Many of us thought that the era of manual transmissions was over. With EVs more prominent and automatic transmissions better for overall performance, fewer and fewer cars have launched with the old stick shift. However, a few companies are bucking that trend, and Hennessey is one of those with its new ‘Project Overlord.’
Hennessey has already blown our minds this year. They took the covers off the stunning Venom F5-M at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and this was a 2,000hp monster that did have a manual transmission.
Of course, it was an incredibly limited production run. Hennessey is building just 12 units of the Venom F5-M. However, if you are rich enough and lucky enough, you might be able to buy what Hennessey has up its sleeve next. The company recently dropped the first teaser for its next hypercar, which goes by the name of Project Overlord.
Yep, you guessed it. Hennessey is bringing us another manual hypercar. At the time of writing, the American manufacturer was being quite cagey on all the main details. But even this small teaser has got us incredibly excited.
What We Know About the Hennessey Project Overlord
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The full reveal of the car is taking place on August 3rd, which will be just before the full kick-off of Monterey Car Week. Unlike the Venom F5-M Roadster, this is not another derivative of the Venom F5. The Project Overlord will be a new hypercar, one that Hennessey has spent two years developing alongside the F5.
The teaser that the company showed off revealed the rear of the car. In the image, we can see a semi-circular LED taillight, sandwiched between two parts of the bodywork and over a black mesh grille. It is quite a sinister-looking design, potentially hinting at a car even more aggressive-looking than the Venom F5. However, rumors suggest that it will actually have a more pleasing aesthetic than the Venom F5, and be “more calm” in its overall design.
For the rest of the car, we sadly know very little else. Around two years ago, John Hennessey himself spoke to publication CarBuzz about the car, describing it as a “lightweight, high-revving, driver-engaged car” and something that the tuning company had long wanted to add to its lineup. What we do know, though, is that, like the recent Venom F5-M Roadster, Project Overlord will have a manual transmission. Yes, another hypercar is being launched that will firmly put the driver in control. So much for the death of the manual, huh?
What Performance Will the Project Overlord Have?
In terms of power, engine, weight and all the other juicy details, we don’t know anything. Rumors suggest that it will be lighter and smaller than the Venom F5, potentially outputting less power but mitigating this due to its lighter overall weight. Hennessey has called it an “American Carrera GT,” and with the driver being the focus over top speeds, it sounds like it might have a more hardcore enthusiast appeal.
For now, though, we will have to wait. What we do know is that August 3rd is when the car will be unveiled, as part of the iconic Monterey Car Week. Rumors have also suggested a new transmission and a brand-new engine under the hood, so whatever it ends up being, Project Overlord already sounds incredibly exciting.