SEALY, Texas (August 3, 2026) – Hennessey Special Vehicles has officially unveiled its third hypercar, the Hennessey Blackbird. Drawing inspiration from the legendary Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird aircraft, this aerospace-themed touring hypercar takes a sharp turn away from the hyper-digitized, turbocharged norm to focus on pure analog driver engagement.

“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.

“From the beginning, Blackbird was guided by a simple idea: to deliver an analog experience where beauty and drama define every moment. This is not a numbers car. We set out to create an unparalleled emotional experience, from the first time you see it to the moment you take the wheel and feel the connection between driver and machine.”

– John Hennessey, Company Founder and CEO

An analog heart with a high-revving V8
At the core of the Blackbird sits a brand-new, naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine co-developed with Ilmor Engineering. Targeting 800 to 850 horsepower and a redline above 9,000 rpm, Hennessey aims to set the record for the most powerful and highest-revving naturally aspirated road-car V8 in existence.

Power is sent strictly to the rear wheels via a classic six-speed gated manual transmission. Hennessey estimates a 0–60 mph sprint in 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 220 mph.

Built for long-distance grand touring
Unlike the track-focused Venom F5, the Blackbird is designed around comfort and usability. Built on a bespoke full-carbon tub with carbon-fiber bodywork, the vehicle targets a dry weight under 3,000 pounds.

Key design and functional features include:

  • SR-71 aircraft styling: Features a prominent body-side chine line and active vertical rear stabilizers that deploy automatically at 71 mph.
  • Screen-free cockpit: The interior completely eschews digital touchscreens in favor of physical controls and tactile feedback.
  • Touring practicalities: Engineered to handle 800-mile daily drives, offering gullwing doors, expanded cabin space, four cup holders, and room for two full-size carry-on bags.

Pricing and availability
Production will be strictly limited to 71 units worldwide, with a base price of $2.5 million before taxes. Over two-thirds of the allocation is already spoken for ahead of its public debut at The Quail in California. Deliveries are scheduled to begin between 2029 and 2030.