The name Venom F5 comes from the top wind speed rating shown on the Fujita scale which is used for ranking tornadoes. The Lotus-based, warp-factor-nine capable supercar boasts of more than 1,400 hp, beating the 1,244 hp of its older sibling, the Venom GT. The car also has larger intercoolers and turbochargers. It even has a more potent fuel system which is tied to its 7.0 liter V8.
Other features would include a six-speed manual, racing style single clutch automatic transmissions, and an updated version of the Lotus Exige-based chassis which is currently found in the Venom GT. It will have a curb weight of less than 1,300 kg and heavily reworked aerodynamics to give it more ease in slipping through the tornado-force air.
"We are very excited about this next chapter of the Venom, which brings forth an all-new design that is not only a powerful and unique statement that our clients are looking for, but a vehicle that will achieve even higher performance through improved aerodynamics," said founder and president John Hennessey of Hennessey Performance Engineering. He added the company "learned a great deal during the development of the Venom GT in breaking the 270-mph barrier, and we bring that experience to this new design as we look toward raising the performance bar even higher."
The most notable change is the new F5's styling. Compared to the Venom GT which resembles an Exige that had been pushed through a strict toffee stretcher, the upcoming Venom F5 has a carbon fiber body that looks absolutely edgier and more distinctive.
The current Venom GT tips the 270.49 mph which was observed when it hit the landing runway of the Space Shuttle at the Kennedy Space Center. It's also a holder of several acceleration records that have been Guinness-certified. This would include a 0-186 mph run within the short span of 13.63 seconds.
All these records are set to be broken by the upcoming Venom F5 model. The new supercar is also said to have an optional single clutch paddle shift gearbox. It will have its own traction control system that is GPS-based which will allow the driver to get a pre-arrival track information.
Hennessey aims to begin production sometime in 2015. If plans push through, the results of the production should be able to reach customers in 2016. The price point is rumored to hit $1.2 million. Initially, Hennessy plans to manufacture a minimum number of 30 supercars.
