Hennessey just took the covers off the production version of the Venom F5-M at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK. Forget everything you thought you knew about the horsepower wars. This open-top roadster pushes an upgraded 6.6-liter “Fury” V8 engine to an astonishing 2,031 horsepower. That completely eclipses the 1,817 horsepower output Hennessey initially promised.
And unlike the paddle-shifting competition, every single drop of that power goes directly to the rear wheels through a physical six-speed gated manual transmission.
All 12 examples of this $2.65 million hypercar are already completely sold out as of July 2026. The manual gearbox completely alters the driving experience, turning the F5-M into one of the most powerful manual cars ever built. They upgraded the aerodynamics and structure to handle the torque. The car features a new carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, an integrated roof scoop, and a 55.0-inch dorsal fin designed to keep the rear end planted at speeds exceeding 200 mph. We will see exactly how that aero package handles when racing driver Alex Brundle takes it up the hill climb, according to Carbuzz.
The first production unit rolled out for a bespoke UK collector bearing the family name ‘Sheikh’. This specific chassis is loaded with exposed purple carbon fiber and real 24-karat gold accents, as detailed by Carscoops. It also features hand-painted flags on that giant dorsal fin. It is officially the most powerful manual production road car.
Why the Physical Gearbox Rejects the Industry Trend
Looking at the wider hypercar market, the 2,031 horsepower Venom F5-M only trails two production vehicles on the planet. The 2,107 horsepower Rimac Nevera R and the 2,300 horsepower Koenigsegg Gemera. Both of those competitors rely entirely on automatic or direct-drive electric systems. The broader automotive industry is rapidly phasing out manual transmissions for fast-shifting dual-clutch automatics.
But Hennessey went backward to move forward. While legacy brands are pouring cash into “simulated” manual gearboxes—like the Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale concept—Hennessey opted for a completely mechanical linkage. Building a physical gated shifter to handle over 2,000 horsepower forces maximum driver engagement. You get extreme physical feedback that software simulations simply cannot replicate.