2011 Hennessey Venom GT official specifications

Yes, that's quicker than the ridiculously quick Bugatti Veyron we drove two years ago. The Hennessey Venom GT is also faster, with a top speed of 437km/h, but we're told this is an estimate. Good luck to the test driver who has to verify it, though because the Lotus Elise-based Venom GT only weighs 1100kg, which means it needs dollops of downforce to keep it from taking off.

That's why this car's aero-package has been completely reworked from the original Elise. Also adding to the insaneness, is the engine. We're talking a 6.2-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 making a ridiculous 900kW and running through s Ricardo six-speed manual to the rear wheels. Oh, and a stupendous 1350Nm. All in an 1100kg chassis. Yes, we're shaking our heads, too. But that doesn't stop us wanting to drive it...

As with the Veyron, Michelin has come to the party, supplying PS2 tyres for its carbon-fibre wheels. Brembo brakes are used, with six-pot fronts and four-pot rears, along with a programmable traction control system, which you're going to need.

There are three variants available, the base model coming with the LS9 engine from the Corvette ZR1, and reworked to put out 540kW. You can opt to upgrade to the 750kW twin-turbo model, or splash out the cash on the 900kW "motion-sickness-inducing" model. The pricing will be US$600,000 for the base model and $725,000 for the top-of-the-line variant.

The good news for us is that Hennessey is looking to set up a dealer network around the world, with Australia being specifically mentioned as one of the destinations for the Venom GT.

Things are finally looking up around here.