THEY SAY: "We are so excited to offer the Venom F5-M Roadster – the world’s most powerful manual. We always wanted to build a manual Venom F5, and it’s something our clients have been asking for," says John Hennessey, the company's founder and CEO. "It’s old school, it’s badass, and it offers ultimate driving engagement."
WE SAY: Hennessey is no stranger to breaking records. Indeed, it seems like no vehicle it builds or modifies leaves the Texas factory without a world-beating tagline. As a result, the company claiming the crown for the world's most powerful manual car was only a matter of time – especially since so many brands have given up on the stick-shift. The manual Venom GT set the world's fastest open-top speed record in 2016, which I imagine this should also eclipse.
That the company has opted to use an updated version of the F5-M Roadster to be the recipient of this new manual gearbox shows what impeccable taste the company and its clients have. No roof means more decibels reaching your ears. With its 'Fury' V8 engine remapped for the new gear ratios and now delivering an utterly astonishing 1817 imperial horsepower, I should imagine it'll send any decibel-o-meter off the charts.
What's more, in true hypercar fashion, there's a gated manual shifter in the centre console to up the mechanical feeling. This is no car for the weak; only Texans could build such a thing. Too bad they're all sold.
Powertrain, brakes, and tyres
Engine: 6.6-litre twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Drivetrain: Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Brakes: 390 mm diameter x 34 mm carbon ceramic discs with bespoke calipers (6-piston front, 4-piston rear)
Tyres: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
- Front: 265/35 ZR19 (19 x 9.5 rims)
- Rear: 345/30 ZR20 (20 x 12 rims)
Performance and weight
Power: 1336kW (1817PS) at 8000rpm
Torque: 1617Nm (1193lb-ft) at 5000rpm
Weight (kerb): 1385kg (3053lbs)
0-100km/h (0-62mph): TBC
Top speed: TBC
100-0km/h (62-0mph): TBC
Safety, economy, and price
NHTSA safety rating: N/a
Fuel economy: TBC
Price (USD): POA
Production: 12 (all sold)
Other
- Twin 76mm Precision ball-bearing turbochargers
- 8500rpm redline in 'F5 mode'
- Double wishbone suspension with fully-adjustable coil-over Penske dampers on all four corners
- Carbon fibre monocoque weighs a mere 86kg (190lbs)
- Officially the world's most powerful manual car
