Hennessey Performance Engineering#VelociRaptor SUV/Off-Road Truck

In 2008, Hennessey opened a Tuner School, which is a private institution dedicated to teach and train high performance vehicle tuner technicians over the course of 14 weeks. It is located at the Lonestar Motorsports Park Complex, adjacent to the Hennessey Main Headquarters. All instructors at this education facility are actual performance tuning mechanics.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotrod.com/articles/hennessey-performance-tuner-school-high-performance-education/|title=The Hennessey Performance Tuner School- High Performance Education|date=2019-03-11|first=Zach|last=Martin|publisher=HotRod Magazine|access-date=2020-05-26}}

{{cite web|url=https://tunerschool.com|title=Frequently Asked Questions - Tuner School|last=Hennessey Performance|access-date=2025-05-15}}

File:Cars - Hennessey Venom 650R.jpg}}]]

The Hennessey Venom 650R is one of the first offerings provided from the tuning company. Available as a package to the 1996 Dodge Viper GTS,{{Cite news |last=Shaw |first=Amal |date=19 July 2023 |title=10 Custom Car Builders Making Them Better Than New |url=https://www.hotcars.com/custom-car-builders-better-than-new/ |work=HotCars}} the Venom 650R was one of the fastest road legal cars in the world. Upgrades included a US$37,000 engine upgrade that utilised enlarged cylinder bores, and longer stroke to increase displacement from the stock {{cvt|488|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} to {{cvt|514|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} along with forged steel connecting rods (titanium rods were an extra $3,500) and forged aluminum pistons; the whole assembly was then balanced and blueprinted to bring the total power output to {{cvt|650|hp|PS kW|0|abbr=on}} at 5,800 rpm and {{cvt|650|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}} of torque at 4,500 rpm bumping the compression ratio up to 10.5:1. On the intake, a competition airbox feeds 70-millimeter billet throttle bodies and a port-matched intake manifold. On the exhaust, a set of tuned-length stainless steel headers sent spent gases back to a 3.0-inch stainless exhaust system that retained the stock catalytic converters, but allowed them to be easily bypassed for track day performance. New engine management software increased the idle to 1,000 rpm, disabled the 1-4 skip-shift transmission feature, turned the cooling fans on sooner, and packed recalibrated fuel and ignition curves. Completing the package was the VenomAero carbon fiber body upgrade that reduced weight, added functional brake cooling ducts along with a rear wing and optimized downforce. All of these modifications allowed the car to accelerate from {{cvt|0-60|mph|kph|0|abbr=on}} in 3.3 seconds, complete the 1/4-mile in 10.8 seconds at a speed of {{cvt|130.1|mph|kph|0|abbr=on}} and propel the car to a top speed of over {{cvt|215|mph|kph|0|abbr=on}}. A Brembo race spec braking system and a Penske adjustable suspension system with 30 variable damping settings were available as an option. The total cost of the package stood at US$108,500 excluding the price of a stock Viper GTS.{{cite web|url=http://www.motortrend.com/news/hennessey-venom-659r/|title=Hennessey Venom 650R, the fastest street car we've ever tested|first=Jeff |last=Karr|publisher=Motor Trend|date=1 June 1999|access-date=16 March 2018}}

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{{Main|Hennessey Venom GT}}

File:Hennessey Venom GT (16040233465).jpg]]

In 2010, Hennessey Performance revealed the Hennessey Venom GT. The Venom GT is based on the Lotus Exige and has a twin-turbocharged V8 engine that is rated at {{convert|1244|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. The car weighs {{convert|1244|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} and has a top speed of {{convert|270.49|mph|kph|2|abbr=on}}. Three "World's Fastest Edition" Venom GT coupés were produced in 2014 to commemorate the car's speed record run.{{cite web|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2014/03/25/hennessey-venom-gt-worlds-fastest-edition-official-video/|title=$1.25M Venom GT 'World's Fastest Edition' is so quick you've missed your chance|date=March 25, 2014|work=Autoblog|access-date=March 4, 2018}}

A roadster variant dubbed the Venom GT Spyder was launched in 2012 on the request of Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler.{{Cite news |date=5 June 2012 |title=First Hennessey Venom GT Spyder goes to Steven Tyler |url=https://www.autoweek.com/news/people/a1950136/first-hennessey-venom-gt-spyder-goes-steven-tyler/ |work=Autoweek}} It is based on the Lotus Elise{{Cite news |last=Woodard |first=Collin |date=11 April 2016 |title=Watch the Hennessey Venom GT Spyder Set a 265-MPH Convertible World Record |url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/videos/a28785/watch-the-hennessy-venom-gt-spyder-smash-the-record-for-fastest-convertible/ |work=Road & Track}} and adds {{convert|30|lb|kg|abbr=on|0}} to the curb weight due to structural changes.{{Cite news |last=Adams |first=Lawrence |date=29 May 2012 |title=Steven Tyler Takes Delivery of the First Hennessey Venom GT Spyder |url=https://gtspirit.com/2012/05/29/steven-tyler-takes-delivery-of-the-first-hennessey-venom-gt-spyder/ |work=GTspirit}} The production of the Spyder was limited to five units with a one-off Spyder being produced as the "Final edition" model bringing the total to 6 units. The final edition gained a total of {{cvt|204|hp|PS kW|0|abbr=on}} and was {{cvt|9|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} lighter than the regular Spyder.

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{{Main|Hennessey Venom F5}}

File:Hennessey Venom F5 Genf 2018.jpg

The Hennessey Venom F5, successor to the Venom GT, was unveiled at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 1, 2017, with high expectations of its intended world-beating speed record, having a projected 2.0 second {{convert|0-60|mph|kph|abbr=on|0}} acceleration time and {{convert|301|mph|kph|abbr=on|0}} top speed.{{cite web|url=https://www.autoblog.com/2017/11/01/301-mph-1-600-hp-hennessey-venom-f5-details-emerge/|title=301 mph, 1,600 hp: Hennessey Venom F5 details emerge|publisher=Autoblog|first=Sven|last=Gustafson|date=2017-11-01|access-date=2017-11-01}}

The Venom F5 features a bespoke proprietary 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, making this the company's first in-house engine.{{cite news |url=https://www.motor1.com/news/185382/hennessey-venom-f5-debut-sema/ |title=Hennessey's 1,600-HP Venom F5 Is Gunning For 300 MPH |first=Jeff |last=Perez |work=Motor 1 |date=2017-11-01 |access-date=2017-11-19}} It is rated at {{convert|1817|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|1193|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}} of torque.{{cite web|url=https://www.motor1.com/news/374004/hennessey-venom-f5-horsepower-rating/|title=Hennessey Venom F5 Engine Rated At 1,817 Horsepower|date=2019-10-01|first=Anthony|last=Alaniz|publisher=Motor1|access-date=2020-05-26}} Pennzoil and Shell are partners with Hennessey for the project to help reach the {{Convert|300|mph|kph|0|abbr=on}} top speed mark.{{Cite news |date=1 November 2017 |title=Hennessey Venom F5 World Premiere |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hennessey-venom-f5-world-premiere-300547743.html |work=PR Newswire}}{{Cite news |last=Vijayenthiran |first=Viknesh |date=24 August 2018 |title=Hennessey Venom F5 breathes 1,600-plus-hp of fire from 6.6-liter twin-turbo V-8 |url=https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1118410_hennessey-venom-f5-breathes-1-600-plus-hp-of-fire-from-6-6-liter-twin-turbo-v-8 |work=Motor Authority}} The top speed is claimed to be {{convert|301|mph|kph|0|abbr=on}} through a V-MAX speed-tracking system. Hennessey predicts the car can accelerate from {{convert|0-300|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} in a time of under 10 seconds and {{convert|0-400|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} in a time of under 20 seconds. Only 24 will be built with each car costing US$1.6 million.{{Cite news |url=http://www.venomgt.com/venom-f5/ |title=Venom F5 |date=2014-08-04 |work=Hennessey Venom GT |access-date=2017-06-20}}

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The Hennessey VelociRaptor SUV is a luxury off-road full-size SUV modified from the Ford SVT Raptor. The SUV is limited to 30 produced a year, however since its introduction over 400 versions have been made. It uses the same engine Ford uses for the pickup truck version. The second generation version is a Luxury off-road heavy-duty SUV modified from the 2015 Ford Super Duty Lariat Version, with design cues from the Ford Excursion.

As of 2015, the first generation model has been discontinued. In 2018 the Hennessey Ford VelociRaptor 6×6 option was made available, with a 30-inch extended frame and extra axle for a total of six driven wheels.{{cite web|title = Hennessey Ford VelociRaptor 6×6|url=http://hennesseyperformance.com/vehicles/ford/f-150-raptor/2017-ford-f-150-raptor/velociraptor-6x6/|website=hennesseyperformance.com|access-date=January 28, 2019}}

The Hennessey CTS-V is a 2016 Cadillac CTS-V tuned by Hennessey to produce 1000 horsepower.{{cite web|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2015/04/09/2016-hennessey-cts-v-1000-horsepower/|title=2016 Hennessey CTS-V is properly ridiculous with 1,000 horsepower|website=Autoblog}}

The Hennessey Exorcist is an upgrade package for the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 offered by Hennessy Special Vehicles. The package includes a high-flow supercharger and intercooler providing 14 psi of boost pressure, custom camshaft, ported cylinder heads, upgraded valvetrain with new springs, lifters, pushrods and valves and long-tube stainless steel exhaust headers with high-flow catalytic converters. The cars equipped with the automatic transmission will require an upgraded transmission at the cost of US$9,950. The optional drag pack includes 315/30-20 rear tires, modifications to the drive shaft, floor jack and tool kit for faster acceleration at the drag strip at the cost of US$8,995. The optional road race pack includes a set of 20 inch light weight Hennessey wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires at the cost of US$6,995. The upgraded engine with the standard package is rated at {{cvt|1000|hp|PS kW|0|abbr=on}} at 6,400 rpm and {{cvt|966|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} of torque at 4,400 rpm, enabling the vehicle to accelerate from {{cvt|0-60|mph|kph|0|abbr=on}} in 3.5 seconds, complete the quarter-mile in less than 10 seconds and attain a top speed of {{cvt|217|mph|kph|0|abbr=on}}, {{cvt|19|mph|kph|0|abbr=on}} over that of the original ZL1. The package is available at an additional cost of US$57,455 over the cost of the standard ZL1 for both the manual and automatic versions of the car. The vehicle can directly be ordered from Hennessey Special Vehicles, Chevrolet dealers or the vehicle can be sent to Hennessey Special vehicles by the owners for conversion.{{cite web|url=https://www.maxim.com/rides/hennessey-exorcist-camaro-hits-217mph-2018-2|title= Hennessey Exorcist Camaro Hits 217mph|work=Maxim|first=Dan |last=Carney|date= 21 February 2018|access-date= 4 March 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://hennesseyperformance.com/the-exorcist-hennesseys-answer-to-the-demon/|title= The Exorcist, Hennessey's answer to the Demon|work= Hennessey Performance Engineering|date= 4 April 2017|first=Kenzie |last=Delatorre|access-date= 4 March 2018}}

Hennessey established the Hennessey Special Vehicles division in 2017, in which it builds the Hennessey Venom GT sports car line-up. The division is tasked to learn from its experiences with the Venom GT and apply it to the newest variation, the Hennessey Venom F5, which will succeed the Venom GT.{{Citation|last=Hennessey Performance|title=VENOM F5 - PART 1: ORIGIN OF A HYPERCAR|date=2017-06-19|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26ANu9BTGH8|access-date=2017-06-20}} All vehicles sold under the division are branded as a regular Hennessey model, despite being built by the division.

• Venom GT
• Venom F5 Coupe{{Cite web |title=Hennessey Venom F5 Coupe {{!}} Hennessey Special Vehicles |url=https://www.hennesseyspecialvehicles.com/venom-f5/ |access-date=2024-11-12 |language=en-US}}
• Venom F5 Roadster{{Cite web |title=Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster {{!}} Hennessey Special Vehicles |url=https://www.hennesseyspecialvehicles.com/venom-f5-roadster/ |access-date=2024-11-12 |language=en-US}}
• Venom F5 Revolution Coupe{{Cite web |title=Venom F5 Revolution {{!}} Hennessey Special Vehicles |url=https://www.hennesseyspecialvehicles.com/venom-f5-revolution/ |access-date=2024-11-12 |language=en-US}}
• Venom F5 Revolution Roadster{{Cite web |title=Venom F5 Revolution {{!}} Hennessey Special Vehicles |url=https://www.hennesseyspecialvehicles.com/venom-f5-revolution/ |access-date=2024-11-12 |language=en-US}}
• Venom F5-M Roadster{{Cite web |title=Hennessey Venom F5-M |url=https://www.hennesseyspecialvehicles.com/venom-f5-m/ |access-date=2024-11-12 |language=en-US}}

Hennessey has been the subject of numerous lawsuits and Better Business Bureau complaints throughout the years, with many BBB complaints left unresolved{{Cite web|url=https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15136404/supercars-can-bite-as-hard-as-they-can-run|title=Supercars Can Bite as Hard as They Can Run|first=Csaba|last=Csere|date=September 1, 2002|website=Car and Driver}} and, according to court records, many judgements entered against Hennessey. Jalopnik published an article outlining Hennessey's many customer service and potential fraud issues.{{Cite web|url=https://jalopnik.com/ex-employees-say-hennessey-is-a-bigger-mess-than-you-ev-1778134112|title=Ex-Employees Say Hennessey Is A Bigger Mess Than You Ever Imagined|website=Jalopnik}} Thetruthaboutcars also wrote a similar article where Hennessey stole a customer's money without producing a car.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/06/john-hennessey-earns-crook-badge/|title=John Hennessey earns crook badge|website=thetruthaboutcars}}

• Hennessey Viper Venom 1000 Twin Turbo – Another car tuned by HPE
• Lingenfelter Performance Engineering – A similar company
• Vorsteiner – another similar company, specialising in modifying automobiles from European Luxury and High Performance Sports Car brands such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and more. They also have an alloy wheels division.
• Shelby American

{{Reflist}}

• {{Commonscatinline}}
• [http://www.hennesseyperformance.com/ Hennessey Performance Engineering official website]
• [http://www.tunerschool.com/ Tuner School official website]
• [http://www.hennesseyspecialvehicles.com/ Hennessey Special Vehicles official website]
• [http://www.venomgt.com/ Venom GT official website]

{{Automotive industry in the United States}}

Category:Automotive motorsports and performance companies

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Category:Companies based in Houston

Category:Hennessey vehicles

Category:American companies established in 1991

Category:Auto tuning companies