Hennessey Performance Engineering
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | John Hennessey |
| Headquarters | Sealy, Texas , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | John Hennessey (CEO) |
| Products | Hypercars, high-performance automotive modifications, tuning packages, SUVs, pickup trucks, muscle cars |
| Website | www |
Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) is a U.S.-based manufacturer of hypercars and a specialist in high-performance automotive modifications. Established in 1991 by entrepreneur John Hennessey, the company’s main facility is situated in Sealy, Texas, close to Houston.
Renowned for creating the Hennessey Venom F5 hypercar, HPE primarily focuses on upgrading sports cars from manufacturers such as Chevrolet, Dodge, Cadillac, Jeep, Ford, GMC, and Lincoln. Their core business revolves around mechanical enhancements designed to boost engine output and overall vehicle performance.
In addition to hypercars and sports vehicles, Hennessey also customizes pickup trucks and SUVs like the Ford Raptor, Ram TRX, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Cadillac Escalade. Their portfolio further extends to muscle cars including the Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, Dodge Charger, and Challenger, catering to a wide audience of performance car enthusiasts.
Guided by CEO John Hennessey’s strategic vision, the firm capitalizes on its industry reputation and competitive strengths to sustain a prominent role within the automotive performance landscape.
Tuner School
In 2008, Hennessey introduced the Tuner School—an exclusive educational program offering a 14-week curriculum aimed at training technicians specialized in high-performance vehicle tuning. Situated at Lonestar Motorsports Park adjacent to Hennessey’s headquarters, the school employs instructors who are seasoned tuning professionals, underscoring the company’s dedication to expert training and technical proficiency.
Hennessey Venom 650R
The Hennessey Venom 650R represents one of the company’s initial performance upgrade packages, designed for the 1996 Dodge Viper GTS. Priced at $108,500 excluding the base car, this package included a $37,000 engine enhancement that increased displacement from 488 to 514 cubic inches by enlarging cylinder bores and extending stroke length. It incorporated forged steel connecting rods—with an option for titanium rods at an additional $3,500—alongside forged aluminum pistons and a balanced rotating assembly producing 650 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 650 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm.
Performance improvements featured a competition-grade airbox with 70mm billet throttle bodies, a port-matched intake manifold, and tuned stainless steel headers connected to a 3.0-inch exhaust system that retained catalytic converters but allowed track-day bypass functionality. The engine control software was recalibrated to optimize fuel delivery and ignition timing while disabling the transmission’s skip-shift feature. The VenomAero carbon fiber body kit contributed weight reduction and incorporated functional brake cooling ducts plus aerodynamic components such as a rear wing to enhance downforce.
These modifications enabled acceleration from zero to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, completed the quarter-mile in 10.8 seconds at 130.1 mph, and achieved a top speed surpassing 215 mph. Optional features included Brembo race-spec brakes and a Penske adjustable suspension system offering 30 damping settings. This package exemplified Hennessey’s approach of merging advanced engineering with high-end performance upgrades to secure a competitive position in the high-performance tuning market.
Hennessey Venom GT
Launched in 2010, the Hennessey Venom GT is constructed on the Lotus Exige chassis and powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 engine generating . With a weight of , it reaches a maximum velocity of . In 2014, Hennessey crafted three special "World's Fastest Edition" coupés to commemorate the vehicle’s record-breaking achievements.
The Venom GT Spyder roadster, introduced in 2012 at the request of Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, is based on the Lotus Elise platform and incorporates structural modifications that add to its weight. Production was capped at six units, including a "Final Edition" Spyder that delivered increased power and reduced weight relative to the standard Spyder model.
Hennessey Venom F5
Revealed at the 2017 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the Hennessey Venom F5 replaces the Venom GT with an emphasis on surpassing speed milestones. It is equipped with a proprietary 6.6-liter twin-turbo V8—the company's inaugural in-house engine—producing and of torque. Collaborations with Pennzoil and Shell support its goal of reaching a top speed monitored through a V-MAX system.
Performance targets include accelerating from 0-60 mph in 2.0 seconds, 0-300 km/h in under 10 seconds, and 0-400 km/h in less than 20 seconds. Production is limited to 24 units, each priced at US$1.6 million, underscoring Hennessey's commitment to exclusivity and advanced automotive engineering within the hypercar segment.
VelociRaptor SUV/Off-Road Truck
The Hennessey VelociRaptor SUV is a premium off-road full-size sport utility vehicle based on the Ford SVT Raptor, with an annual production limit of 30 units and over 400 built so far. It retains Ford's original powertrain. The second generation, derived from the 2015 Ford Super Duty Lariat, incorporates styling cues from the Ford Excursion. Manufacturing of the first generation concluded in 2015. In 2018, Hennessey launched the VelociRaptor 6×6 variant, featuring an extended 30-inch frame and an extra axle providing six-wheel drive, enhancing its appeal within the luxury off-road vehicle market.
Hennessey CTS-V
The 2016 edition of the Hennessey CTS-V represents a high-performance enhancement of the Cadillac CTS-V, tuned to produce 1000 horsepower. This model exemplifies Hennessey's proficiency in amplifying power output for luxury sports sedans, creating a distinctive presence in its market segment.
Hennessey Exorcist
The Hennessey Exorcist is an upgrade package for the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, offered via Hennessey Special Vehicles. It includes a high-flow supercharger and intercooler delivering a 14 psi boost, along with a custom camshaft, ported cylinder heads, enhanced valvetrain components, and long-tube stainless steel exhaust headers. Models equipped with automatic transmissions require a $9,950 transmission upgrade. Optional additions include a drag package featuring 315/30-20 rear tires and driveshaft modifications priced at $8,995, as well as a road race package with lightweight 20-inch Hennessey wheels paired with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires costing $6,995. The upgraded powertrain outputs 1000 hp at 6,400 rpm and 966 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm, enabling acceleration from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, completing the quarter-mile in under 10 seconds, and achieving a top speed of 217 mph—19 mph faster than the stock ZL1. The comprehensive upgrade requires an additional $57,455 above the base ZL1 price and is available directly through Hennessey or authorized Chevrolet dealerships for both new and existing vehicles.
Divisions
In 2017, Hennessey introduced the Hennessey Special Vehicles division to advance the development of the Hennessey Venom GT sports car series and apply that expertise toward creating the next-generation Hennessey Venom F5. This branch is dedicated to crafting high-performance hypercars, with all models carrying the primary Hennessey branding despite being manufactured through a distinct process.
Special Vehicles line-up
- Venom GT
- Venom F5 Coupe
- Venom F5 Roadster
- Venom F5 Revolution Coupe
- Venom F5 Revolution Roadster
- Venom F5-M Roadster
Controversy
Hennessey has encountered several legal disputes and outstanding complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau, with court documents revealing rulings against the firm. Media sources such as Jalopnik and The Truth About Cars have highlighted concerns regarding customer relations and accusations of financial improprieties, including instances where clients made payments but did not receive their vehicles.
See also
- Hennessey Viper Venom 1000 Twin Turbo – Tuned by HPE
- Lingenfelter Performance Engineering – Comparable performance tuning company
- Vorsteiner – Specializes in European luxury and high-performance car modifications, including alloy wheels
- Shelby American