Hennessey Blackbird Revealed As A Screen-Free, High-Revving, Manual Homage To The Iconic Spy Plane

American hypercar manufacturer Hennessey Special Vehicles has unveiled the Blackbird, its third hypercar after the Venom GT and Venom F5. The Hennessey Blackbird is built around a naturally aspirated V8 and a six-speed manual gearbox and it is named after the fastest aircraft to ever to take to the size, the Lockheed Martin SR71 Blackbird.

Where the Venom F5 chased outright speed, the new Hennessey Blackbird is pitched as its opposite number, prioritising driver engagement over record numbers. Just 71 units will be built, priced from $2.5 million before taxes, with customer deliveries beginning in 2029.

Hennessey Blackbird Revealed: The Mechanical Bits

At the core of the Hennessey Blackbird is an all-new 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 co-developed with Ilmor Engineering, expected to rev past 9,000rpm. Hennessey says it will be the most powerful and highest-revving naturally aspirated road-car V8 built, sending drive exclusively to the rear wheels through an open-gate six-speed manual with an exposed shift linkage. Hennessey is targeting a 800-850bhp power output and a 354km/h (220mph) top speed for the Blackbird.

The Hennessey Blackbird will feature a bespoke full-carbon tub and carbon-fibre bodywork to keep dry weight below 1360kg (3000lb). Adaptive suspension, ABS and traction control are fitted alongside Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres on two unique wheel designs, enabling a 0-60mph (0-97kmph) time of 2.5 seconds. The Blackbird's top speed of 354km/h (220mph) still falls short of the McLaren F1's record 386km/h (240.1mph) mark from 1998.

Hennessey Blackbird Revealed: Design & Features

The design of the Hennessey Blackbird draws directly from the Lockheed SR-71 spy plane, whose name Hennessey has acquired trademark rights to use for the car. A long stance, crisp body-side chine line and active vertical stabilisers all reference the legendary spy aircraft, with the stabilisers deploying automatically at 114km/h (71mph) and tilting up to 71 degrees.

Other highlights like the Bell X-1-inspired diamond exhaust detailing, Formula One-style side pods and LMP1-inspired winglets add further motorsport touches, while the gullwing doors help ease cabin access. Hennessey has also fitted a traditional ignition key, doing away with the keyless start systems common on rival hypercars.

Inside, the Hennessey Blackbird's cabin skips a central touchscreen entirely, relying on a smartphone mount for navigation and infotainment instead. A large analogue tachometer forms the visual focal point and is joined by exposed carbon fibre trim, visible pedal linkages and a steering wheel left free of any buttons or switches.

Cabin space exceeds that of the Venom F5, with a front storage area for two full-size carry-on bags plus additional rear-quarter and in-cabin storage. Hennessey says the layout, combined with adaptive suspension and low NVH targets, lets the Hennessey Blackbird comfortably cover more than 1,287km (800 miles) in a single day.

John Hennessey, founder and CEO of Hennessey Special Vehicles, said:"Blackbird isn't just the next chapter in the Hennessey story, it represents the beginning of a new book. Our third hypercar, Blackbird, is unexpected by design, yet it's exactly what I wanted to create and what our customers have been asking for. Challenging expectations has always been part of our DNA."

Hennessey Blackbird Revealed: Price And Production

Hennessey will build just 71 examples, priced from $2.5 million before taxes. More than two-thirds of the run has already been allocated ahead of the car's public debut at The Quail concours in California on August 14.

Customer production is set to begin in Texas from 2029, overlapping with the final Venom F5 units, which are expected to wrap up around 2028. Hennessey has confirmed the new hypercar will be homologated for key global markets once deliveries begin.