Claimed 1,842hp output for Hennessey 'Fury' V8

"Making fast cars faster since 1991" goes the claim on Hennessey's website; they're known for nothing else, really, though it's great trick to have if you are going to have just the one. Hennessey will make you a 1,000hp McLaren, an 800hp Cadillac Escalade and a 1,200hp Corvette, for some idea of how much faster they do. But what if those just aren't fast enough? Well, you'll need a Hennessey Venom F5, all 1,842hp, 1,193lb ft and 6.6-litres of it.

Once upon a time the Hennessey Venom was built using some Elise bits and bobs; this F5 update is one that was first seen in 2014, various claims, updates and promises following in the five years since. Now, nearly two years after the Venom made its debut at the 2017 SEMA show, it looks like the project is making some tangible progress.

'Fury' is the name given to the Venom's engine, which seems wholly appropriate. Once a Chevy LS engine, it's now 6.6-litres, with forged aluminium pistons, an "extreme duty" billet steel crank, Inconel exhaust valves, forged steel conrods, two enormous turbos and all manner of other expensive components. It revs to 8,200, making peak power of 1,842hp at 8,000rpm, with maximum torque of 1,193lb ft delivered at 5,500rpm; apparently 1,000lb ft it available from 2,000-8,000rpm - hell's bells. There's nothing further on the gearbox, so it would seem the seven-speed single-clutch automated manual can take it...

The aim remains the same as it ever did, though: build the fastest car in the world, as the original Venom once was. Of course Bugatti has somewhat raised the bar recently, though Hennessey remains confident: "This is a very important milestone in the building of our all new Venom F5... With over 1800bhp and a curb weight of less than 3000 lbs, the Venom F5 will offer the best power to weight ratio on the market. We plan to begin testing our first car later this year."

Looks like progress is slowly but surely being made, then, as the race to go beyond 300mph intensifies. And given Hennessey's previous form, plus the formidable spec of this car, who would bet against them? 310mph works out at a nice, round 500kph, don't forget...