If someone handed you the keys to a 2,031-horsepower hypercar, your first question probably wouldn’t be, “Where’s the clutch pedal?” Hennessey, apparently, had a different idea. And in the grand scheme of things, we’re pretty OK with that.
The Texas-based manufacturer has unveiled the Venom F5-M, a six-speed manual version of its already outrageous Venom F5. That means one lucky owner gets to row their own gears while trying to manage more than 2,000 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged V8. It’s an idea that sounds completely unreasonable, which is probably why I love it so much.
Making its global debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 9, the Venom F5-M isn’t just another special edition with a different paint color. Hennessey reworked the chassis, redesigned the interior around a gated shifter, updated the aerodynamics, and somehow managed to create what it calls the world’s most powerful manual production hypercar.
Nathan Malinick, Director of Design at Hennessey, said, “Our decision to offer a manual gearbox fundamentally changed the Venom F5. It promoted driver interaction and engagement to the primary focus; it delivered freedom to explore visual presence and aerodynamics in totally new ways; and it enabled a fully redesigned center console.”
“The F5-M is not simply an F5 with a manual transmission – it is a complete design response to a very different kind of driver involvement.“
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged “Fury” V8 |
| Horsepower | 2,031 hp |
| Transmission | 6-speed gated manual |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Body Style | Open-top Roadster |
| Production | 12 units worldwide |
| Starting Price | $2.65 million |
| Chassis | Carbon-fiber monocoque |
More Than 2,000 Horsepower, And You’re In Charge Of All Of It
The Venom F5-M sends 2,031 horsepower exclusively to the rear wheels through a traditional six-speed manual transmission. That makes it the world’s most powerful manual production hypercar, and frankly, it’s difficult to think of a more intimidating combination (i.e., don’t ask me to drive).
Most manufacturers chasing these kinds of performance figures rely on dual-clutch transmissions because they’re faster, more efficient, and capable of handling enormous amounts of torque. Hennessey certainly could have done the same, but instead it decided the experience behind the wheel mattered just as much as the acceleration. For Hennessey’s customers, that makes sense. Most people aren’t walking around with nearly $3 million to spend on something like this, but for those who do, a manual transmission offers a totally different kind of adventure.
According to the company, revised engine calibration and traction control help make all that power more manageable, although “manageable” is probably a relative term when you’re sitting behind a twin-turbo V8 capable of producing more horsepower than many race cars. Even so, there is something refreshing about a company deciding that a hypercar should demand more of its driver rather than less.
Don’t You Dare Say This Is “Just” A Manual Swap
It would have been easy to bolt a manual transmission onto the existing Venom F5 and call it a day. Instead, Hennessey treated the F5-M as a completely different project.
The cabin was redesigned around a beautifully machined billet-aluminum gated shifter that serves as the centerpiece of the interior. Outside, the car receives revised aerodynamics, including a dramatic 55-inch dorsal fin that stretches from the roof scoop to the rear deck. It certainly gives the F5-M a different look, but it also helps stabilize airflow at speeds exceeding 200 mph while directing cool air toward the engine.
The first example, which will make its public debut at Goodwood, also showcases Hennessey’s new Maverick personalization division. Finished in exposed purple carbon with gold accents, it includes a 24-karat gold nose badge, custom interior stitching, and even the owner’s family name embroidered throughout the cabin. It’s all about the details, isn’t it?
Only Twelve People Will Ever Experience It
The Venom F5-M isn’t just exclusive because of its price. Hennessey plans to build only 12 examples, each individually customized for its owner, with prices starting at $2.65 million before taxes.
Professional racing driver Alex Brundle will give enthusiasts their first look at the car in motion by driving it up the famous Goodwood hill climb throughout the festival, where the combination of a twin-turbo V8 and a gated manual should make plenty of noise.
There are faster ways to shift gears, and there are certainly easier ways to manage 2,031 horsepower. That’s exactly what makes the Venom F5-M so entertaining. In an era where technology keeps making performance cars smarter and more automated, Hennessey looked at one of the most powerful road cars on the planet and decided the driver deserved even more responsibility.
That’s a wonderfully ridiculous idea. And somehow, it makes perfect sense.
