Hennessey Venom GT manages the fastest speed ever for a production car with manual transmission
Published on Dec 03, 2025 at 5:18 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Dec 03, 2025 at 5:22 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
While the manual transmission might soon become a thing of the past, the Hennessey Venom GT supercar has proved it still has some life left in it.
The supercar became the fastest production car ever to have a manual transmission, amidst a world of automatics and semi-automatics.
With good old-fashioned V8 power under the hood and a design based on a Lotus, the Venom GT is a truly superb car.
And it’s proving the manual transmission is still a force to be reckoned with.
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The Hennessey Venom GT has an outrageous level of speed
It’s little wonder the Venom GT is so fast considering what’s under the hood.
Hennessey gave the supercar a modified twin-turbocharged version of the Chevrolet LS7 7.0-liter V8 engine.
Thanks to the modifications, the supercar makes 1,244hp and 1,155lb-ft of torque.
It also comes with three power settings, allowing you to use either 800hp, 1,000hp, or the full 1,244hp.
Of course, making the car a dream for enthusiasts is the transmission.
The Venom GT has the same Ricardo six-speed manual found in the original Ford GT.
Plus, thanks to the extensive use of carbon fiber, the car weighs just 2,743lbs.
All this means the Venom GT can launch itself to a stunning top speed of 270.49mph (435kmh).
Based on the Lotus Elise, but taken in a new direction
Hennessey took the Lotus Elise as the basis for the supercar.
This was at a time when their budget was smaller than it is today.
With its new Venom F5, the company was able to build the car all-new from the ground up.
The superb chassis and lightness of the Elise are what prompted Hennessey to choose it as its starting point.
Some Lotus parts, such as the roof and doors, did make it onto the Venom GT.
The chassis did need to be heavily modified to fit in what Hennessey wanted, such as the large V8 engine.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the car is its manual transmission, proving that manuals still have a place in the world.
Any car with a manual that can go up to 270mph is an instant automotive icon.
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Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
