Autoblog

Hennessey Venom GT officially sets 0-300 km/h world record [w/video]

John Neff — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 12:45:00 EST

We're happy there's a John Hennessey who walks the Earth. While any number of humans may have had the idea of marrying a stretched Lotus with a twin-turbocharged ZR1 engine, only Hennessey had the wherewithal to make the Venom GT. And because he has, we bring you the news that the Venom GT has officially broken the world record for a car traveling from 0 to 300 kilometers per hour.

The deed was done on January 10th and officially certified by Guinness World Records. Conducted at Ellington Airport near Houston, Texas, the certified time of 13.63 seconds is actually the average of two separate runs going the opposite direction. The first run, with a 4-mile-per-hour tailwind, was achieved in 13.18 seconds, and the second, with a 6-mph headwind, happened in 14.08 seconds.

Guinness only recognizes deeds done in kilometers per hour, but you may be interested to know that the 1,244-horsepower Venom GT also reached 200 mph on that day in a record 14.51 seconds. According to Hennessey, the previous record for that achievement was 17.68 seconds by the Koenigsegg Agera R and the 1,200-hp Bugatti Veyron Sport requires a positively glacial 22.2 seconds.

There are more numerically significant accomplishments in Hennessey's press release below, but what you'll really want to do is check out the video replay, as well as flip through these photo galleries of the world record run and glamour shots of the car in question.

Continue reading Hennessey Venom GT officially sets 0-300 km/h world record [w/video]

Hennessey Venom GT officially sets 0-300 km/h world record [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jan 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hennessey preparing updated Venom GT2 with 1,500 HP [UPDATE]

Seyth Miersma — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:54:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance

Hennessey Performance - that purveyor of things silly-powerful - has announced a sequel to its bonkers Lotus-based Venom GT, the appropriately sequential Venom GT2. While the performance company isn't quite ready to release full technical details about the new car, it has supplied us with a few of the vitals, as well as a gallery's worth of first-look eye-candy.

The GT2 seeks to trump the horsepower output of the Venom GT in a major way, upping the total pony count to 1,500 versus the older car's paltry 1,200 hp. That heroic output is produced by a 7.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, and is attainable running plebian E85 pump gas - like a boss. The 1,500-hp figure is significant, too, as it represents one horsepower for each kilogram of weight the car carries.

Other additions for the Venom GT2 include an available seven-speed "paddle shift transmission" of unknown origin, a bump in headroom thanks to the double-bubble roof and aero improvements that drop the CofD from 0.44 to 0.42.

Look for this unmitigated beast of a hypercar to make its official debut late in 2013.

UPDATE: This just in from John Hennessey regarding the 2014 Venom GT2. We're told that the car will carry a sticker price of $1.25 million to start, and that the optional seven-speed paddle-shift transmission will be a $165,000 option. Further, Hennessey will continue to sell both the Venom GT and the Venom GT2 - the new car is not a replacement for the older, in other words.

Hennessey preparing updated Venom GT2 with 1,500 HP [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How powerful is the Hennessey Venom GT? Just you watch

Aaron Richardson — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Specialty

It's easy to talk endlessly about unbelievably powerful cars, almost to the point that numbers become meaningless. In an effort to crystallize what 1,200 horses in a 2,685-pound car can do in the real world, we present a new video of the 2012 Hennessey Venom GT.

In the time it takes your wheezy Civic to go from 65 to 75 mph, the Venom GT has sprinted from 70 mph to a staggering 215 and is on its cool-down run. If you were to push hard enough with enough road, Hennessey says the Venom GT wouldn't stop until it hit 275 mph. Click past the jump to see the what the instrument cluster in the Venom looks like when you drop the hammer at 70 mph.

Continue reading How powerful is the Hennessey Venom GT? Just you watch

How powerful is the Hennessey Venom GT? Just you watch originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Sep 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hennessey Venom makes great night light when being dyno'd

John Neff — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:45:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Videos

This is Venom chassis #4 doing its best to light up our lives while pulling a dyno run. On low boost, Hennessey's new supercar is good for 813 rear-wheel horsepower, and its 6.2-liter twin-turbo V8 can pull that off with nothing but a healthy glow to show for it (ladies like this don't sweat). It can also spit fire.

Continue reading Hennessey Venom makes great night light when being dyno'd

Hennessey Venom makes great night light when being dyno'd originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Hennessey Venom GT Chassis #03 dressed up in red

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:24:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, MISC

2011 Hennessey Venom GT in red - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've seen the silver-colored Hennessey Venom GT chassis number 01 out running about, and now, the tuning company has decided to show off its bright red chassis number 03. The 1,200-horsepower supercar can ran from 0-60 miles per hour in 2.5 seconds and has an estimated top speed of 267 mph.

We've stared at it, heard it, seen it belch fire on the dyno, Jay Leno's had his time with it and now we say enough is enough. We're more than ready for our test drive, and while the red paint job of this latest build is indeed sexy, we'd gladly drive one in beige if it meant some seat time was in order.

Click through the gallery below to see the 2011 Hennessey Venom GT looking resplendent in its shiny new red coat of paint.

Gallery: Hennessey Venom GT – Chassis Number 03

[Source: Hennessey Performance]

Pics Aplenty: Hennessey Venom GT Chassis #03 dressed up in red originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Hennessey Venom GT rocks the dyno, spits fire

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Videos, MISC

Hennessey channels Top Gun with its Venom GT - Click above to watch video after the jump

The Hennessey Venom GT is a beastly two-seater that produces as much power as a small sun. An LS9, taken from the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, is massaged to produce an astonishing 933 horsepower and 874 pound-feet of torque at the rear wheels. If those numbers don't scare you, we're guessing you're probably a naval aviator who is used to seeing the bright flash of afterburners coming to life. If so, you're in luck because the Venom GT also spits hot fire.

We've seen it run on the dyno and we've also seen it produce a few flames from just off idle. Now we have video of Hennessey upping the ante by combining the two. While at full ~~song~~ scream, the Hennessey Venom GT belches a massive jet of fire out of its twin-exhaust outlets. Neato. Grab a stick, some marshmallows and click past the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Hennessey Venom GT

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Hennessey Venom GT rocks the dyno, spits fire

Video: Hennessey Venom GT rocks the dyno, spits fire originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Hennessey Venom GT glamor shots prove poison can be very pretty

John Neff — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance

2011 Hennessey Venom GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hennessey has already divulged practically every piece of information we want to know about its 2011 Venom GT supercar. It's built on a heavily molested Lotus Elise chassis and driven by one of three versions of the 6.2-liter LS9 V8 used in the Corvette ZR1. The base model is supercharged and produces 725 horsepower and 741 pound-feet of torque. The other two mills are both twin turbocharged and produce 1,000 hp and 1,200 hp, respectively. All three models use the same six-speed Ricardo transmission as the Ford GT. Weight: 2,548 lbs dry and 2,685 lbs loaded with fuel. Price: Somewhere north of $600,000 for the base supercharged model. Yeah, this is some serious stuff.

The Texas-based tuner (can we really call a company that builds something like this a tuner?) has finished the very first production Venom GT, and it's a duesy. Chassis Number 01 is a top tier twin-turbo model, the same one clocked producing 933 rwhp a few weeks ago on a dyno.

As if the numbers don't paint a pretty enough picture, Hennessey recently hired a photographer to snap some beauty shots of its Venom GT. The high-res image gallery below sports some 56 images, some of which are good, many of which could be better. May we offer up our own ace photog Drew Phillips? We're quite sure he'd be happy to snap a pictorial starring the new Venom GT.

Gallery: 2011 Hennessey Venom GT

[Source: Hennessey Performance Engineering]

Continue reading 2011 Hennessey Venom GT glamor shots prove poison can be very pretty

2011 Hennessey Venom GT glamor shots prove poison can be very pretty originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Hennessey Venom GT dyno'd at 933 RWHP

Zach Bowman — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Specialty, Racing

Hennessey Venom GT - Click above to watch video after the jump

By now we should all know that Hennessey isn't the kind of vaporware tuner that throws out a rendering, some wild projected power numbers and then drops off the face of the planet, but that didn't stop us from being skeptical when the Texas-based tuner/builder rolled out plans for its Venom GT. Originally, the car was supposed to get its power from a beefy V10 borrowed from the nose of a Dodge Viper, complete with a 1,000-horsepower tune in a 2,700-lb chassis. The final product, however, swapped the 10-pot for the supercharged V8 found in the mighty Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. Despite dropping two cylinders, horsepower estimates stayed the same.

Now Hennessey has rolled out a video of its creation on the dyno. How does a streetable 933 horsepower at the rear wheels sound? How about 874 lb-ft of torque at the tires? It sounds mighty tasty to us, especially considering that those numbers come courtesy of regular 93 octane pump gas (no race fuel here, kiddies) and, again, are at the wheel. Ditch the drivetrain loss and power at the crank will easily crest 1,000 ponies. Go ahead and hit the jump to see the monster pull for yourself.

Gallery: Hennessey Venom GT

[Source: Hennessey]

Continue reading Video: Hennessey Venom GT dyno'd at 933 RWHP

Video: Hennessey Venom GT dyno'd at 933 RWHP originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Hennessey Venom GT blasts through Merry Ol' England

Zach Bowman — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, UK, Specialty

Hennessey Venom GT - Click above to watch video after the jump

By all accounts, the Hennessey Venom GT is an all-new level of bat-guano crazy. When everyone's favorite Texas tuner announced that it would be creating a hand-crafted, mid-engine terror, we all knew it was going to be special, even if our feeble little minds couldn't quite comprehend just how incredible the car would be. Now that the covers are off and we know that a 725-horsepower V8 feeds the rear tires a universe of punishment, we can't help but want a little seat time.

New footage of the $600,000 creation whipping around the streets and bi-ways of England has surfaced. Unlike the track video we caught a glimpse of last time, the new clip dishes up all the audio glory you'd expect from the behemoth. Hit the jump and crank it up.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Hennessey Venom GT blasts through Merry Ol' England

Video: Hennessey Venom GT blasts through Merry Ol' England originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hennessey signs DiMora to sell Venom GT overseas

Noah Joseph — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 09:38:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, India, Middle East, MISC

Hennessey Venom GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

You might say the American automotive industry is divided into two groups: The Big Three, and the rest. That latter category might include up-and-comers like Tesla, niche manufacturers like SSC, as well as super-modifiers like Hennessey and wannabes like DiMora. Those last two are hoping to break out obscurity with high-end offerings of their own, and have teamed up along the way to make it happen.

After decades of tuning Vipers and 'Vettes, Hennessey recently debuted the new Venom GT, a of Lotus on 'roids with a supercharged Corvette LS9 V8 mounted amidship. It can be ordered, starting at around $600,00, with 725, 1,000 or even 1,200 horsepower. Sounds exactly right for the Middle East, doesn't it?

To that effect, Hennessey has signed DiMora - the effort behind the vaporware Natalia SLS super-sedan - to sell the Venom GT in the Middle East and in India, two burgeoning markets for rich toys like this one.

Gallery: Hennessey Venom GT

[Source: Inside Line]

Hennessey signs DiMora to sell Venom GT overseas originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Hennessey Venom GT hits the track

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 20:04:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos

Hennessey Venom GT on track - Click above to watch video

The Hennessey Venom GT was out testing on track, and while the minute of footage tends toward the Zapruder end of 'gotcha' videos, there are still some pretty clear sights and sounds of the stretched and steroided Elise with the giant badonkadonk.

We're going to guess this is the base, 725-horsepower version and what can be heard of it sounds pretty compelling. If nothing else, maybe this will help you dole out the $600K necessary to do some track time in one of your own. Follow the jump for the video. Hat tip to Mikespeed95

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Hennessey Venom GT hits the track

Video: Hennessey Venom GT hits the track originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Apr 2010 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hennessey Venom GT: A $600k mid-engine Cobra for the 21st Century

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Lotus

Hennessey Venom GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's Embargopalooza tonight at Autoblog, and if there wasn't already enough high-powered hotness to be had, we're throwing one more V8-powered sled into the mix.

We've traveled a long road to get here, but the Hennessey Venom GT has finally arrived after countless reports, spy shots, videos and announcements. If you're suffering from Hennessey fatigue, stop right here. You know most of the story already and have surely weighed-in with your opinion. But if a chopped and lengthened Lotus Elise powered by the Corvette ZR1's supercharged eight piques your interest - and you're looking for a glimpse into the man behind the madness - make the jump for a new take on an age-old equation.

Gallery: Hennessey Venom GT

Continue reading Hennessey Venom GT: A $600k mid-engine Cobra for the 21st Century

Hennessey Venom GT: A $600k mid-engine Cobra for the 21st Century originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shot: Hennessey Venom GT to debut at Goodwood, U.S. debut in Monterey

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Misc. Auto Shows

Hennessey Venom GT - Click above for image gallery

We've just gotten word from Hennessey Performance that the Venom GT won't be making the trip to Switzerland to debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Instead, the Lotus Elise-based supercar will make its official entrance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July and make its first U.S. appearance in Monterey this August.

Testing of the 2,400-pound twin-turbocharged V8 coupe is underway, and according to our source, the reason for the delay was a lack of exhibition space in Switzerland. You can get the full details in our previous posts and expect more information to be forthcoming in the next few weeks.

Gallery: Hennessey Performance Venom GT in the shop

Spy Shot: Hennessey Venom GT to debut at Goodwood, U.S. debut in Monterey originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hennessey Performance Venom GT rendered, nearly uncovered

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:40:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, MISC

Hennessey Venom GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

After providing us an exclusive glimpse inside the Hennessey Performance workshop, the Texas-based tuner has let more details slip on the development of the Venom GT -- a Lotus Elise-based supercar packing Corvette ZR1 firepower.

Before the production version debuts at the Geneva Motor Show this March, Hennessey has released a few renderings, along with more shots from inside the shop and a basic spec sheet, including performance figures and few technical details. The rear-drive, two-seater should tip the scales at 2,395 pounds, with a twin-turbo V8 mounted amidships and dolling out 1,000 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 950 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. As reported previously, power will be sent through a six-speed manual gearbox with forward progressed scrubbed off by Brembo brakes sized 15 inches in front and 14 inches in the rear. And the performance stats are nothing short of unbelievable. 0-60 mph will be dispatched in 2.2 seconds. 0-100 mph in 4.9 seconds and the 200 mph mark will be had in 14.5 seconds before maxing out at a claimed 262 mph. Judging by the newly released pics, the Venom GT is nearly complete and we expect to see the production version before it's official unveiling in Switzerland.

Gallery: Hennessey Performance Venom GT in the shop

[Source: Hennessey Performance]

Hennessey Performance Venom GT rendered, nearly uncovered originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EXCLUSIVE: First shots of the Hennessey Performance Venom GT

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show

Hennessey Venom GT - Click above for image gallery

Hennessey Performance is on a roll. First we got a Cadillac CTS-V that accelerates so violently it sets off its OnStar system. Then we get a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1-powered pony car that handily won our Best Camaro of SEMA. Now this: The first shots of the Hennessey Venom GT, a lightweight, LS9-powered ICBM aimed directly at the world's hypercar elite.

Originally teased way back in November of 2007, the House That Hennessey Built has been working overtime to create this Lotus Elise-based, mid-engine masterpiece for the Geneva Motor Show this March, and judging by these first shots from the shop, things are looking downright diabolical.

According to Hennessey, the final weight - with fuel, but no driver - should come in under 2,400 pounds, and with the "mildly tweaked" LS9 putting out between 650 and 700 horsepower, that puts the Venom in contention with the Bugatti Veyron for power-to-weight bragging rights. But naturally, Hennessey isn't stopping there. After the bugs are worked out, the supercharger will be dispatched in favor of a duo of turbos, netting output somewhere north of 1,000 hp. 0-60 times? Less than 2.5 seconds. Top speed? An estimated 262 mph.

Putting that grunt to the ground is a Ricardo six-speed manual gearbox - the same transmission the tuning firm used on its 1,000+ hp twin-turbocharged Ford GTs - with carbon fiber Dymag wheels fitted at all four corners, each shod in Michelin PS2 tires. Fifteen-inch carbon ceramic discs with eight piston Brembo calipers are mounted up front, while 14-inch rotors with six piston calipers reside in the rear, and ~~although we haven't gotten confirmation, the shot above suggests the driver sits front and center.~~ Nope, the Venom will be available in traditional left- or right-hand drive, according to Hennessey.

That's all for now, but look for more details to be released in the coming weeks and get an exclusive eyeful in the gallery below.

Gallery: Hennessey Performance Venom GT in the shop

EXCLUSIVE: First shots of the Hennessey Performance Venom GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hennessey releases details on Venom GT

Noah Joseph — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:16:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Supercars

Evidently not satisfied with having trounced the Bugatti Veyron in Road & Track's 0-200 mph showdown with its twin-turbo Viper, those tuners on speed over at Hennessey Performance Engineering are preparing a mid-engined supercar of their own. We brought you initial news, coupled with a teaser image, back at this year's SEMA show, but the company has now released additional information and the conceptual sketch you see above, which was penned by British auto designer Steve Everitt, who evidently likes the Lotus Elise/Exige, but thought it could use more oomph.

Built around the company's thousand-horsepower twin-turbocharged Dodge Viper V10 engine, the Venom GT would benefit from the immense power in a lighter-weight package weighing in around 2700 lbs. Carry the zeros and we're looking at 2.7 lbs per hp, giving the special Hennessey a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time estimated at less than 2.5 seconds, en route to an anticipated 300 km/h in about 14 seconds.

If it built the Venom GT, Hennessey would follow along the path of Saleen, who built the S7 supercar after years of tuning Mustangs. According to John Hennessey, existing owners of the firm's tuned Vipers would give the company a customer base to draw upon. Hennessey plans to have a pair of concept cars to show in 2009, which will help them gauge interest in potentially building the Venom GT at their factory in Houston. We're looking forward to it already. Press release after the jump.

[Source: Hennessey Performance Engineering]

Continue reading Hennessey releases details on Venom GT

Hennessey releases details on Venom GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA speed: Hennessey Viper Venom 800R

Scott Davis — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 09:32:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, SEMA Show, Supercars, Daimler, Dodge

Updated with Frank's live pics

Why worry about superchargers and turbochargers when you've got good old-fashioned cubic inches? After all, bigger is better right?

Living up to its VenomAero and Daytona spoiler-equipped body kit, the Hennessey Viper Venom 800R packs an amazing 585 naturally aspirated cubic inches under the bright yellow bonnet. After 12 weeks of Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) mojo, the nearly 10-liter monster belches out 810 bhp and 810 lb/ft of torque. Gulping air and fuel at a rate sure to satisfy an F16 in full afterburner, the 800R is capable of 0-60 in 2.9 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 10.88 @135 mph on its way up to a reported top speed of over 230 mph.

How fitting is it that this monster will officially debut on the Dupont stand at 10AM on Halloween as a part of the SEMA show in Las Vegas?

(Press release after the jump)

[Source: supercars.net]

Continue reading SEMA speed: Hennessey Viper Venom 800R

SEMA speed: Hennessey Viper Venom 800R originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Oct 2006 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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