Hennessey Blackbird: 850 hp and not a single screen!
- Published on 08/08/2026 7:37
After chasing records with the Venom F5, Hennessey returns to the atmospheric V8, manual transmission, and the good old needle gauges.
At Hennessey, one measurement unit is well-known: horsepower. A lot of horsepower. The Venom F5 and its twin-turbo V8 have thus surpassed 2,000 hp in their latest iterations. For its new Blackbird, the Texas manufacturer has decided to tone it down. Well, in a manner of speaking.
This third hypercar entirely developed by Hennessey adopts a 6.2-liter atmospheric V8, designed with Ilmor Engineering. It is expected to generate between 800 and 850 hp and reach over 9,000 rpm. All of this power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission with an exposed gate. In 2026, this is almost a declaration of resistance.
Pure
The Blackbird obviously does not shy away from performance. Weighing less than 1,360 kg dry thanks to a structure and bodywork largely made of carbon, Hennessey claims a 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 2.5 seconds and a top speed of around 354 km/h.
Its name is not without significance. The car is inspired by the legendary Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird spy plane, notably with two small vertical stabilizers that deploy at the rear at high speed. However, there’s no intention to turn the cabin into a digital cockpit.
Hennessey has indeed made the screens disappear. In their place: a large analog tachometer, real controls, an ignition key, and that spectacular mechanical gear shift. There are even four cup holders and space for two carry-on bags. An analog hypercar, for sure, but there’s no question of traveling dehydrated.
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Only 71 Blackbirds will be produced, starting in 2029, with a price tag starting at $2.5 million. More than two-thirds are already reserved. Its first public appearance is scheduled for August 14 at The Quail, during Monterey Car Week.
Hennessey may have just realized that after the horsepower wars, the next automotive luxury will simply be… driving.
This page is translated from the original post "Hennessey Blackbird : 850 ch et pas un écran !" in French.
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