By: Dave Abrahams
Sealy, Texas - The lone star state is one place where bigger is still always better, especially when it comes to muscle-cars, steaks and speed limits.
So when John Hennessey wanted to celebrate 25 years in the performance tuning game, this is what he came up with: The (very) limited-edition HPE800 Mustang GT.
Just 25 examples will be made of the most extreme Houston Pony Car yet, boasting 590kW at 7000 revs and 880Nm and 4400rpm - good enough for a 0-100km/h launch in 3.1 seconds, a standing quarter-mile (402 metres, if you voted against Brexit) in 10.7 and a top speed of 325km/h.
That's a whopping 270kW and 340Nm more than the standard five-litre Mustang GT - close to double, in fact. As with the earlier HPE700 and HPE750 conversions, Hennessey starts by bolting on a 2.9-litre supercharger, fed by high-volume carbon fibre induction plumbing and breathing out through a completely new, free-breathing (read loud, Texas style) exhaust system.
Amplified downforce
The HPE800 also gets a bigger fuel pump and upgraded injectors, a higher-voltage ignition system and re-mapped ECU software. Ride height is lowered by bolting on KW Variant 2 coilover shocks, braking is by Italian Brembo callipers on 380mm discs and the standard 19 inch rims make way for 20 inch Hennessey hoops wearing 275/30 Michelin Pilot Super Sports.
Downforce is amplified by a carbon-fibre aero kit that includes a new front splitter, rear wing and side sills, bragging rights by special go-fast stripes, bootlid badging, custom floor mats (we don't know why, but no performance conversion is complete without these) and the Hennessey logo embroidered on the head restraints.
Hennessey will carry out the HPE500 conversion on any current Ford Mustang GT - manual or auto, coupé or convertible - although we would have serious concerns about inflicting that much power and torque on a topless chassis. Price on application - and remember, you have to send Hennessey the car first.
Although the Mustang is now available in right-hand drive, there’s no word yet as to whether Hennessey Performance conversions will be available to South African muscle-car enthusiasts. Nevertheless, it’s fun to daydream about...