Hennessey claims new convertible world speed record

[Express]

Hennessey claims new convertible world speed record



American manufacturer's Venom GT Spyder surpasses previous record set by Bugatti.



Sam Charlwood
12 April, 2016



Wind-in-your-hair motoring just took on a new meaning.

American tuner Hennessey Performance has claimed a new world speed record for a convertible this week after hitting a top speed of 427.3km/h (265.6mph) in the Venom GT Spyder – unseating one of the world's largest car makers in doing so. In a feat verified by a Vbox measurement device, the drop-top surpassed the previous 408.8km/h mark set by the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse in Germany in 2013.



The Hennessey Venom GT Spyder is officially the world's fastest convertible. Photo: Supplied


The new post positions the Venom GT just short of the 435.5km/h outright speed record held by its coupe sibling, the Venom GT, at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida earlier this year.

At the helm of the new attempt was Ford Performance Racing School director Brian Smith – the same driver who set the outright record.

The high speed run took place at the Naval Air Station in Lenmoore, California – a 4.7km runway usually designated for high-powered jets.

The convertible, which is based on the Lotus Exige, features a rear-mounted 7.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing 1082kW at 7200rpm and 1745Nm at 4200rpm. It sends drive to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.

Transferring the surfeit of riches to the ground are Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres which enable a 0-100km/h time of about 2.5 seconds and 0-300km/h time of less than 13 seconds.

To commemorate its newest title, along with 25 years of operation, Hennessey plans to sell three Venom GT Spyder World Record Edition models. Each will be priced from $1.7 million before tax.

Don't expect either Hennessey or Bugatti to sit still for too long though: Bugatti claims that 450km/h isn't outside the realms of possibility for its upcoming Chiron supercar.

See link for video


http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/h...11-go3z6s.html

[mike_nofx]

But can it seat 5 adults and tow a caravan?

[Trump]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

But can it seat 5 adults and tow a caravan?

More importantly, is it better than an Aurion?

[marty351]

Don't know if an aurion is better, but it's damn close.

(From what I've heard)

[falconhell74]

gotta love the aurion I've got a ZR6

[marty351]

Is it faster than a 2015 AT-X?

[falconhell74]

the aurion?
don't know but the stock ZR6 *****$ on the stock XR6 turbo

[Falcon SXR8]

I dare someone to stick there face over the windscreen at that speed

[marty351]

Originally Posted by Falcon SXR8

I dare someone to stick there face over the windscreen at that speed

That's why aurions have a roof. lol