Hennessey Blackbird Revealed with 6.2-Litre Naturally Aspirated V8 and Manual Gearbox, Limited to Just 71 Units

Hennessey has taken the wraps off its newest flagship supercar, the Blackbird, and it's unlike most modern performance cars. At a time when many supercars are switching to turbocharged or hybrid powertrains, the Texas-based manufacturer has chosen a different path by giving the Blackbird a high-revving naturally aspirated V8 engine and a six-speed manual transmission. Inspired by the iconic Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird aircraft, the new model combines classic driving thrills with modern engineering.

Key Highlights:

At the heart of the Hennessey Blackbird is a newly developed 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine, created in partnership with Ilmor Engineering. The engine is expected to produce between 811bhp and 861bhp and rev beyond 9,000 rpm.

Power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox with a gated shifter, making the Blackbird one of the few modern supercars to offer a true analogue driving experience.

Hennessey says the Blackbird will weigh under 3,000 pounds (dry weight) thanks to an all-new full carbon-fibre monocoque chassis and carbon-fibre body panels. The supercar rides on exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres.

If the claimed figures are achieved, the Blackbird will sprint from 0-60 mph in around 2.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 220 mph.

The Blackbird's design takes inspiration from fighter aircraft. It features a roof scoop, flying buttresses, large side air intakes, an aggressive rear diffuser and quad exhaust outlets. Active rear aerodynamic flaps deploy automatically at 71 mph at a 71-degree angle, while drivers can also operate them manually.

The car's styling blends modern supercar proportions with several aviation-inspired details, including high-mounted wing mirrors and aircraft-style switchgear.

Unlike many modern supercars filled with digital displays, the Blackbird adopts a minimalist interior. It features five analogue gauges, including a prominent 10,000-rpm tachometer, along with plenty of physical buttons and switches.

The cabin also gets an overhead console with the engine start button, aviation-inspired controls, a rotary drive mode selector, and even four cup holders despite being a two-seater. Storage space has also been improved with front luggage space and rear luggage pods.

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Hennessey will continue building the Venom F5 until 2028, after which production of the Blackbird will begin in 2029. The company plans to build just 71 examples worldwide, each priced at $2.5 million before taxes.

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Unlike some limited-production hypercars, the Blackbird has been homologated for global markets, meaning it will be available to customers outside the United States as well.