Pace data will at all times be chased. Larger, stronger, lighter, and sooner goes the mantra. In fact, should you construct it, you might want to check it. As a result of if an instrument check doesn’t verify your claims then, properly, they’re simply claims. However with nice pace comes nice threat, particularly within the realm of hypercars and supercars. Simply ask Hennessey Efficiency.
The Texas-based producer was conducting 0-to-250 mph exams of a brand new aerodynamic setup for its Venom F5 hypercar on Monday when issues went awry. In a social media submit, firm founder and proprietor John Hennessey said that the Venom F5 prototype was returning robust acceleration numbers when a downforce subject brought about the check driver to lose management. Hennessey didn’t present many particulars of the incident apart from thanking first responders and onsite workers, and stating that the driving force walked away “with out harm.”
The Venom F5 “Revolution” Coupe, the brand new track-focused variant of the usual coupe, is alleged to ship greater than 800 kilos of downforce at 186 mph and greater than 1,400 kilos at 249 mph. Hennessey didn’t say which Venom F5 mannequin was being examined, however the driver’s means to stroll away from something remotely near these downforce figures is a testomony to the car’s total power and security. It was probably a harrowing expertise, nonetheless.
Discovering a location to check a car at such excessive speeds was a check all its personal. Hennessey Efficiency normally finally ends up at runways. For this explicit check, the Hennessey crew was on the Shuttle Touchdown Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Area Heart (KSC).
Introduced in 2017, the Venom F5 supplied 1,600 horsepower for a $1.6-million price ticket. When order books lastly opened (and closed) in 2021, every thing had gone up. The horsepower was now 1,817, and the value was $2.1 million. However with a view to obtain its claimed 311-mph prime pace, the manufacturing automobile could be shipped with out airbags and with a “present and show” solely tile for U.S. patrons.
The car’s 24-unit allotment bought out, anyway.
Boasting a 6.6-liter twin-turbo “Fury” V8, the Venom F5 encompasses a carbon fiber chassis and physique, weighs lower than 3,000 kilos, and might go from 0 to 124 mph in 4.7 seconds. Final yr, a track-tuned model was introduced. Additionally restricted to simply 24 automobiles, the Venom F5 “Revolution” Coupe recalibrates the usual coupe’s “Fury” engine and provides different mods reminiscent of aero enhancements, a retuned suspension, new wheels, and a roof-mounted airtake. The Revolution variant will set you again $2.7 million.
Hennessey mentioned the crew will “consider the aerodynamic knowledge to find out the basis trigger” of the lack of downforce.