VIDEO: Hennessey gets its first Camaro, heads straight to drag strip
Hennessey Camaro #001: Click above for a high-res gallery
Hennessey has some interesting plans for the 2010 Camaro, including the supercharged, 562 horsepower HPE550. The aftermarket powerhouse has already taken delivery on its first 2010 model, an Inferno Orange SS model with a six-speed manual and 426 hp at its beck and call. Wait, make that 446, as Hennessey engineers have already tweaked the LS3 V8 to provide an additional 20 ponies.
Barely a day into Hennessey's ownership of the bow tie pony car, it was already at the track and ready to play. Hennessey took to the quarter mile with 6.2-liters of small block fury, and exited with a reasonably 13.6 @ 108 mph. The Camaro's 60 time was also registered at 5.2 seconds, even with an absolutely pedestrian jump out of the gates. Hennessey also mentions that they didn't even bother to let a bit of air out of the tires to increase the time, and we're guessing the time can be cut down considerably with a little practice. Hennessey is hoping to bring the HPE550 to 60 in 3.9 seconds, with a 11.9 second run in the quarter mile.
Hit the jump to check out Hennessey Camaro #001 for yourself. You'll see a nice-looking burnout to warm up the massive SS tires, followed by the glorious symphony that emanates from the tried-and-true small block Chevy V8.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
John 11:36AM (4/24/2009)
Thats pretty high trap speed for 13.6... seems like they could get high 12s with a good launch. Sweet.
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Ligor 12:22PM (4/24/2009)
so the Mustang GT and the Nissan 370Z are faster than the mighty Corvette SS with an additional 20HP aftermarket?
- that's not looking very good
Ndcart 12:31PM (4/24/2009)
Ligor....hate to play Mister Obvious, but it's a Camaro, Not a corvette.
rar 12:36PM (4/24/2009)
Edmonds ran a flat 13 at 110.9
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=144431
I would guess high 12's could be hit with the right launch. BTW, in the same test, a Mustang GT ran a 13.5 at 102.9
some1 11:37AM (4/24/2009)
@autoblog
"The reputable aftermarket powerhouse..."
comon guys... this guy is a crook. how can you post this.
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koloth44 11:38AM (4/24/2009)
Came here to say just that. wtf?
chconline 11:41AM (4/24/2009)
In other news:
VIDEO: John Hennessey scams his 100,000th customer, heads straight to the lake while police pursue follows
Actually I would love to watch that lol.
some1 11:58AM (4/24/2009)
@koloth44
Yes... it amazes me that AB actually posts this... I cannot recall an artical on this man that has ended well in the comments section.
What further confuses me, is AB sees this, and yet, still posts about him? he has a horrible reputation in the automotive world, i think AB should openly protest/ban his company.
Steve 11:37AM (4/24/2009)
So if I order one, I can expect a wait period of 4-5 years, and for it to be given to me "BRAND NEW" with 20,000 miles, right? Also, I can expect alot of phone calls, faxes, emails, and such not being replied to, because you're too busy tracking my car... right? Or are you still working on it? I'm not sure. And apparently... neither are you.
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Parkerman 11:42AM (4/24/2009)
Yea, because he is a reputable aftermarket powerhouse....
*sigh* pathetic AB... just pathetic.
Parkerman 11:43AM (4/24/2009)
So... how much does he pay you guys at Autoblog? He has to pay you something for yall to have your blinders on and keep posting crap about this worthless SOB..
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Steve 11:45AM (4/24/2009)
All this guy does is steal from people. You ever been to a Ford/Viper forum and read what they have said about this guy? And now he's started to invoke rage among GT-R owners too...
Why the HELL would you post a story on him?
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BoxerFanatic 11:52AM (4/24/2009)
And evidently, not a believer in a measured break-in, either...
I have yet to hear a positive word about this guy's, or his company's reputation for service and treatment.
Even if he can do what he says, technically, it sounds like he treats people poorly.
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Murray 11:53AM (4/24/2009)
Wow, nice run there grandma.....terrible numbers. My 05 GT runs the quarter better.
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Joe 12:22PM (4/24/2009)
Exactly what I was going to say. I've seen stock GTs that will run 13.5 on street tires.
TriShield 11:55AM (4/24/2009)
The mags have been trapping 111mph with the SS so it is a 12 second capable car.
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Steve 11:58AM (4/24/2009)
You know it's bad when.... you go on google, and this is what you get:
Results 1 - 10 of about 108,000 for hennessy is a crook. (0.09 seconds)
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Duke 12:43PM (4/24/2009)
You find some interesting stuff out there. It seems he had a pissing match on a forum thread - http://www.300cforums.com/forums/general-discussion/21978-efool-gets-punked-his-own-board.html
Someone wrote the following:
"According to a lawsuit filed in Salt Lake City, Utah resident Taig Stewart sent his Viper GTS to Hennessey last May for an engine upgrade to 1100 hp along with several other modifications. For that he wire-transferred $142,500 to Hennessey. The lawsuit states the parties agreed the car would be done by mid-July 2001. As of press time the car was still sitting under a tarp in Hennessey’s shop in Houston. Or most of the car, anyway. Stewart’s suit claims Hennessey sold the car’s engine, transmission, wheels, tires and hood. The suit seeks return of the money, the Viper and “no less than $1 million” in punitive damages."
I guess this is the kind of stuff that makes people say crook.
artso06 12:11PM (4/24/2009)
im tired of looking at photos of this car.......
The worst part is the more and more i look at it the more things im just not thrilled about. Good for Henessey, great for everyone that these things have FINALLY started rolling off the line
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jv2k 3:32PM (4/24/2009)
I'm tired of reading these posts about people bitching about the car.