Hennessey

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 29, 2022

Hennessey Races Its VelociRaptor 400 Against The Ford Bro...

Hennessey proves its penchant for performance. The Hennessey VelociRaptor 400 Bronco is a celebrated off-road icon turned into a performance powerhouse. Using the Bronco’s 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, Hennessey is able to muster 400 horsepower and 503 lb/ft of torque, which is plenty for the Bronco to perform and be incredibly fun to drive in a number of situations, on the asphalt and otherwise. However, its main rival is Ford’s own Bronco Raptor, a version of the Bronco whose 3.0-liter V6 engine boasts 418 horsepower and 441 lb/ft of torque. The demand for the Bronco Raptor is high with long waiting lists for the SUV, and in the midst of this, Hennessey pitted its VelociRaptor 400 Bronco against the Ford Bronco Raptor to prove its worth as a viable alternative to Ford’s own Bronco flagship. MUST READ: Watch A Hennessey Venom 1000 Go 192 MPH With A Christmas Tree On Top Despite a smaller engine displacement and lower power, the Hennessey VelociRaptor 400 Bronco was able to beat the Ford Bronco Raptor in 3 separate races, one from a standstill, one with a 20-mph rolling start, and one off road. Due to the advantage in torque, the VelociRaptor was able to get off the line much easier, getting ahead of the Ford Bronco Raptor. Other advantages include the fact that as long as you opt for the 2.7-liter V6 engine, owners can choose from any trim package available for the Bronco before having it converted into a Hennessey VelociRaptor 400, and the fact that Hennessey offers the powerful SUV with a warranty. If you want a powerful Ford Bronco, Hennessey demonstrates that you can get behind the wheel of a VelociRaptor 400 faster, and drive it faster, too. View All Vehicles For Sale From Hennessey Source: Hennessey

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 22, 2022

Watch A Hennessey Venom 1000 Go 192 MPH With A Christmas ...

Hennessey celebrates the holidays the way it knows how: by driving fast. There seems to be no limit to Hennessey’s quest for the ultimate automotive performance, with even some of the most celebrated performance cars, like the Ford Mustang GT500 reaching the next level with the Texas-based manufacturer’s upgrades. One of the most potent resulting vehicles is the Hennessey Venom 1000 Mustang GT500, fitted with a 2.65-liter supercharger and lots of accompanying upgrades to come up to 1,000 horsepower and 850 lb/ft of torque. In this very special season, the incredible car got to take part in a high-octane Hennessey holiday tradition: the annual “Christmas Tree Run.” MUST READ: The New 2023 Hennessey VelociRaptoR 1000 Upgrades The Raptor R’s Output By 40% With a lit Frasier Fir tree strapped to the roof, the Hennessey Venom 1000 Mustang, finished in a rare and holiday-appropriate Eruption Green paintwork took to the Continental Tire Proving Grounds in Texas and went all-out, eventually reaching 192 mph, a record for the Christmas Tree Run. Previous runs include the 2017 run of a Dodge Challenger Hellcat Widebody reaching 174 mph, a 2019 run of an HPE1000 Jeep Trackhawk hitting 181 mph, and a 183-mph run done last year in an Audi RS 6 Avant, that happened to be owned by John Hennessey’s wife. Watch as Hennessey celebrates the holidays with its incredible performance know-how, and enjoy the season. View All Vehicles For Sale From Hennessey Source: Hennessey

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By Tyler Rampersaud – November 30, 2022

Hennessey Congratulates Jason Camper On His Future New "H...

Hennessey fans are green with envy for this car. Hennessey’s Venom F5 Roadster is an incredible performance machine and undoubtedly an example of the pinnacle of hypercar engineering. With an incredible top speed said to eclipse a once-impossible 300 mph, the vehicle is incomparable and simply unfathomable. Collectors like entrepreneur Jason Camper who look to get their hands on the latest and greatest in the automotive world simply had to have the Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster, and that’s why Camper is currently having one made. MUST READ: Makes And Movements: Hennessey Venom F5 x Skeleton Concept Venom F5 In an Instagram post congratulating him on his upcoming new hypercar, Hennessey showed off the unique configuration that Jason Camper chose to have his F5 Roadster finished in. Called the “Hulk” spec, Jason Camper’s Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster will be finished in lime green paintwork with accents throughout in a deep, contrasting blue. Hennessey says that the car is set to be completed in 2023, and as the manufacturer continues its journey to prove the mythical-sounding 300-mph anticipated top speed, Camper will surely have one of the fastest and most unique machines out there. View All Vehicles From Hennessey For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hennessey Performance (@hennesseyperformance) Source: Instagram/Hennessey

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 04, 2022

Hennessey Performance Debuts The New VelociRaptor 500 Bronco

Upgrades deliver a commanding 20 percent boost over factory engine output to 500 bhp. Utilizing the full potential of popular factory vehicles, the Texas-based automotive specialists at Hennessey Performance are back to unleash more power and off-road capabilities from the new Ford Bronco Raptor. Stepping up its factory DNA from Ford Performance, the Bronco Raptor was the answer that Ford owners and enthusiasts were hoping for all along. Hennessey Performance is proud to introduce the VelociRaptor 500 Bronco as the newest addition to its extremely modified fleet of cars, trucks, and SUVs. Starting at the hands of Hennessey’s development team, the VelociRaptor’s 4x4 twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 is upgraded with a new high-capacity intercooler, proprietary engine management system tuning, and low-flow exhaust modifications. This allows the VelociRaptor 500 Bronco to achieve nearly 20 percent more power, delivering over 500 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque to its sophisticated all-wheel-drive system. MUST-READ: Hennessey Shows Off Its 850-Horsepower Ford Mustang GT530R On The Track While the heart of the beast is dialed in for any adventure, Hennessey Performance redesigns the Bronco Raptor with custom VelociRaptor bumpers, unique Hennessey 10-spoke alloy wheels, Hennessey Heritage graphics, and VelociRaptor 500 Bronco badging. The new VelociRaptor 500 Bronco comes available as part of a limited 200-chassis production series, with professional installation, chassis dyne tuning/road testing, and a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty provided by Hennessey Performance. Available for international shipping, the new Hennessey VelociRaptor 500 Bronco is available now through authorized Ford retailers or directly from Hennessey. View all Hennessey Performance’s inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and automotive news. VIEW HENNESSEY PERFORMANCE INVENTORY Hennessey Performance

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 22, 2022

Hennessey Specialty Vehicles Announces A New Showroom In ...

The powerful Hennessey Venom F5 will now have a forever home in sunny South Florida. When it comes to American hypercar development, the performance professionals at Hennessey Specialty Vehicles take the lead as a Texas-based manufacturer proud to push the boundaries of speed and design. Alongside modifying Ford, RAM, Dodge, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Jeep vehicles, the brand focuses on building the world’s fastest production cars from the ground up. Its most recent track weapon is the Hennessey Venom F5, a completely sold-out limited production series responsible for generating over 1,817 horsepower from its 6.6-Liter Twin-Turbocharged ‘Fury’ V8 engine. Founder John Hennessey and his passionate team are excited to announce its new partnership with Warren Henry Auto Group, bringing the power of Hennessey Specialty Vehicles to North Miami, Florida. MUST-READ: The New Hennessey Velociraptor 600 6×6 Is A 558-HP 6-Wheel Truck Warren Henry Auto Group was founded in 1976 and is considered to be one of the most longstanding automotive dealerships in Florida, building its reputation on quality, community support, and employee appreciation. Alongside offering its clientele the opportunity to acquire a model from Hennessey, the dealer group also carries a variety of vehicle brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover, Infiniti, Audi, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Koenigsegg, Toyota, Ford, Lincoln, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, Icon, and Vespa. South Florida is home to some of the world’s most discerning and renowned car collectors, making the addition of Hennessey Specialty Vehicles more convenient for current and potential owners. View Hennessey Special Vehicle’s inventory on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and automotive news. VIEW ALL HENNESSEY SPECIALTY VEHICLE INVENTORY Source: Hennessey Specialty Vehicles

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By Tyler Rampersaud – September 07, 2022

Jay Leno And Post Malone Drive The New Hennessey Venom F5...

Hennessey takes on the challenge of impressing two auto aficionados. When it comes to pure performance, Hennessey is an expert brand when it comes to delivering speed, power, and engineering that defies the laws and pushes the boundaries of the automotive world of the present, and the new Hennessey Venom F5 is currently the best example. Powered by Hennessey’s “Fury” V8 engine, the Venom F5 boasts 1,817 horsepower and has its sights set on achieving speeds of more than 300 mph. It’s one of the greatest engineering feats in the automotive industry, and one of the world’s greatest performance cars, and comedian and prolific car collector Jay Leno got behind the wheel of the incredible hypercar, and accompanying him was another famous car enthusiast. MUST READ: Post Malone Car Collection That celebrity is rapper Post Malone, owner of quite the car collection, and the pair got to experience the mind-blowing performance of the Hennessey Venom F5, and in turn, the pinnacle of American automotive performance. There’s no doubt that they both enjoyed the car, and to watch them do so, the review will be on the Jay Leno’s Garage show on CNBC and the Peacock streaming service in a week on September 14 at 7 pm. View All Hennesseys For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hennessey Performance (@hennesseyperformance) Source: Instagram/Hennessey

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 26, 2022

The New Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster Will Debut In Europe ...

Europe is getting a taste of the highest of American performance. Whether it involves tuning and upgrading cars or building its own, Hennessey is one of the most prolific purveyors of American performance. At the top of its totem pole is the Venom F5, Hennessey’s hypercar that is embarking on a journey towards going faster than 300 mph, and the Venom F5 Roadster has recently been revealed at Monterey Car Week as the world’s most powerful roadster, and now, Hennessey announces that the brand plans to be bringing the new F5 Roadster to Europe, with the European debut for the hypercar set to take place at the prestigious Salon Prive Concours d’Elegance event, one of the most exclusive automotive events in Europe. MUST READ: Hennessey Shows The New Venom F5 Roadster In Action In Big Sur, California Near London, the debut will happen with an audience of highly interested collectors and enthusiasts who seek out cars that are on the Venom F5’s echelon, whether it be in luxury, performance, or exclusivity. Salon Prive is the perfect place for a car as legendary, powerful, and innovative as the Venom F5 Roadster, and when it does debut for the European market, it will undoubtedly cause quite a stir. View All Hypercars For Sale Source: Hennessey

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 24, 2022

Hennessey Shows The New Venom F5 Roadster In Action In Bi...

Hennessey puts the top down and brings the speed up. Recently, Hennessey unveiled the Roadster version of its incredible Venom F5 hypercar. In doing so, Hennessey made the Venom F5 Roadster the world’s most powerful roadster, which adds a uniquely exhilarating open-air experience to the performance and power of the Venom F5 Coupe. After its Monterey Car Week unveiling, Hennessey decided to show off some gorgeous footage of the car in action at California’s incredibly famous Bixby Bridge, which is not only close to where the car was first debuted, but also one of the best places to drive an open-top car in the world. Stradman's Car Collection: MUST SEE The Venom F5 is a car that speaks to the decades-old desirability and joy of driving a roadster, and the heightened sensory experience it provides, and turns that up to Hennessey-Venom-F5 proportions. With the top down, the driver gets to experience even more of the incredible sound of the 6.6-liter “Fury” twin-turbocharged V8 that is responsible for the Venom F5 Roadster’s incredible performance. The new Hennessey Venom F5 is truly a peerless driving experience that shows us what makes being a car enthusiast so exciting. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hennessey Performance (@hennesseyperformance) Source: Instagram/Hennessey

By Edward Jones – August 18, 2022

Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster Revealed as the World's Most ...

Hennessey charges headfirst into yet another world record with their latest unveiling. The new Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster has just been unveiled and the Texas-based automaker is looking to break even more records with this model. Based on the already impeccable Venom F5 coupe, the new Venom F5 Roadster packs an absurd amount of power and style. Powering the new Venom F5 Roadster is the mid-mounted twin-turbocharged 6.6-liter V8 engine that has been nicknamed "Fury." This engine puts out an astonishing 1,817 bhp that is sent through the Venom F5 Roadster's automated single-clutch gearbox. When you combine that power with the Venom F5 Roadster's dry weight of under 3,100 lbs, you have the recipe for an expected top speed of over 300 mph. In fact, Hennessey is fully expecting the Venom F5 Roadster to become the next World's Fastest Convertible. Between the coupe and roadster versions of the Venom F5, there are plenty of differences. The obvious difference would have to be the new roofline that features a removable panel comprised of carbon fiber composites. This panel can be stored in either bespoke Merino wool travel bag or as a piece of art when it rests on the custom-made pedestal. Another notable difference are the Venom F5 Roadster's aluminum alloy wheels. Each of the seven pairs of spokes were designed to create the image of an elongated Hennessey "H." The automaker has also milled the words "Hennessey" and "Roadster" on the outer face of each wheel as an added touch. "We created the Venom F5 to be the ultimate expression of a hypercar," says John Hennessey, Founder and CEO of Hennessey. "The Roadster version takes the Coupe’s speed, exhilaration, and awe, plus a sprinkling of respect-inducing fear, to a new, truly visceral level that brings owners closer to the Venom F5’s extreme performance. Our 1,817 bhp ‘Fury’ engine screams behind the exposed cockpit, with its roar unobstructed by a roof – it is an unmatched automotive experience." The new Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster price is set at $3 million with 30 examples in total planned for production. View Hennessey Cars For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 27, 2022

Check Out The Brutal Sound And Performance Of the Henness...

Hennessey’s HPE850 upgrade for the Camaro ZL1 is a one-way ticket to ultimate sound and performance. Hennessey’s Pennzoil Proving Ground Test Track is where a lot of great things happen when it comes to fast cars, roaring engines, and impressive engineering. In the performance powerhouse’s latest video, Hennessey shows off a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE with its HPE850 upgrade, which brings the power of the car up to an incredible 850 horsepower, hence the name, and that doesn’t just make the car drive fast, it also provides the much-appreciated bonus of incredible sound. MUST READ: The New Apocalypse Juggernaut Is Apocalypse’s Biggest 6×6 Hyper-Truck Yet In modern times, that amount of power is usually reserved for cars that make use of a dual-clutch transmission, but with the Hennessey HPE50, you get the true driver’s car experience with a manual. With three pedals and a stick-shift, you get to experience the feeling that every true car enthusiast craves of moving through the gears with your right hand and left foot as you pick up speed. With 850 horsepower coming from its roaring V8 engine, this incredible performance machine is sure to keep you on your toes. View All Camaros For Sale Source: Hennessey

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