Hennessey Venom GT Spyder claims world record for fastest convertible
The updated Hennessey Venom GT Spyder now claims to be the world’s fastest production convertible after hitting a top speed of 427.4km/h (265.6mph).
Hennessey’s claim on another world record was verified by Racelogic, which had officials on hand and a Vbox speed measurement device inside the 2016 Venom GT Spyder.
The Venom GT’s maximum velocity of 427.4km/h surpasses the 408.8km/h set by the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse in Germany in 2013, but is shy of the 435.3km/h recorded by a less powerful 2014 Venom GT coupe at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The Venom GT Spyder’s high speed run took place on March 25 at the 4.7 kilometre runway at the Naval Air Station Lenmoore, California, and the car was driven by Brian Smith, director of the Ford Performance Racing School.
An updated Venom GT was unveiled at last year’s SEMA show in Las Vegas with a more powerful 7.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 located behind the driver and passenger. Thanks to increased boost pressure, the V8 is capable of delivering 1082kW at 7200rpm and 1745Nm at 4200rpm.
Torque is sent to the ground via the rear wheels and a six-speed Ricardo manual transmission. The 2016 Venom GT rides on Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, and is said to be capable of a 0-60mph (0-97km/h) time of under 2.4 seconds and hitting the 200mph (322km/h) mark before 13 seconds have passed.
To celebrate the company’s 25th anniversary, as well as this new record, the company plans to sell a three Venom GT Spyder World Record Edition models at US$1.3 million ($1.7 million) each before tax.
0
