Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster (2023)

Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster

Hennessey Special Vehicles, the Texas-based hypercar manufacturer, has released details of its Venom F5 Roadster ahead of the new car's global debut at 2022 The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering in Monterey, California.

The Venom F5 Roadster is based on the Hennessey Venom F5 Coupe - the two are nearly identical mechanically - yet distinguishing the Venom F5 Roadster from its fixed-roof sibling are several attributes that set the open-air model apart - physically, cosmetically, and emotionally.

Mid-mounted in the carbon-fiber monocoque chassis is Hennessey's celebrated twin-turbocharged, 6.6-liter, 'Fury' V8 engine rated at an astonishing 1,817 bhp. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a robust automated single-clutch gearbox. With a dry weight of under 3,100 pounds, the Venom F5 Roadster promises phenomenal performance... and an engineered top speed exceeding 300 mph.

Hennessey expects the Venom F5 Roadster to surpass the company's own 'world's fastest convertible' record - 265.6 mph - currently held by the Hennessey Venom GT Spyder.

John Hennessey, company founder, and CEO: "We created the Venom F5 to be the ultimate expression of a hypercar. 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."

Most conspicuous is the hypercar's new roofline. In contrast to the F5 Coupe, the F5 Roadster's roof has been re-engineered with a removable panel crafted from rigid carbon fiber composites. The single-piece roof is fully insulated against the elements and lined with soft Alcantara upholstery. The weatherproof panel is secured with four quick-release bolts and a pair of high-strength latches to withstand the hypercar's staggering acceleration capabilities and aerodynamic forces at extreme speed. The lightweight roof panel weighs a mere 18 lbs (8 kg), making removal and installation easy for one person.

Owners may choose to store the panel in a bespoke Merino wool travel bag or as a standalone work-of-art on a custom-made, sculptural pedestal - devised by Hennessey's in-house design team to enhance the ownership experience. The roof pedestal, crafted in carbon fiber like the roof panel, mirrors design themes from the Venom F5 Roadster. Viewed from above, its 'blade legs' trace the shape of the car's rear decklid, while the side profile uses the hypercar's bodyside air intake form for inspiration. In addition, the sharply angled, streamlined stand displays the 'Venom F5 Roadster' script on the front face of the base in the same eight-microns thin aluminum as the car's 'H' nose badge.

The Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster features a new tempered glass engine viewing window. This panel, in the middle of the rear engine cover, spotlights the massive 'Fury' V8 engine in all its glory. Its engineering was no simple task - developed and certified for use in jet aircraft. The sizeable glass panel can withstand aerodynamic forces exceeding 300 mph and temperatures beyond 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (540 degrees Celsius). The detail is extraordinary - the engine viewing window is encapsulated within a removable carbon fiber engine cover that features intricately-milled heat extraction holes that match those in the rear bumper. Additional heat extraction is achieved by dual aluminum air vents, four on each side of the glass panel, which match the vents behind each front wheel.