1451bhp Hennessey Venom GT sets new top speed world record

American supercar maker says it has set a new world record for the fastest production car after exceeding 280mph/448kph with its 1451bhp Venom GT.

In a video launched to celebrate its 25th anniversary, is claiming to have set a new world record for the fastest production car, with insiders expecting the new record to be in excess of 280mph/448kph.

Hennessey’s record-setting car is an updated Venom GT that was previously announced at last year’s SEMA show. The improved 7.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine produces 1451bhp, which is a staggering 207bhp more than the previous version. Hennessey has also increased the boost pressure from 19psi to 26psi, helping the car hit 100kph in 2.4sec, with 100mph/160kph appearing in just 4.4sec.

The record is said to have been broken at the Kennedy Space Center, which is home to a 2.8-mile runway designed for landing space shuttles. It’s also where Hennessey set the last production car speed record in 2014. An announcement is due to be made later today to confirm the exact speed reached.

Bugatti held the record prior to Hennessey’s attempts, with its Veyron Super Sport reaching 267.91mph/428.65kph in 2010. Bugatti’s new hypercar, the Chiron, will be electronically limited to 261mph/417kph.

Hennessey claims that it will only produce “a handful” of Venom GTs in 2016, as focus turns to its new production car, the Venom F5.

Last week Nissan set its own world record for the fastest drift. It used a modified GT-R to hold a 30deg drift at a speed of 189.5mph /303.2kph.