. It features active suspension, dynamic dampers and an upgraded chassis. Hennessey has not quoted any performance figures for the car yet, although it has an estimated top speed of around 482kmph.
The 6.6litre Fury V8 revs all the way upto 8000rpm.
Hennessey Venom F5M pricing and availability
The pricing for the Hennessey Venom F5M starts from ₹25.24 crore, excluding Indian taxes and duties, although all 12 units are currently allocated, with the first one belonging to a UK customer and will be making its debut at Goodwood and will be driven by Le Mans winner Alex Brundle