Sealy, Texas (August 19, 2026) – Hennessey Special Vehicles, has announced that all 71 of its Blackbird hypercars sold out just four hours after its global public debut during Monterey Car Week in California. The all-new Hennessey Blackbird struck a nerve with hypercar buyers demanding the recipe of beautiful design, naturally aspirated V8, manual-transmission, analog touring hypercar.
Inspired by the SR-71 Blackbird spy plane, the new Hennessey hypercar was created for drivers who value emotion, engagement, and long-distance usability with driving sensation the central focus for the naturally-aspirated hypercar, six-speed manual hypercar.
John Hennessey, Company Founder and CEO: “Our decision to focus on driving enjoyment with the new Hennessey Blackbird clearly ticked all the boxes for our customers. With buyers tired of overly complex, hybridized cars filled with screens, and lacking emotion, we knew that Blackbird fitted the brief for the car today’s buyers want. However, none of us expected such an overwhelmingly positive response. Selling out so fast is testament to the stunning design and our team’s appreciation of what makes hypercar ownership special.”
In the build-up to Monterey Car Week, the Hennessey team pre-sold more than 60 of the 71-car production run to customers new and old in markets around the world. As the car was unveiled at The Quail, just a handful of build slots remained, with all remaining allocations subsequently taken within four hours of the unveiling.
Priced from $2.5 million (before taxes), Blackbird is the third hypercar developed by Hennessey Special Vehicles after Venom GT (2010) and Venom F5 (2021). The new model prioritizes the connection between driver and road, with significant luggage capacity and a comfortable cabin making touring a genuine reality.
Despite its long-distance capabilities, Blackbird still offers all the performance buyers expect from a Hennessey. At its heart is an all-new naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 developed with Ilmor Engineering. Hennessey is targeting 800-850 hp and more than 9,000 rpm, with 0-60 mph achieved in 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 220 mph. An all-new bespoke Hennessey full-carbon tub, carbon-fiber bodywork, target weight of less than 3,000 lbs, adaptive suspension, ABS, traction control, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires give Blackbird the technical credibility to match its analog character.
HENNESSEY BLACKBIRD SPECIFICATION SUMMARY
Engine | All-new naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 developed for Blackbird with Ilmor Engineering |
Target Output | 800-850 hp |
Target Engine Speed | More than 9,000 rpm |
Performance | 0-60 mph 2.5 seconds; top speed 220 mph |
Transmission | Six-speed gated manual transmission |
Drive | Rear-wheel drive |
Chassis | Bespoke Hennessey full-carbon tub |
Body | Bespoke carbon-fiber bodywork |
Suspension | Inboard suspension architecture with adaptive suspension |
Target Weight | Target dry weight < 3,000 lbs (< 1,360 kg) |
Tires | Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 |
Wheels | Two unique Hennessey wheel options |
Driver Aids | Traction control and ABS |
Interior | Zero screens, large central tachometer, analog controls, device-connectivity |
Storage | Front trunk (2x full-size carry-on bags); rear quarter storage and in-cabin storage |
MEDIA CONTACT:
press@hennesseyspecialvehicles.com
About Hennessey Special Vehicles
The Hennessey Special Vehicles team creates world-record-breaking hypercars. The Hennessey Venom GT (270.49 mph in 2014) is still the world’s fastest manual car, and the Hennessey Venom GT Roadster (265.5 mph in 2016) is the current world-record-holding ‘fastest convertible’.
Today, Hennessey designs, develops, and builds its 100% bespoke, twin-turbocharged, 6.6-liter V8 Venom F5 hypercar. Engineered to exceed 300 mph and boasting the F5’s prodigious 1,817 bhp ‘Fury’ engine, the line-up includes Coupe and Roadster body styles – each available in track-focused ‘Revolution’ form. To ensure exclusivity, no more than 99 Venom F5 models will be built. All Coupe and Revolution Roadster models are sold out, while a handful of Roadster and Revolution coupe variants remain available. The company is delivering like never before on its mission of ‘making fast cars faster’.
