Hennessey HPE700 C7 Corvette Aims to Beat Factory ZR1 to the Punch
The Hennessey HPE700 Corvette, expected to debut in October 2013, will pre-empt the factory’s C7 ZR1 and may well out-accelerate it too with Hennessey’s 700bhp performance package incorporating the Eaton TVS R2300 supercharger.
Packing 8 psi of boost through custom CNC-ported factory cylinder heads, working with proprietary intake and fueling systems plus a recalibrated ECU, the system aims to provide an accelerated level of thrust. Transmission choices include either a 7-speed manual or 6-speed automatic.
Visually, the HPE700 Corvette is distinguishable by Hennessey’s CarbonAero body treatment consisting of a front splitter, notched rear spoiler, side sills and a hood – the latter featuring a power dome and central vent that both decreases underhood temperatures and increases downforce by evacuating air. The body pieces are made of hand-laid carbon fibre, and Hennessey claims they all help increase downforce.
“We’re only interested in changes that deliver a measurable increase in performance, period,” says company founder John Hennessey. Optional 10-spoke H10 alloys shod with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires fill out the wheel wells.
Interior details, meanwhile, haven’t been finalised at this early date, but each car will come with dash and engine plaques displaying the serialised build number. An optional coilover suspension system utilising Penske double-adjustable shocks will be offered, as will a Brembo brake upgrade with carbon-ceramic rotors. Less powerful variants–a normally aspirated HPE500 and supercharged HPE600–will be offered too, and all components that comprise the HPE complete cars will be available individually.
Source: Hennessey Performance