The Venom F5-M was presented as the world’s most powerful manual-production road car, with Hennessey limiting the model to just 12 examples. But that exclusivity could be somewhat diluted after a report that the same 6-speed manual transmission will also be offered on other Venom F5 variants.
6-Speed Manual Coming to Other Venom F5 Models
CarBuzz spotted a Venom F5 Revolution Evo equipped with a manual transmission during Monterey Car Week and reported that Hennessey confirmed the 6-speed gearbox will be available as an option on non-F5-M variants.
The manual transmission will be offered as an alternative to the standard 7-speed automated manual. The move is aimed at buyers looking for a more visceral connection with their hypercars, although it could leave some of the 12 F5-M owners seeking an explanation from the Texas-based company.
What Still Sets the Venom F5-M Apart
The manual gearbox is not the only feature that defines the Venom F5-M. The car also receives the Evolution package, which raises output from its 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged Fury V8 to 2,031 horsepower.
That combination of immense power and a 6-speed manual places the Venom F5-M in a rare group of modern manual hypercars alongside the Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 and Aston Martin Valiant.
The 12 F5-M owners will also have exclusive features beyond the transmission. The model gets bespoke bodywork and revised aerodynamics, including a unique 55-inch dorsal fin designed to improve aerodynamics at speeds above 200 mph.
Inside, the cockpit has been extensively redesigned around the gated shifter. The car’s limited production run also gives the F5-M a 12-unit identity and collector cachet that a regular Venom F5 with a manual transmission would not automatically share.
Hennessey Says Customers Want Manual Cars
Hennessey said customer demand is behind the decision to make the manual transmission more widely available. Design director Nathan Malinick told the publication that the company’s next year and a half of builds “are all manuals,” adding, “It’s what people want.”
For enthusiasts, the expanded availability could be welcome news. Hennessey has already revealed its post-F5 hypercar, the Blackbird, which will also feature a 6-speed gated manual.
Automakers such as Porsche have similarly expressed a desire to continue building manual cars, but customer demand must remain strong enough to support the business case.
