Here's When The Hennessey Venom F5 Will Challenge The Bugatti Chiron

Oct. 20, 2017 3:41 PM ET byMartin Bigg Teaser /41 Comments

Is the Bugatti Chiron about to meet its match?

Just yesterday, Hennessey teased us with a photo hinting that itsupcoming Venom F5 had set a new 300 mph milestone. The company promised an announcement was imminent, so we waited with baited breath. Well, it turns out the payoff was an announcement about an announcement, because we now know when Hennessey's Bugatti-baiting hypercar will debut: set your calendars for November 1, when the Hennessey Venom F5 will touch down at the SEMA show in Vegas.

亨尼西has high hopes that its twin-turbo V8 hypercar will challenge the Chiron to become the fastest production car in the world. Currently, the Bugatti Veyron Super Speed holds the fastest production car record with a top speed of 268 mph, and Bugatti will be attempting a new record in the Chiron next year. But how fast will the Venom F5 go? "I think something in the 290 mph range will be possible," company boss John Hennessey toldTop Gearin an interview. That's a bold claim, but then this is a car named after the F5 tornado, the fastest and most powerful wind on earth capable of gusts between 261 mph and 318 mph. His claims may not be unfounded, either.

Unlike its predecessor, the Venom GT, which was built on a modified Lotus Exige chassis, the Venom F5 will ride on a bespoke chassis, with a unique design and aerodynamic package built around a carbon fiber tub. Power will be sourced from a mid-mounted twin-turbo V8 that produces over 1,400 horsepower sent to the rear wheels via a single-clutch paddle-shift transmission.

Alternatively, Hennessey will also offer the old Venom's six-speed manual. A new photo and teaser video also gives us our first look at theVenom F5 hypercaron the road. It looks mean and menacing thanks to its aerodynamic design, rear wing, and triangulated exhaust layout. The design looks very similar to previous renders, although the carbon fiber rear diffuser has been removed. Crucially, the Venom F5 is nearly 500 kg lighter than the Chiron which should give it an advantage in speed runs. Has the Bugatti Chiron met its match? All will hopefully be revealed on November 1.