Hennessey Performance has debuted what it’s describing as the most powerful four-seat car available — the 2013 Hennessey VR1200 Twin Turbo Coupe. Based on the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, the team at HPE removes the 556 bhp factory supercharged V8 and replaces it with a de-tuned version of their Venom GT supercar engine. The VR1200’s 7.0L twin turbo V8 engine produces 1,224 bhp.
The 2013 Hennessey VR1200 Twin Turbo comes is priced at $295,000 plus shipping costs. This includes the cost of the base Cadillac CTS-V. HPE plans to build only 12 vehicles for the 2013 model year. The VR1200 Twin Turbo is available as a 2-door Coupe or 4-door sedan as well as the ultra exclusive Sport Wagon.
Three of the twelve vehicles have already been spoken for. Two of which are going to Hennessey’s exclusive dealer for the middle east – KAR Performance.
“I’ve owned several Cadillac CTS-Vs over the past few years, all of them modified to 700+ hp”, said company founder, John Hennessey. “But I wanted to build something really special and much more powerful. One day I was testing our 1244 hp Venom GT and thought that it would be fun to have a larger version of our supercar with seating for 4-5. That’s how the idea of the VR1200 Twin Turbo came about.”
The VR1200 produces a massive amount of torque with 964 lb-ft of twist going to the rear wheels. To harness the power, the team at HPE designed a carbon fiber wide body includes wider fender flairs allowing 345/30-YR20 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires in the rear matched with 275/30-YR tires up front.
The Hennessey CarbonAero wide-body upgrade widens the rear of the vehicle by 7 inches and the front by 3 inches. Hennessey’s 3-piece wheels from HRE are combined with 20×13 inch rims on the rear and 19×10 inch rims in the front.
Adititionally, there’s lowered suspension system, upgraded driveline components and a special dual clutch Centerforce clutch. The VR1200 has a fully bespoken interior with appointed leather and Alcantara material with custom stitching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RTpw4MIdVc
Article Last Updated: September 7, 2012.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.