All 12 units of the $2.65 million, six-speed Venom Roadster have been built and sold
Former JLR chassis expert Mike Cross once mentioned that it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing that few cars with over 500 hp came with manual transmissions, as the sheer power was already enough to handle. One can only wonder what Cross would think of the new Hennessey Venom F5-M, which packs a six-speed manual and a staggering 1,817 hp (1,842 PS).
The world’s most powerful manual transmission production car is built on the Venom F5 Roadster but replaces its seven-speed automated manual with a true six-speed manual featuring a billet aluminum shift gate. It’s paired with the same 6.6-liter twin-turbo V8, delivering the same 1,817 hp and 1,193 lb-ft (1,618 Nm) of torque. It might sound crazy, but that’s exactly what makes it brilliant in our eyes.
Hennessey hasn’t released any performance stats, but it’s clear that the $2.65 million F5-M won’t match its paddle-shift sibling in a drag race. However, the 12 buyers likely won’t mind—driving a manual is more about the experience than just speed. Plus, the F5-M will still be faster than nearly any other car on the road.
While the transmission swap is the headline, it’s not the only feature that sets the F5-M apart from the standard F5 Roadster. The three-pedal version also adds a massive 55-inch (1,400 mm) dorsal fin, extending from behind the seats, where the roof-mounted air scoop sits, all the way to the rear deck’s trailing edge.
Inside the cabin, along with the new pedal setup and carbon fiber/aluminum shifter, there’s a wider console where the previously vertical circular air vents have been replaced by a pair of horizontally arranged ones. The yoke-style steering wheel, full of buttons but without a top section to obstruct the view of the rectangular digital gauge display, remains a signature feature.
“We’re extreme, we’re authentic, and uniquely American, and these qualities are reflected in the design and performance of the F5-M,” said Nathan Malinick, Hennessey’s Director of Design.
“This car is made for bold, adventurous drivers who want their hypercars to deliver wild power, striking design, and an unparalleled driving experience.”
