Hennessey Performance Engineering is located just a short drive from Houston, Texas, and is known for its expertise in enhancing mechanical components for high-performance vehicles. They work with prestigious brands such as Bentley, Ferrari, Porsche, Chevrolet, and also modify models like Dodge Chargers and Challengers, Jeep Cherokees, Lincolns, and Lexus.

In 2012, Hennessey made a significant acquisition of a Lotus Exige that featured a 190 bhp Toyota engine, aiming to create a truly exceptional vehicle. The result was nothing short of extraordinary.

On January 21, 2013, the Venom GT, now equipped with a  powerful 6.2 L V8 engine from Chevrolet and an astonishing 1,244 bhp, set a Guinness World Record for the fastest accelerating road-legal car. It went from 0 to 186 mph (0-300 km/h) in an average of just 13.63 seconds. Hennessey also unofficially clocked a time of 0 to 200 mph in 14.51 seconds, breaking the previous record held by the Koenigsegg Agera R, which was 17.68 seconds.

Not resting on their laurels, just over a month later, Hennessey took the Venom GT to the runway at the US Naval Air Station Lemoore. With the help of two VBOX 3i data logging systems, they recorded the Venom reaching an incredible speed of 265.7 mph (427.6 km/h).

Less than a year later, on February 14, 2014, Hennessey returned to the Kennedy Space Centre’s 3.22-mile shuttle landing strip with the Venom, achieving an impressive top speed of 270.49 mph (435.31 km/h). This feat surpassed the previous official record of 258 mph set by the Bugatti Veyron SuperSport. However, since the run was conducted in one direction only, it did not qualify as an official record according to Guinness World Records, which requires a return trip to calculate the average speed. Even if Hennessey had completed a two-way run, it still wouldn’t have met the criteria, as Guinness mandates a minimum production of 40 cars, while only 13 Venoms had been produced at that time.

On March 25, 2016, Hennessey introduced the Venom GT Spyder, a convertible version of their renowned supercar. The vehicle was taken to Lemoore Naval Air Station for a high-speed test, but faced challenges when one of its three fuel pumps malfunctioned, leading to a significant power drop of around 300 bhp. Nevertheless, Hennessey persevered, and the GT Spyder ultimately reached an impressive top speed of 265.57 mph.

The Venom GT boasts several enhancements in its chassis, bodywork, engine, and braking system. However, certain elements like the roof, doors, glass, cockpit, floorpan, and lights remain true to their original Lotus design. Since Hennessey is not recognised as a manufacturer, owners of a Hennessey Venom can easily register and insure their Hypercars as simply “modified” Lotus Exige models.