Review Hennessey HPE700 Chevrolet Camaro

Chevrolet Camaro

Red Chevrolet Camaro

As a complete package with more than a sentimental connection to the fastest Corvette in history, this beast stands head-and-shoulders above HPE’s other superhero Camaros and, for some, perhaps even above the living legend that inspired it. Indeed, the Hennessey HPE700 is a special automobile that delivers an unforgettable performance experience, along with the sort of curbside amperage normally reserved for Porsche GT2s, Lamborghini Murciélagos, and Nissan GT-Rs. So we can deal with the occasional hard plastic bit and so-so leather upholstery. Then again, the sounds that fill said cabin are not reproducible by anything at this price, including the ZR1.

However, materials that are merely questionable at the $25,000 level suddenly seem very low rent at the $120,000 asking price for this car, even with the carbon-fiber trim pieces Hennessey adds for good measure. The cabin remains largely stock, which is okay, since the Camaro’s interior isn’t totally terrible. We doubt anyone will really miss that, however, as the HPE700 hardly needs any help making a statement. Initial renderings had also shown a cool ZR1-like plastic window in the hood to display the supercharger assembly, but according to Hennessey, the engine’s lower mounting point in the Camaro’s engine bay made it hard to see through the aperture, so the idea was scrapped. Specific ZR1-isms include its full skirt of unpainted carbon-fiber aero extensions; lacy, thin-spoked racing wheels; and in the case of this particular example, the ZR1’s “launch” color scheme: Cyber Gray metallic paint with blue accents, the latter coming in the form of hockey-stick fender stripes and matching brake calipers.

Indeed, to some of us, the muscle-bound, chiseled-faced HPE700 looks more sinister than the bright-eyed ZR1 Corvette to which much of its visual mods pay homage. But you wouldn’t know it by looking. More Menacing Than the ZR1 So we learned that this dragon can be tamed. A big, brash, loud, thirsty hoot. Yeah, this thing is a hoot.

As for fuel economy, we didn’t measure it in our limited time, but we seemed to go through fuel at the pace of about a quarter-tank every half-hour. Maximum grip is 1.01 g, according to Hennessey, and the arresting power of the huge six-piston front and four-piston rear Brembo brakes is stupendous (and certainly reassuring). Yet we remained in a constant state of disbelief at the suspension’s ability to allow so much driver control over all that power. Aside from some noticeable fidgetiness at triple digits, the HPE700 felt as comfortable as any factory Camaro we’ve sampled, and its low-speed ride quality is quite hospitable. The HPE700’s steering remains as light and precise as that of the stock Camaro SS, in spite of the HPE’s wider, 20-inch front wheels with 275/35-series rubber.

Much credit goes to HPE’s suspension modifications, which snap the car down via adjustable KW coil-overs and upgraded front and rear anti-roll bars. Tail-out antics are ultra-fun and easily controlled. Now, with so much torque ever ready to unglue the rear end, the steering wheel becomes—how shall we say this?—less necessary for the purposes of rotating the vehicle around turns.