Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster Review: Because 300 MPH Deserves Some Fresh Air

A Convertible That Laughs in the Face of Physics

What’s the logical next step after building a 1,817-horsepower hypercar that wants to crack 300 mph? Well, according to Hennessey, the answer is obvious: chop off the roof and make it even crazier.

Welcome to the Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster, a car that exists solely because “enough” is not a word in Hennessey’s vocabulary. This is not just any convertible…this is a wind-tunnel-tested, multi-million-dollar, open-air missile designed for those who think Bugatti’s top speed record is merely a suggestion.

Is it the fastest roadster ever built? Is it even remotely usable in the real world? And most importantly, should you be concerned about your face peeling off at full throttle? Let’s find out.

Low, Wide, and Absolutely Unhinged

The Venom F5 Roadster looks almost identical to the coupe, well until you realize there’s no fixed roof keeping you safe from the laws of aerodynamics. The car still has that low-slung, wedge-shaped stance, with sharp edges and a menacing presence that basically yells, “I eat Lambos for breakfast.”

Hennessey didn’t just hack off the roof and call it a day. They reinforced the carbon-fiber monocoque to maintain rigidity, and the result is a car that still weighs only 3,100 lbs.  For context, is about the same as a Toyota Camry, except with 1,500 more horsepower and about 1,500 times cooler.

The removable carbon-fiber roof panel is lightweight and manually secured, meaning you’ll need to physically lift it off and store it before you go for a topless joyride. Let’s be honest though, if you’re dropping a cool $3 million on a hypercar, you can probably afford an assistant to handle that for you.

Under the Hood (Or, More Accurately, Behind Your Head)

Hennessey didn’t mess with the engine when they made the roadster version, and thank goodness for that. This beast is still powered by one of the most absurd engines ever put in a road-legal car.

Specs That Sound Made Up:

• Engine: 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged V8
• Power: 1,817 horsepower @ 8,000 rpm
• Torque: 1,193 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm
• 0-60 mph: Under 3 seconds (estimated)
• Top Speed: 300+ mph (estimated, but nobody’s had the balls to verify… yet)
• Transmission: 7-speed automated single-clutch transmission
• Weight: 3,100 lbs

If you’re wondering how this thing can be so fast, just remember that it makes more horsepower than a Formula 1 car while weighing about the same as a base Honda Civic. The power-to-weight ratio is off the charts, and with rear-wheel drive, you’d better be on good terms with your insurance company before you unleash it.

Oh, and if you’re curious about how it sounds, imagine a fighter jet being attacked by an entire hive of angry hornets. The Venom F5 Roadster’s exhaust note is brutal, raw, and almost comically aggressive, which is exactly what you’d expect (and want) from a car that exists purely to embarrass Bugatti and Koenigsegg.

How It Drives: Are You Brave Enough?

Driving the Venom F5 Roadster is not for the faint of heart. There’s no all-wheel drive to save your buns if things go sideways. No advanced hybrid system to smooth out power delivery. Just raw, twin-turbo V8 fury sent directly to the wide rear wheels.

Hennessey offers different driving modes, including:

• Sport – For when you want to be aggressive but not suicidal.
• Wet – For those rare occasions when you realize that 1,800+ horsepower on wet pavement is a bad idea.
• Track – For full-on lunacy.
• Drag – If you ever feel like destroying everything at a stoplight.
• F5 Mode – A setting designed to unlock the car’s full potential and only available on a closed course (because Hennessey doesn’t want lawsuits).

The steering is razor-sharp, and thanks to the carbon-fiber chassis, the car remains incredibly stiff even without a fixed roof. That said, it’s still a roadster, so expect some wind turbulence at, say, 300 mph.

Interior: No Nonsense, Just Speed

If you’re expecting Bentley-level luxury, you’re in the wrong hypercar. The Venom F5 Roadster is all about weight savings, which means the interior is functional but minimalist.

Inside the Beast:

• Bare-Bones Dashboard: You get a digital display, a few toggle switches, and not much else.
• Yoke-Style Steering Wheel: Because normal steering wheels are for regular people.
• Carbon Fiber Everywhere: Lightweight, race-inspired, and expensive-looking.
• Apple CarPlay & Android Auto: Because even the wealthy need navigation.

There’s no giant touchscreen, no fancy pants massaging seats, and definitely no cupholders. This is a car built to go fast, not to make your morning coffee run comfortable.

Venom F5 Roadster vs. Venom F5 Coupe

So, is there any real difference between the Roadster and the Coupe besides the missing roof? Not much.

Hennessey has done an impressive job maintaining the performance and stiffness of the car despite removing the roof. It’s really just a matter of whether you want wind in your hair or not.

What Else Can You Buy for $3 Million?

The Venom F5 Roadster is in rare company. Here’s what else you might consider if you have hypercar money:

Bugatti Mistral

• 1,578 hp W16 quad-turbo engine
• 260+ mph top speed
• $5 million
• More refined, but heavier and not as wild as the Venom F5.

Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut

• 1,600 hp twin-turbo V8
• Predicted 330 mph top speed
• $3.5 million
• Better aerodynamics, but less raw and brutal than the Hennessey.

Pagani Utopia Roadster

• 852 hp twin-turbo V12
• $2.5 million
• Artistic, luxurious, but nowhere near as extreme as the Venom F5.

What We Wish Was Different

We love the Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster, but no car is perfect, and so here’s what could be better:

1. The Price – At $3 million, you’re paying a premium for the Roadster experience.
2. The Single-Clutch Transmission – For a hypercar in 2025, a DCT may be smoother.
3. No Roof Storage – The carbon-fiber top doesn’t fit anywhere in the car.

Verdict: Insanity in Convertible Form

The Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster is absolutely ridiculous in all the best ways. It’s loud, terrifying, brutally fast, and completely impractical.  This isn’t a minivan though and it’s exactly what a hypercar should be.

So, what do you think? Would you risk your hairline for 300+ mph of open-air insanity? Drop a comment below and let’s hear your thoughts!