Hennessey Venom GT

                     Hennessey Performance Engineering is tops in modifying engines. They can take an ultra sleek super automobile, and push it towards perfection. With Hennessey you can experience the best of the best. At first glance, the Venom GT looks like the Lotus Exige. The Venom is an explosive fusion of British flair and American power. The 2011 Hennessey Venom GT received a make-over.

Performance

                               The exterior design looks like it comes out of Bruce Wayne’s or Tony Starks garage, but the car’s road power makes it a superhero in itself. The Hennessey Venom GT has for an engine a 6.2-liter LS9 twin-turbo V-8, similar to the engine on the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 one of the fastest production cars released. Airflow management was initially done on CAD. They used it to simulate airflow to improve the engine and body design.
                               The hood of the car cannot be accessed, although it contains two radiators with fans that help maintain the engine cool. Hennessey stresses the idea that the cooler the engine, the more horsepower you get. The car is offered in a mid-engine rear drive power-train with horsepower ranging from 725 to 1200. The drive train is provided by a Ricardo 6 speed transmission. The shifter is patterned after the Lotus, but upcoming models will see a switch to the Ford GT styled shifter.
                               Rumors abound that the Hennessey Venom GT has either tied or broken the record of the Bugatti Veyron Super Sports record of 267 mph. We have yet to hear from reliable sources to make the record official.

Exterior & Interior

The size of the Venom GT is smidge bigger than the Lotus Exige. The Hennessey Venom GT retains the Exige’s lightweight stylings. The carbon fiber material used on the Venom GT contributes to its lightweight physique. The math is easy: less weight is equivalent to better performance. Founder John Hennessey said that what he wanted to make was a car that all about performance, he didn’t want to worry about interior styling’s. Most of the cars weight is the engine. The Hennessey Venom GT was built from scratch putting in the best components from brains to brawn of American engineering.

The adjustable rear wing provides added aerodynamic performance when needed. The body is built to withstand force produced by vehicles that produce 1500 horsepower or more. The wheels are equipped with brake calipers made by Brembo which provide excellent traction control. Test drivers have commented that the chassis is rigid but firm, making the ride smooth and easy on the body. The smooth response of the Venom after making turns make the transition easy on both the vehicle and driver, it just helps prove it to be just as advertised, a supercar.

Currently, the new Venom GT has yet to be given permission to be driven on US streets and highways. Most of the testing and showing of this car have been across the pond in the UK.

 

The simplicity of the interior is just that, it contains the necessary instrumentation accessories to ride the Venom GT with confidence. The Venom has a built-in roll cage providing protection to both driver and passenger. Alcantara leather lines the inside of this supercar, from the panels, seating, and the steering wheel. Giving it a more than a muscle car look. It does have AC, AM/FM radio, and yes even a docking station for those with iPods. An added feature is the removable steering wheel to aid taller folks easier access getting in and out of the car.

The Competition

The Hennessey Venom GT has few peers, some try to come close but few do. During a “shoot-out” in 2007 to find out who reached the 200 mph barrier the fastest, the predecessor of this current Venom, the Hennessey Venom 1000 twin turbo found itself stacked up against the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, Lamborghini Murcielago, Corvette Lingenfelter, the Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren, and the Ruft RT12. Only four vehicles made the final attempt, and the Hennessey Venom 1000 had the best record at 20.3 seconds in reaching the 200 mph mark, followed by the Veyron at 24.2 seconds, then the Lingenfelter Corvette at 26.5 seconds, and finally the Ruft Rt12 at 35.5.

The 2011 Hennessey Venom GT with 725 horsepower is priced considerably less than the 1,200HP version. Total production of the car is limited to 29, with only 10 units made per year. For 2012, only 5 vehicles will be made, they require a lead time of six months to build one unit.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Super Car

Base Price: $950,000.00 

Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.5 gallons (70 liters)  

Body Material: Carbon Fiber Composite

Dimensions

Length: 183.2 in. (465.5 cm) Width: 77.1 in. (196 cm) Wheel Base: 110.2 in. (280 cm) Curb Weight: 2685 lbs (1220 kg) Luggage Capacity: NA Maximum Seating: 2 people

 Performance

Engine: 6.2-liter LS9 V8 Twin Turbo	Compression Ratio: 8.8: 1
Horsepower: 725 to 1200 HP	RPM: 6500 RPM
Torque: 1155 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm	Transmission: Ricardo 6-Speed Manual
Front Wheel Size: 9.5” x 20”	Rear Wheel Size: 12.5” x 20”
0-60 mph: 2.5 seconds	1/4 Mile: 9.9 seconds
0-200 mph: 15.9 seconds	Est. Maximum Speed: 275 mph (442.4 kmh)

Bugatti Verona Super Sport

Have you ever felt like saying “I feel the need, the need for speed!” The 2011 Bugatti Verona Super Sport gives you just that.

The fastest production, road legal vehicle in the world made its American debut on August 2010 at the Pebble Beach Concourse. This new offering from Bugatti went into production towards the end of 2010. The first five cars that came off the line has been sold as a limited “World Record Editions.” At a cost of over 2.4 million dollars (2.08 million Euros at time of purchased) each, the first five immediately sold out. This World Record Edition is a replica of the car that clocked 267.9 miles per hour at Volkswagen's Esra-Lessien test tracks in Germany.

The conditions were perfect when the new Bugatti Veyron Super Sport broke the record. SSC Ultimate Aero previously set the 256 mph record in 2007, in order to better the earlier Bugatti Veyron, but then, Bugatti came back with a vengeance by beating the record by at least 11mph.
Bugatti Automobiles SAS and the Volkswagen Group led the design and development of the Veyron. Hartmut Warkuss is the chief designer, while Jozef Kabaň of Volkswagen is responsible for its exterior design. In naming this outstanding vehicle, they have combined two giants in the car industry, Pierre Veyron and Ettore Bugatti.
Italian Ettore Bugatti founded his automobile company in 1909. Bugatti’s vehicles were much in demand for its engineering and stylish lines and finish. Story has it that only a select number of people had the privilege of owning a Bugatti, you were royalty or high up in the social class to own one. One other distinction Bugatti has is that it won the first ever Monaco Grand Prix.
Pierre Veyron, a Frenchman, was a racing driver that won the 1939 Le Mans 24 Hour race driving a Bugatti made vehicle.

Performance

The Veyron Super Sport gets its power from a 16 cylinder engine helped by 4 bi-turbochargers with a displacement of 487.8 cu in. Because each cylinder has four valves, this means the Veyron SS has a total of 64 valves. The engine configuration is that same as combining two V8 engines which make it look like a W than a V. This generates a total of 1200 horsepower, nearly 200 hp more that the previous model.
It uses a dual-clutch direct-shift gearbox that is computer controlled automatic having seven gear ratios. The gear box is built by Ricardo of England. Given the opportunity, you can either drive the Veyron SS in fully automatic or semi-automatic mode. To replace a transmission on this car will cost you $172,000.00 dollars.
Another feature in the Bugatti Veyron SS that makes it stand out is that it uses ten radiators, which help to keep the car cool after generating all that heat and speed. One radiator each for the engine oil, differential oil, transmission oil, and the AC system; at the same time there are three radiators each for the engine and the inter-coolers. Michelin designed special tires to meet the specs for which the Veyron was designed, high speeds. When replacing a set of tires for the Veyron SS, it costs $ 36,000.00 for a set of four.
Braking for the Veyron SS is made by SGL Carbon, which is a carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide composite disc. This type of brakes is suitable for less brake fading which works best for the Bugatti Veyron.
The Bugatti hits 0-62 mph in less than 3 seconds at 2.4 seconds. The progression in hitting given metrics for the Veyron SS include 150mph at 10 second, 186 mph at under 15 seconds, and in less than a minute, you could be going as fast as 245 mph.

When attempting to drive this car at top speeds, the driver must put it in top speed mode through the use of a special key. Once you have toggled the top speed key, you go through a checklist to prepare both driver and car to make a run at a top speed. The car dips down to a ground clearance of 2.6 inches, spoilers in the rear retract, and the front air diffusers are shut, then off you go.

Exterior

The body design by Jozef Kabaň includes the use of carbon fiber material which has been refined to improve aerodynamic efficiency. The entire body of is made of all-carbon monococque which provides added torsion rigidity. This also contributes to a lighter Bugatti Veyron which saves about 110 lbs. The silhouette of the Veyron SS is unmistakably sleek and sporty. Two NACA ducts located on the roof help deliver air into the engine at the same time giving it a certain appeal.
The signature “horseshoe grille” remains unchanged at the front. Reshaped, expanded front air intakes provide for added elegance surrounding the wheel arch. The rear looks much sportier mainly due to the twin diffuser which matches nicely with the centralized exhaust system.

Interior

Exquisite. This one word says it all for this latest from Bugatti. True to its reputation, the simplicity in which the seats are designed hugs both driver and passenger in safety. There aren’t many bells and whistles inside, simple and direct to the point. The instrument panel has everything the driver needs. You can select your own type of upholstery for the seats and even add a monogram of your initials to it. It is very much like a cockpit of an airplane. The insignia of Bugatti, EB, is evident throughout the vehicle, inside and out, not that you will, but this is a reminder for the driver, the car he or she is driving.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Super Car                                              Base Price: $2,400,000.00

 Fuel Tank Capacity: 25 gallons (94.6 liters)                Miles Per Gallon: 8 city / 13 hwy

Dimensions

Length: 175.7 in. (446 cm)	Width: 78.7 in. (199.8 cm)
Height: 47.4 in. (120 cm)	Curb Weight: 4486 lbs (2035 kg)
Wheel Base: 106.7 in. (271 cm)	Ground Clearance: 4.9 in. (12.5 cm)
Luggage Capacity: NA	Maximum Seating: 2 people

Performance

Engine: 8.0L W16-Cylinder, 64v DOHC Quad Turbocharger	Displacement: 7993 cc
Horsepower: 1200 HP	Max RPM: 6400 RPM
Torque: 1106 lb-ft	Transmission: 7-Speed Dual Clutch direct-shift Auto
0-60 mph: 2.40 seconds	1/4 Mile: 10.2 seconds @ 142.9 mph
0-100 mph: 5.00 seconds	Maximum Speed: 268 mph (431 kmph)