Inspired by the SR-71 Blackbird: Hennessey’s New Hypercar Takes Flight
Texas-based boutique manufacturer Hennessey has launched its latest hypercar, the Blackbird. Named after the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird-- the world's fastest airplane, with a top recorded speed of near 2,200 MPH-- Hennessey interestingly isn't targeting maximum velocity here, but rather a unique experience unlike anything else out there. Only 71 examples will be made, and prices start at $2.5 million.
Hennessey Blackbird: All The Details
At the heart of the Blackbird is a naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter V8 that was co-developed with Ilmor Engineering. Power numbers aren't final yet, but Hennessay says they are targeting 850 horsepower, and the 9,000 RPM redline should make for a glorious sound. The rear-wheel-drive car also is operated solely via a six-speed gated manual transmission, so buyers better be prepared to really drive the Blackbird.
Underneath the car is an all-new, fully carbon-fiber chassis. Hennessey is shooting for under 3,000 pounds here, which should make it a proper rocket. The company says the styling is heavily influenced by aerospace design, and vertical stabilizers deploy automatically at 71 MPH.
Hennessey Blackbird: Interior
Inside the Blackbird, there's a very Bugatti-influenced cockpit that carries Hennessey's screen-free design philosophy. There's a large analog tachometer, exposed shift linkage for the gated manual, and physical controls for everything there can be physical controls for.
Hennessey says that they engineered the car to be able to "comfortably cover more than 800 miles in a day." That's an insane amount of miles for a road day in any car, but we appreciate the gusto and lofty goal. That in mind, the Blackbird has touring at heart, with luggage space for two full-size carry-ons. Adaptive suspension should soften the ride for long highway cruises, too.
Hennessey is only building 71 examples of the Blackbird. Buyers will have to pony up a cool $2.5 million to even get in the door, and we don't doubt options will drive the prices close to a third of the eight-figure price point. Wild times, these.
Based in Connecticut, Ross hosts The Hooniverse Podcast. He has been in the off-road world since he was a kid riding in the back of his dad’s YJ Wrangler. He works in marketing by day and in his free time contributes to Hooniverse, AutoGuide, and ATV.com, and in the past has contributed to UTV Driver, ATV Rider, and Everyday Driver. Ross drives a 2018 Lexus GX460 that is an ongoing build project featured on multiple websites and the podcast.
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