Yahoo Autos Hennessey Says 1817-HP Venom F5 Roadster Is Built for 300 MPH+
Hennessey presents the roadster version of its Venom F5, targeting it to be the fastest cabriolet in the world.
Its lift-off carbon-fiber targa panel means minimal weight penalty.
The price will be a not-so-light $3 million each, with production limited to just 30 examples.
Monterey Car Week has long been famous for the chance to see some of the world’s most historic and exclusive cars. But the series of car-themed events in northern California serves another purpose: that of being an auto show for billionaires. A place where they can see new, unobtainium-grade models before anybody else, and also buy them.
One of this year’s debuts is the Hennessey Venom F5 roadster, freshly unveiled at The Quail Motorsport Gathering. As its name suggests, this is a decapitated version of the existing F5, which the Texan manufacturer says is going to be the world’s fastest and most powerful open-topped road car in the world. Only 30 will be built, with each one selling for a cool $3 million. By the ludicrous standards of Pebble Beach hypercar unveilings, the price isn't actually that excessive.
The roadster is based on the F5 Venom coupe and shares an identical mechanical package. This is a 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 claimed to produce an astonishing 1817 horsepower and driving the rear wheels through an automated single-clutch transmission. Hennessey says the roadster has a dry weight of just 3098 pounds—just 45 pounds more than the coupe—and that it is designed to deliver a top speed of more than 300 mph, although maximum velocity will be limited when the roof panel is removed.
Top Gets Special Treatment
The open-topped F5 is a targa rather than a full cabriolet, with a lift-out section between the windshield rail and the raised rollover structure behind the seats. The panel is made from carbon fiber and weighs just under 40 pounds, meaning it should be simple for one person to remove or install it. Once decapitated, the roof can be either transported in an ultrasoft merino wool travel bag or alternatively displayed on a pedestal that will be come with the car. The roadster also gets a new viewing window in its engine cover to show off the "Fury" V-8; it sits beneath a carbon-fiber panel in the coupe.
