I've read a few articles on this upcoming concept car from Hennessey Performance Engineering, and they even mention the designer, but no one is saying anything about the fact that it's a bloody Lotus design.
(http://seriouswheels.com/pics-2007/2007-Hennessey-Venom-GT-Concept-Front-And-Side-1280x960.jpg)
There's no doubting this is an Elise on speed. I just can't believe they're trying to pull this one over anyone's eyes.
HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 20, 2007) - Hennessey Performance Engineering today announced that it is introducing the company's first concept car - The Venom GT.
Penned by British auto designer, Steve Everitt, the Venom GT would incorporate Hennessey's potent Venom 1000 Twin Turbo Viper V10 powerplant into a light weight mid-engine chassis weighing "under 2,700 lbs". Power would be run through a 6-speed transmission or optional sequential gearbox.
With a power to weight ratio of just 2.7 lbs per bhp Hennessey estimates that the Venom GT could attain 0 to 100 km/h times in less than 2.5 sec. and a 0-300 km/h time of around 14 seconds. Company founder, John Hennessey, is careful to point out that the Venom GT is not being built as a "Veyron Slayer". Hennessey point out, saying, "The Veyron is an ultra fast and ultra luxurious grand touring car which also happens to be quicker and faster than any other road car, except for our Venom 1000 Twin Turbo SRT which beat the Veyron earlier this year from 0-200 mph. The Venom GT will be a much more engaging sports car to drive by challenging the driver with 1000+ HP in a chassis that is nearly 1500 lbs lighter than the Veyron."
Hennessey said, "The company already has existing Venom 1000 Twin Turbo clients interested in ordering the lighter, mid-engined Venom GT. "Right now are taking a serious look at building 2 concept cars that could be shown to the public sometime in 2009. If there is enough demand we may consider doing a very limited production run of the Venom GT."
If the Venom GT goes into production, it would be built at the company's facility at Lonestar Motorsports Park which is located just west of Houston, Texas.
looks like the spoiler goes back down.
id buy it maybe.
Sounds like it will be a pretty bad ass car. It's too bad Hennessey is a con.
reminds me of a zonda c-series more the an elise, at least the back half does
Well, the front, sides, and top look identical to an Elise/Exige. The headlights look like direct swaps. Look at these photos and ask yourself if Lotus will be annoyed.
(http://www.carmart.ch/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/LotushagigeGT3_1.jpg)
(http://www.dragtimes.com/images/5087-2005-Lotus-Elise.jpg)
Had to post this one again hahaha
(http://a874.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/71/l_cd7613359c59315c15bb989dc269b839.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/whitehat_zero/Cougar/Picture004.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/whitehat_zero/Cougar/Picture003.jpg)
Nahh, I'd say they'd be pissed off. :D
But hell...nobody got mad when Carroll Shelby dropped that 289 into an AC Ace wayyy back when...everybody lined up to try to buy one...funny...;)
i say mostly lotus design and twin turbo i am sure someones gettting ripped off but its not a bad concept overall and it makes sense power to weight ratio.
its not any worse than this high dollar upgrade for the new FORD GT
THAT ain't shiznit...
THIS is though...GTTT (http://"http://www.imvfilms.com/joesgttt.php")
There was also a thread here about it awhile back...
My moms old boss is a doctor has 2 of them
1 all black 900RWHP
1 black with stripes mostly stock
Also has more cars and its not like i have not seen a 6.5million Shelby Cobra so....all i was trying to say is that the 710HP package sucks
Sorry that sounds mean long day does anyone know what lotus older rare light blue color is called?
...Ummm...honey? Can I have one? Just one. Purdy red one. Just like that one. I promise I won't ever ask for anything else. ;)
Why could they not bring back this nice lotus car???
They are bringing it back. The Esprit has been in the pipeline for a few years now, and a few sketches have been released.
The difference between this and all the Cobras, and Hennessey GT's and Vipers is those are all cars bought with upgraded go fast goodies. Shelby had licensed the AC body and even sold the 427s/c and 289 cars in Britain as AC's. This guy is claiming to have designed that car as a Hennessey concept, not an upgraded Elise. Notice that nowhere in the article does it mention a Lotus body shell, or Lotus anything, for that matter.
(http://www.motorauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/Lotus/Esprit/Spy/esprit_chop.jpg)
(http://euro.rpmplanets.com/peimages/2008_lotus_esprit_1_070606.jpg)
(http://www.lotusespritturbo.com/Lotus_Esprit_Concept_2009.jpg)
Thats one crazy looking lotus.
On those three pics of the "new" Esprit...I think the yellow version is easily the better looking...the intake scoops on the sides are greatly out of proportion...then again, they're probably required for brake and engine cooling etc.
That top white one would be all right, but the bottom..yuck.
I love the part when he slowly opens the throttle by hand.
Oh my, there is only one thing to say after that. WOW!!!:burnout:
the new Esprit design looks like a 340R front Elise middle and Lambo back.
Hennessy always struck me as a bit pricey. Pay thousands to get 50-100 HP on a VIPER? You can get that much power with ~1/3 the cylinders/displacement out of a stock 2.3T. Gimme a break.
As for Lotus, they're used to getting ripped off by just about everyone. Not saying it's right, but it is the price one pays for making the right choice first. Look at the Miata, it's an overweight Elan without the oil stain.
And the Elan is a streamlined MGB/Triumph/Jaguar roadster. ;)