Hennessey has gone against the grain with its latest hypercar, unveiling the Hennessey Blackbird as an analogue-focused flagship that swaps turbochargers, touchscreens, and dual-clutch gearboxes for a naturally aspirated V8, a six-speed gated manual transmission, and a traditional ignition key.

The Texas-based tuning company and sports car manufacturer says the Blackbird isn't a replacement for the Venom F5, but instead complements it by prioritising what it calls "maximum man-machine connection" over outright speed records.

Despite its old-school philosophy, the numbers remain firmly in hypercar territory.

Developed with Ilmor Engineering, the all-new 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 is projected to produce between 597kW and 634kW, rev beyond 9000rpm, and send drive exclusively to the rear wheels through an exposed six-speed gated manual gearbox.

Hennessey is targeting a 0-60mph (0-97km/h) sprint of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 354km/h.

The Blackbird takes its name and much of its design inspiration from the iconic Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft.

A bespoke carbon-fibre monocoque and carbon-fibre body are expected to keep dry weight below 1360kg.

Its long proportions, sharp body-side lines, and active vertical rear stabilisers all reference the legendary spy plane.

The stabilisers automatically deploy at 114km/h and angle to 71 degrees – a nod to the SR-71 designation – while a diamond-shaped quad exhaust draws inspiration from the Bell X-1, the first aircraft to break the sound barrier.

Unlike almost every modern hypercar, the Blackbird's cabin deliberately avoids digital displays.

Instead of an infotainment touchscreen or digital instrument cluster, drivers get a large central analogue tachometer, physical switches, exposed pedal and gear-linkage mechanisms, and a conventional key to start the engine.

Navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are instead handled through the driver's smartphone, which mounts in a dedicated holder rather than being integrated into a built-in display.

Hennessey says the decision wasn't just about reducing distractions. The company wanted to create a hypercar that wouldn't become technologically obsolete as software and displays age.

Rather than being a stripped-out track special, the Blackbird has also been engineered with long-distance touring in mind.

Hennessey claims it can comfortably cover more than 1287km in a single day thanks to adaptive suspension, improved refinement, extra cabin storage, four cupholders, and luggage space for two carry-on bags.

The cabin is also larger than the Venom F5's, with improved visibility and distinctive gullwing doors making everyday usability a key part of the brief.

Production will be limited to just 71 examples worldwide, with pricing starting from US$2.5 million (~NZ$4.2 million) before taxes.

"Blackbird isn't just the next chapter in the Hennessey story, it represents the beginning of a new book," said company founder and CEO John Hennessey.

"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."

Customer deliveries are expected between 2029 and 2030, with Hennessey confirming more than two-thirds of the production run has already been allocated ahead of the Blackbird's public debut at The Quail motoring event in California later this month.

Hennessey Blackbird revealed with 9000rpm V8, manual 'box and no screens

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