1200bhp Venom GT launched

This is the 262mph, 1000bhp Hennessey Venom GT, a supercar based on the Lotus Elise.

Very little of the original Lotus now remains from the bulkhead back, since an entirely new rear subframe assembly is required to slot the V8 and six-speed gearbox into the small car.

The adjustments to the Elise chassis are conducted at a facility in Silverstone, England, ahead of the rest of the work being completed by Hennessey Performance in Texas..

The Venom GT is powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the Corvette LS9 engine. Hennessey will sell the car in three states of tune.

The base model has 725bhp and 741lb ft of torque. Twin-turbocharged motors are being developed, one producing 1000bhp and 900lb ft of twist and another with 1200bhp and 1100lb ft. The engines link to a six-speed Ricardo gearbox with a programmable traction control system.

Specific 0-60mph times haven't been released, but Hennessey says all variants hit 0-60mph in "under three seconds" and the top speed is "over 200mph".

The Venom GT is stopped by 15-inch carbon rotors with six-piston calipers up front and 14-inch carbon rotors with four-pot calipers at the rear.

The Venom GT is expected to run in public for the first time at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed. Just 10 cars will be built per year. Hennessey says four have already been sold. Every buyer will get a one-day course on how to drive the car.