New manual 861bhp Hennessey Blackbird becomes US brand’s third hypercar
Hennessey has unveiled a new model — Blackbird — which joins the Venom GT and Venom F5 in its hypercar lineup. The Texas-based brand has high hopes for its new model, saying the goal is ‘for the car to feel as special in fifty years as it does today’.
Blackbird is inspired by the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird aircraft, taking its name and proportions, with Hennessey saying it offers “an authentic alternative to increasingly complex, digitised, and hybridised modern hypercars”.
That statement is aided by the fact that the Blackbird is built around a 6.2-litre V8 engine with an actual manual gearbox. It’s a whopper too, producing 861bhp, with a 0-60mph time of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 220mph. There’s also carbon fibre aplenty, from the bodywork to an all-new bespoke full-carbon tub, helping it weigh just 1,360 kg. Adaptive suspension, ABS, traction control and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres bring the Blackbird into the modern day.
And while John Hennessey, Company Founder and CEO, says it is “not a numbers car”, surely it will do what Hennessey hypercars do on track — break records.
Aircraft inspiration
Hennessey says its Blackbird is heavily inspired by the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird aircraft, and influences the car’s ‘long stance, directional confidence, disciplined surfacing, and signature lines’.
Possibly the biggest similarity between the aircraft and car is the active vertical rear stabilisers, which deploy automatically at 71mph and sit at +/- 71 degrees in recognition of the aircraft designation, while also allowing manual activation at any speed.
Other vehicles have inspired the Blackbird too, and its diamond exhaust detailing, diamond motifs in the headlights and cabin are all borrowed from the Bell X-1 aircraft, while F1-style side pods and LMP1-inspired winglets sprinkle a little motorsport magic to the aerospace design language.
Driver focus
While the previous Venom F5 was the fastest, most powerful Hennessey model so far, the Blackbird is taking the role of ‘most emotionally engaging’ Hennessey hypercar yet.
Hennessey said about the Blackbird in its press release:
‘While performance is significant, it’s the experience that’s paramount: natural aspiration, manual control, direct feedback, elegant design, long-distance usability, and a cabin centred on the driver rather than a screen.’
And the company has been true to its word, designing an all-new Ilmor-developed, naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 engine that is expected to be the highest-revving (9,000rpm) and most powerful naturally aspirated road-car engine. That’s without turbochargers, hybrid assistance and artificial response layers: just immediate throttle response, Rear Wheel Drive and a six-speed manual gearbox.
Oh, and it’s a grand tourer too, with Hennessey saying it is capable of “covering more than 800 miles in a single day” and equally at home on motorway and mountain roads as it is on track. Your lengthy journey is supported by adaptive suspension, traction control, ABS, low NVH targets, and considered ergonomics on special roads “without diluting the analogue character”.
Interior
Inside, Blackbird bucks the trend following an ‘analogue-first philosophy’. That’s right. This means no infotainment screen, no digital displays and no steering wheel buttons. A large analogue central tachometer at least gives the interior a focal point and something for the driver to keep an eye on, essential for the 9,000rpm they’ll be able to play with.
Technology is present in some forms, however without dominating the cabin, and connectivity — including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — is supplied through the driver’s device held in a bespoke Hennessey holster.
The aviation theme also continues inside, and includes a dash-mounted whiskey compass as standard with an optional timepiece, as well as leather at the centre of the dash like the SR-71 and dual feature rails extending back into the cabin.
In terms of luggage space, it’s a step up from the Venom F5. There’s front trunk storage space for two carry-on bags and rear luggage pods, while other neat storage touches include four cup holders and a valet tray integrated into the dash.
How many will be made and how much will they cost?
As is the case with nearly all modern day supercar/hypercar releases, the Hennessey Blackbird will be limited in numbers. Only 71 will be made, and each will be designed and built in Hennessey’s home turf of Texas, costing $2.5 million (£1.86 million) before taxes.
Customer deliveries are expected to take place around 2029-2030, with more than two thirds of production already allocated ahead of its public debut on August 14th at The Quail in California.
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Hennessey