Hennessey Special Vehicles has unveiled the Venom F5-M Roadster, which the company describes as the most powerful manual-transmission road car ever produced. Its 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged V8, named Fury, is rated at 2,031 horsepower and sends power exclusively to the rear wheels. The defining distinction is its six-speed gated manual transmission, replacing the dual-clutch configuration used in other Venom F5 variants.
The F5-M is more than a Venom F5 with a manual lever added for nostalgia. Hennessey’s engineering team in Sealy, Texas, has reworked the carbon-fiber monocoque chassis around the six-speed gearbox and its rear-lead layout. The open-top roadster is designed to let the V8 soundtrack fill the cabin, bringing the driver closer to the machine.
The car’s world premiere is set for the Goodwood Festival of Speed from July 9 to 12. Professional driver Alex Brundle will pilot the F5-M up the hill twice daily, showcasing the production-specification car and its take on analog driving at a major public motorsport event.
Analog Power, Modern Control
With all 2,031 horsepower delivered to the rear axle, managing traction is basic to the F5-M’s driving character. Hennessey says it has developed bespoke engine-management and traction-control systems to make power delivery more progressive. The calibration is intended to help drivers modulate acceleration, though the rear-wheel-lead layout still places large demands on driver inputs and the rear tires.
John Hennessey, the company’s founder and CEO, has described the F5-M as the most immersive driving experience Hennessey has created, putting the sound and feel of its power delivery at the center. The manual transmission features a billet-aluminum open gate and a short-throw shifter. The cockpit has been reconfigured to make gear selection basic to the experience, with some basic-console modules removed. Exposed carbon fiber and hand-stitched leather knee pads complete the interior.
Design That Commands Attention
The F5-M stands apart from the rest of the Venom family with a 55-inch (1.4-meter) dorsal fin. Extending from the roof’s air intake toward the rear of the car, the element gives the car a distinctive look and is designed to contribute to stability at speeds exceeding 320 km/h. The integrated roof scoop channels air toward the engine, while the fin is intended to support aerodynamic stability and downforce.
The first of the 12 planned units will have an exposed carbon-fiber body finished in deep purple with gold-anodized accents. It will feature a 24-karat gold front emblem, while the owner’s surname will be engraved on the rear and hand-embroidered on the leather knee pads. Hennessey plans bespoke treatment for each car.
Engineering Without Compromise
at its core, the Hennessey Venom F5-M pairs a mid-rear-mounted Fury V8 with a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis. A six-speed gated manual transmission sends its 2,031 horsepower to the rear wheels. The redesigned body incorporates the roof air intake and signature dorsal fin. Adaptive suspension adjusts to the selected driving mode, and Hennessey presents the car for both road and track use.
Production is limited to 12 units, each starting at $2,650,000 (approximately €2,320,999 before taxes). Nathan Malinick, Hennessey’s Director of Design, describes the F5-M as a comprehensive response to a different kind of driver engagement, rather than a manual conversion of the F5.
Following this launch, Hennessey plans to offer the evolved chassis and manual gearbox across the broader Venom F5 range, including the Coupé and track-focused Revolution variants. The move signals a commitment to analog driving as the industry shifts toward electrification, a trend also explored in the discussion of the final gasoline-powered MX-5 in this recent analysis of iconic models like the Miata.
In a market increasingly defined by digital interfaces and automated systems, the Venom F5-M Roadster puts mechanical interaction at the forefront. It pairs a manual gearbox with more than 2,000 horsepower sent to the rear wheels, setting it apart within Hennessey’s hypercar program and keeping driver involvement at its center.
