Hennessey Venom GT Spyder.

                          Hennessey Venom GT Spyder.

The Venom GT Spyder is top version of the Venom GT. Having decided to order a Venom GT Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler approached Hennessey in Autumn 2011 and asked if an open-top version could be created. This involved structural changes which added 30 pounds  to the curb weight. Tyler's was the first of five cars scheduled delivered for the 2013 model year.

Hennessey CEO, Don Goldman says"With the hardtop in place the Venom GT offers a very visceral raw driving experience. With the hardtop removed the wind and growl of the twin turbo V8 will offer our clients an even greater driving sensation."

To produce the convertible version Hennessey and his team needed to adjust a few things on the current hardtop model. The weight of the vehicle increased slightly like about 30 lbs which also required us to offer more horsepower to offset that additional weight Hennessey says “We added one horsepower per one kilogram of weight so that came out to 2.2 pounds of weight so we bumped up horsepower from 1,200 to 1,244, while still weighing only 2,343 pounds…that’s still very light.”

The Venom GT Spyder is manufactured at Silverstone, England, with engines supplied by Hennessey’s Texas headquarters. Venom GT Spyder buyers will be offered a one-day driver orientation and instruction program by a Hennessey factory test driver at a track in the UK or USA prior to delivery.

The Venom GT Spyder powered by the same Chevrolet sourced V8 engine found in the Coupe with an output of 1,200 HP at 6,500 rpm and 1,155 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. Because of the added weight from the removable roof performance numbers should be a tad bit slower than the Coupe which sprints from 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds and to 200 mph in 15.9 seconds on its way up to a top speed of 275 mph. The engine will more than likely send its power to the rear wheels via a Ricardo 6-speed gearbox and handling facilitated by a KW variant three-adjustable coilover suspension.

The model purchased by Tyler in May last year is a modified version of the Lotus Exige, the fastest convertible in the world. It is also one of the five models built for 2013.

Specifications:
Base Price        $1,100,000
Engine              6.2-liter twin-turbocharged V-8
Horsepower      1,200 hp
Torque              1,155 lb-ft
Transmission    6-speed manual
0–60 mph         2.7 seconds (estimated)
Top Speed        250 mph (estimated)
Weight              2,800 lb (estimated)
Length              183 inches
Tires                 Front: 255/30R-20,  Rear:  345/30R-20(estimated).