The Hennessey Venom GT hit 270.49mph at the Kennedy Space Center on February 14th, thus becoming the fastest production car in the world by beating the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport's previous record of 269.86 mph.
The blistering run took place on February 14 at the 3.2-mile Space Shuttle landing runway at the Kennedy Space Center with special permission from NASA. Taking place on a straight run rather than on an oval or a varied test track like the Nurburgring, this was a demonstration of flat-out acceleration from a dead launch, while still leaving enough braking space at the end of the run to keep it from ending in a very expensive crash.
2014 Hennessey Venom GT Specifications
Performance
0-60 mph
0-100 mph
0-300 km/h
0-200 mph
¼ mile
Standing half mile
Standing mile
Verified speed
Est. top speed
2.7 sec.
5.6 sec.
13.63 sec. – Guinness World Record
14.51 sec. – Hypercar World Record
9.92 sec. @ 163 mph
206 mph
253 mph
270.49 mph
278 mph
Engine
Type
Valvetrain
Block/heads
Forced induction
Horsepower
Torque
Displacement
Compression ratio
Redline
Lubrication
Fuel injection
90-degree V8
overhead valve, 2 valves/cyl
iron /aluminum
twin precision ball bearing turbochargers
1244 bhp @ 6600 rpm (cockpit-adjustable to 800, 1000 & 1244 bhp)
1155 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
7000 cc/427 cu. in.
9.2:1
7200 rpm
dry sump system
electronic sequential multi-port
Chassis
Layout
Body/frame
Brakes, f & r
Wheels
Tires
Steering
Suspension, f&r
Springs/shocks
Ride height
mid-longitudinal engine/rear drive
carbon fiber & composite/aluminum hybrid monocoque-space frame
15.0 x 1.3-in. carbon-ceramic rotors, 6-piston Brembo fixed calipers
Hennessey H10 forged monoblock, 9.5 x 19 front, 12.5 x 20 rear
Michelin Pilot Super Sport; 265/30ZR19 front, 345/30ZR20 rear
rack & pinion, 6-position variable electric assist
unequal-length tubular A-arms, anti-roll bars
Penske 2-way-adjustable coilovers
adjustable; range of 2.4 in.
Drivetrain
Transmission Ricardo 6-Speed manual
Final Drive Ratio 3.36:1
1st gear/max speed
2nd gear/max speed
3rd gear/max speed
4th gear/max speed
5th gear/max speed
6th gear/max speed 2.61:1 69 mph
1.71:1 105 mph
1.23:1 146 mph
0.94:1 191mph
0.77:1 233 mph
0.63:1 278 mph