Hennessey has unveiled the Venom F5-M Roadster, claiming it as the most powerful production hypercar ever equipped with a manual gearbox. Set to debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from July 9-12, only 12 units will be made. The standout feature isn’t just the staggering 2,031 horsepower but the six-speed manual transmission-a rarity in a hypercar world dominated by dual-clutch and automatic gearboxes.

The F5-M Roadster is based on the Venom F5 Evolution platform. It inherits improved aerodynamics, an active suspension system, a retuned chassis, and a carbon fiber monocoque chassis. But the headline feature is its manually operated, open-gate six-speed transmission-an almost old-school choice for a car with more than 2,000 horsepower. It’s as brutally raw as it sounds, and incredibly exclusive.

Hennessey Venom F5-M Roadster specs and features

• Engine: 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged V8 Fury
• Power output: 2,031 horsepower
• Transmission: 6-speed manual gearbox with open gate
• Body style: Roadster with removable roof panel
• Chassis: Carbon fiber monocoque
• Electronics: Traction control and engine management system designed to assist driver control

Hennessey highlights that the car’s electronics are designed not to simplify driving but to help the pilot control this monstrous engine. In other words, it’s not about comfort or convenience-it’s about wrangling over 2,000 horsepower through a manual gearbox. This puts the F5-M in stark contrast to most hypercars today, which almost exclusively use automated transmissions or hybrid drivetrains that optimize speed and make homologation easier.

Compared to competitors, the Venom F5-M feels like a direct challenge not just to Ferrari and McLaren, but to boutique brands focusing on driver engagement. For reference, the Pagani Utopia offers 864 horsepower with a manual option, while Koenigsegg’s CC850 takes a hybrid route with up to 1,385 horsepower and a manual mode in its gearbox. Hennessey is pushing the envelope far beyond, doubling the power output while embracing a purist, hands-on driving experience.

Hennessey plans to build just 12 of these hyper-expensive, ultra-rare Roadsters, each tailored to its owner. The Venom F5 lineup has always been a boutique project aimed at surpassing 300 mph, with highly limited runs. The F5-M Roadster ups the rarity and exclusivity even further-not just a high-speed telemetry tool but a visceral, analog-driving machine for collectors craving the raw connection between driver and car.

The F5-M’s arrival reignites a niche appetite for manual hypercars-vehicles that offer a mechanical bond and driving challenge rather than simplified, computer-controlled acceleration. As hypercars continue their tech-heavy evolution, Hennessey’s take reminds us some drivers still crave exposed gates, clutch pedals, and engine roar raw enough to bite. Watch this space: will other makers follow or stick with the slick servers behind their automated shifts?