Meet the Hennessey Blackbird: an aerospace-inspired beast of a touring hypercar, featuring a screaming naturally aspirated engine and a driver-focused manual transmission. By channeling the legacy of the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, Hennessey has created a hypercar that rejects the complexity of today’s digital and hybrid trends in favor of something more authentic.
John Hennessey on the Analog Concept
John Hennessey, Company Founder and CEO: “Blackbird isn’t just the next chapter in the Hennessey story, it represents the beginning of a new book. Our third hypercar, Blackbird, is unexpected by design, yet it’s exactly what I wanted to create and what our customers have been asking for. Challenging expectations has always been part of our DNA.
“From the beginning, Blackbird was guided by a simple idea: to deliver an analog experience where beauty and drama define every moment. This is not a numbers car. We set out to create an unparalleled emotional experience, from the first time you see it to the moment you take the wheel and feel the connection between driver and machine.”
Hennessey Blackbird Engine and Performance Specs
Under the hood, you’ll find an all-new 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 developed alongside Ilmor Engineering. Hennessey is aiming for 800 to 850 hp and a redline over 9,000 rpm, which should push the car from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds and hit a top speed of 220 mph. It’s a fitting number for a brand that once held the world’s fastest production car title — the Venom GT hit 270.49 mph back in 2014.
Lightweight Carbon Fiber Construction
With a custom full-carbon tub, carbon-fiber bodywork, and a target weight of under 3,000 lbs, the Blackbird has the specs to back up its analog feel. It also stays glued to the road thanks to adaptive suspension, ABS, traction control, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.
Pricing, Production, and Release Date
Limited to 71 units and priced from $2.5 million, the Texas-built Blackbird is scheduled for production in 2029-2030. More than two-thirds of the allocation is already claimed ahead of its August 14 public debut at The Quail, California.
Tick tock. These are selling faster than the car actually drives—get in there before they’re all gone!
Images Courtesy of Hennessey
