After setting the world record for the quickest production car to go from zero to 300 km/h, the Hennessey Venom GT now snatches the fastest production car in the world title from Bugatti Veyron SuperSport. During a test run at the United States Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore in Central California, the Venom clocked 265.7 mph (427.6 km/h).
That number is verified by VBOX officials who used their 3i GPS-based data logging systems to record the Venom performance.
The record-setting car was a fully road-legal Venom GT riding on Michelin Pilot Super Sport DOT-approved radial tires and equipped with a full interior. Hennessey puts an emphasize on this to keep those voices who may say that the Venom is not as convenient or well-built as the Veyron quiet.
The speed is the result of a 1,244 horsepower and 1,155 lb-ft of torque V8 engine built in the middle of a Lotus chassis. Venom GT delivers a power-to-weight ratio of 1 horsepower per kilogram of vehicle weight. The fact that it’s a rear-wheel drive car makes those records all the more astonishing.
“While a Veyron Super Sport did run 267.8 mph, Bugatti speed-limits its production vehicles to 258 mph,” said company founder and president, John Hennessey. “Thus, at 265.7 mph the Venom GT is the fastest production car available to the public.” Veyron SS top speed testing was conducted over the 5.6 mile long straightaway that is part of Volkswagen Group AG’s private test track located near Ehra-Lessien, Germany. “Afforded the same distance to accelerate, the Venom GT would exceed 275 mph,” said John Hennessey.
