Hennessey Venom F5 Evolution produces 2,031bhp

What do you buy for a car that already has everything? More. Meet an American-style ‘evo’: the enhanced Hennessey Venom F5 ‘Evolution’, with sufficient output to move tectonic plates.

Probably. Behind the F5’s new bodywork – more on that in a moment – sits an extraordinarily sinister powerplant. Hennessey has retained the 6.6-litre twin-turbo V8 known as ‘Fury’, binned its comparatively modest turbos and installed Really Big Scary Ones instead.

Hennessey Venom F5 Evolution powertrain

Supplied by Next Gen, these are reportedly the world’s largest ‘mirror image’ turbochargers. Look into them and you may uncover the universe’s secrets – or, at minimum, that retreating hairline. The arrangement is said to provide improved symmetry for applications like this one. In the Venom F5 Evolution, it results in enormous power.

Specifically, 2,031bhp: 214bhp above the standard F5. To borrow Martin Brundle’s line, that is enough to power a very decent family saloon. The extra 214bhp, that is, rather than the entire 2,031bhp. That figure would be enough for a modest lunar mission.

It propels the Venom F5 Evo from 0-200mph (0-322km/h) in only 10.3 seconds. The modifications extend beyond the simplistic approach of Put A Big Turbo On It And Pray, too. There are fresh oval aluminium pistons and aluminium connecting rods, lightweight titanium exhaust valves, plus larger high-flow fuel injectors. It is classic, old-school tuning.

Hennessey claims this is the most powerful combustion engine ever installed in a road car. Alongside its headline 2,031bhp figure, it produces 1,445lb ft (1,959Nm) of torque.

Chassis, aerodynamics and touring equipment

Controlling that output is a revised suspension system with adjustable dampers and modes that switch between pre-set ride, handling, roll, pitch and steering calibrations. The available settings are Sport, Road Race, Drag, Wet and “the full power F5 Mode”.

When using that full-power setting, you may need every bit of the Venom’s newly developed aerodynamics and added downforce. Created with F1 and IndyCar aerodynamicist Dr Mark Handford, the package features a vast front splitter that could serve as a snow plough in winter, alongside a completely reworked underbody. The front wheel arches gain louvres, while the rear spoiler deck receives a new Gurney lip.

That is all very well when you are driving at ten tenths around COTA, but how does it fare as an everyday car? A selection of ‘Touring’ options is available, including more supportive comfortable seats, a sports exhaust and, yes, even a carbon-fibre drinks holder.

Existing F5 owners, as well as customers who have just ordered one of the V8 rocketships, can specify the Evo package for an additional $285,000. The more comfortable seats cost extra, although it has everything else, does it not?