Hennessey outlines plans for $3 million six-wheel drive electric hypercar
American hypercar manufacturer Hennessey has unveiled plans for the world’s first six-wheel-drive, fully electric Hyper-GT.
Codenamed ‘Project Deep Space’, the new Hyper-GT is touted as the world’s most expensive electric vehicle at $3 million and forms part of Hennessey’s plans to introduce three all-new vehicles over the next ten years.
Full specifications for the vehicle have yet to be released, but Hennessey claims ‘Project Deep Space’ will be “devastatingly fast” thanks to its six-wheel drive powertrain, which will result in a 50% increase in surface contact over traditional four-wheeled vehicles.
Founder and CEO of the company, John Hennessey, said: “Hennessey has spent more than 30 years building some of the fastest and most exciting vehicles in the world. This mantra will continue for our next 30 years by introducing the world’s first fully electrified, six-wheel-drive hyper-GT. We believe that ‘Deep Space’, with six electric motors combined with six driven wheels, could be the world’s quickest accelerating four-seater from zero to 200 mph!”
The passenger cabin will also feature diamond-shaped seating positions, with the driver centrally located, allowing two passengers to sit to the side and slightly back from the driver. The fourth passenger, positioned directly behind the driver, will occupy a “lie-flat automotive” seat.
Hennessey director of design, Nathan Malinick, added: “In Project Deep Space, we’ve merged the essence of early-twentieth century grand tourers with an otherworldly hyper GT form that leaves no doubt about its capability and intent.
“Integrating many industry firsts, our next all-new model turns the EV ‘hypercar’ concept on its head while exhibiting our ‘art of reduction’ design philosophy. By combining Hennessey’s passion for performance with the pinnacle of automotive luxury, we will offer our customers the best of both worlds with a central driving position, ample space for passengers, room for luggage, and best in class performance. The result of our advanced development program will be a car like no other.”
With 100% new design and engineering, ‘Project Deep Space’ will be constructed with an ultra-lightweight carbon-fiber chassis and body panels with gullwing doors.
John Hennessey added: “I’ve been building some of the world’s fastest accelerating vehicles for decades, yet they have always been performance-limited by mechanical grip. Six-wheeled electric propulsion is the solution. The technology is unprecedented in this segment – both forward-thinking and innovative. Our design and engineering team is excited about embracing the future.”
Hennessey Special Vehicles will construct the new electric hyper-GT at its advanced production facility in Sealy, Texas. Hennessey will work closely with technology partners including Shell Pennzoil and Delta Cosworth to develop the electrified powertrain. The dedicated Texas facility, which is currently building the Hennessey Venom F5 hypercar, sits adjacent to the Hennessey Performance factory that produces more than 600 high-performance cars and trucks each year.
“I recently had the opportunity to visit the Hennessey team and to hear the exciting news about their electric hypercar,” said Carlos Maurer, EVP of Sectors & Decarbonization at Shell. “It’s clear that electric vehicles will play an increasingly important role in mobility. Our collaboration with Hennessey will provide us with an extreme testbed for developing our own innovative fluids and lubricants as we strive to be at the forefront of this transition to a lower-carbon future.”
‘Project Deep Space’ is part of Hennessey’s strategic 10-year product plan. The electric hyper-GT, which is engineered for grand touring, is scheduled to follow the production of the sold-out Venom F5 coupe – the company’s 1,817 bhp hypercar decathlete.
Full specifications for ‘Project Deep Space’ are yet to be announced, but Hennessey has confirmed that pricing will start at $3 million US Dollars and production will be capped at 105 units globally to ensure exclusivity for its customers.
