How the Hennessey Venom became one of the hypercar elites When we think of the many multi-million dollar, rare, and exotic hypercars, we tend to think of European brands like Bugatti, Pagani, Rimac and Koenigsegg. However over the last decade, one of the most recognisable hypercar names comes from the red, white and blue state of Texas. The mesmerising Hennessey Venom. The first generation Venom, the GT, set the hypercar world ablaze with numerous speed records. Most notably in 2014, when at the Kennedy Space Centre, it achieved a frankly unreal 270.49mph. Its successor, the Venom F5, is brand new from the ground up and recently set a speed record, achieving 219mph over a ½ mile in 14.44 seconds. There's now a new variant, the F5–M Roadster, which has a very different approach, particularly being fitted with a manual gearbox. Is this another record-breaking tech-obsessed speed machine or a tribute to analog hypercars long gone? Why has the f5–M gone manual (and lost its roof) Styling-wise, the F5–M roadster looks identical to the standard F5. The only noteworthy differences on the exterior are the rear dorsal fin and the driver being exposed to one billion miles of blue sky. It’s the same story with the interior, the only differences to note are the jet fighter-inspired toggle switches for the windows, the redesigned horizontal air conditioning outlets set above the purpose-built key slot and the most noteworthy change, a six-speed, open-gated manual gearbox. The gearbox is milled from billet aluminum, and the twin-turbocharged 6.6L “Fury” V8 has been recalibrated to suit the new manual transmission ratios. The F5–M Roadster also utilizes the same active aerodynamics as the regular F5, with the rear dorsal fin enhancing airflow. But the true essence of this car isn't about raw numbers; it's about the driving experience. Why driving thrills matters more than outright performance The Venom F5–M Roadster has the same twin-turbocharged 6.6L 1817 brake horsepower “Fury” V8 as the standard car producing the same 1193 lb-ft of torque. The car weighs in at just under 1.4 tonnes meaning 1288 brake horsepower per tonne. Hennessey claims 0–62mph in 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 311mph, making it the fastest convertible manual hypercar ever. But performance isn’t the point of this car; it is the driver experience. CEO John Hennessey states, “Driving the F5 is already a full-body experience that never gets old...That’s why we’ve dived deeper into the sensation of driving, finding every touchpoint to deliver connection, feedback, sound, and engagement...The F5–M roadster will be the most intense, immersive, and extreme driving experience on the planet.” Consider this, the F5–M has no hybrid assist, no electric motors of any kind, nor a dual-clutch gearbox and a roof that can be removed. Its immense power and torque is sent to the rear wheels through an old-school manual gearbox. This results in a drive like no other. This car doesn’t let its driver sit back and immerse themselves in its immense speed, this is a car that demands to be driven. Every input on the accelerator, brake, steering and gearbox matters. It’s a raw, visceral, old-school, analogue thriller where a single mistake is the difference between life and death. All whilst the driver’s ears are deafened by the roaring “Fury V8”. The F5–M roadster’s true rival Only 12 F5–M Roadster will ever be made, each costing over $2.65 million, and all have been sold. There is no denying the likes of the Bugatti Tourbillion, Koenigsegg Jesko, Rimac Nevera R, and other variants of the F5 will most certainly crush it. But none will provide the same experience from behind the wheel as the F5–M. There is one exception, the significantly less powerful Pagani Utopia, which also utilises a manual gearbox and weighs just under 1.3 tonnes. It too offers a raw, visceral analogue experience where driver input matters. Fingers crossed we here at F1rstMotors will bring a comparison test between the F5–M and the upcoming Utopia Roadster. A celebration of the past whilst setting records for the future There’s no denying the Venom F5–M Roadster can achieve 311mph. Back in 2016, its predecessor, the GT Spyder Manual officially set the record for open–top hypercars at 265.57mph. However Hennessey already have the non–manual Venom F5 roadster to achieve that target, the F5–M’s true goal is far more special. The Venom F5–M Roadster is a celebration of hypercars of the past, back when analogue, raw and visceral driving experiences mattered most. In a world where every new hypercar is brimming with cutting–edge technology, outrageous performance and super clever aerodynamics, this analogue, old-school, raw, open-top dinosaur will offer its 12 lucky customers the drive of their life. F1rstMotors Facts and Figures ManufacturerHennessey Performance EngineeringModelVenom F5–M RoadsterYear of Release2026Engine6.6L Twin–Turbocharged “Fury” V8Horsepower1817bhpTorque1193 lb–ft0–62mph (100km/h)3.3 secondsTop Speed311mph (501 km/h)Weight1398kg (1.4 tonnes)Power to Weight1288 bhp per tonneGearboxSix-speed, open-gated manual gearboxDriven WheelsRear Wheel DriveRivalsPagani Utopia, Koenigsegg Jesko, Bugatti Tourbillion Source: Hennessey Special Vehicles
