25-02-2025
Is Hennessey Trying to Build Its Own Mustang GTD?
There's a new pony car rolling out of the Hennessey Performance facility in Texas. It's called the Super Venom Mustang, and the shop says it's meant to commemorative the company's 1991 founding. It's sold in super-low numbers, has gobs of horsepower, and boasts a track-focused carbon fiber aerodynamic package, too. All of which makes us wonder... is this Hennessey's version of the Nurburgring-smashing Ford Mustang GTD?
On paper, it certainly sounds that way. The Super Venom makes 850 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, which Hennessey points out that those are boosts of 70 and 55 percent respectively over the stock Mustang Dark Horse the car is based on. It's worth noting that those numbers are slightly above and below the Mustang GTD's horsepower and torque, company achieves those figures mostly through forced induction. A supercharger sits atop the intake plenum and gets paired up with high-flow fuel injectors, a high-flow fuel pump, a high-flow air intake, and custom engine mapping to keep everything safe. (Notably, Hennessey doesn't mention any internal changes to the 5.0-liter V-8.) All of it enables the Super Venom to go from 0-60 mph in just 3.2 seconds, the shop says, and on through the quarter-mile in 10.9.
Normally, Hennessey focuses primarily on straight-line performance, but in the Super Venom, it pulls out all the stops. This car boasts a ton of unique carbon fiber both outside and in. Some of it, such the fender louvers, mimic the design on the GTD — but they're fully functional, too. The cabin is full of unique touches, including a dash plaque, embossed backrests, and tons of Alcantara.
"Over the years we have only branded our most potent cars with our 'Venom' trademark: Venom Vipers, Venom GT, and most recently our Venom F5," he said in a statement. "We are excited to unveil our Super Venom Mustang as it offers supercar performance and can now be ordered directly from Ford dealers with a full warranty! Further, we are excited to commemorate our company's founding in 1991 by offering only 91 units and a unique '91 Icon' livery.'
Notably, each of those examples undercuts Mustang GTD pricing quite a bit. Those who want one will pay $163,950 to start, unless they opt to start with a a Mustang GT instead of a Dark Horse, in which case they'll spend $149,950. That's well beneath the $315,000 price tag of the 'Stang that lapped the 'Ring in under seven minutes.
You Might Also Like
You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox
Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners
The Man Who Signs Every Car
