Hennessey Performance modified Chevrolet SS

Hennessy have also applied their magic touch to Chevrolet's Camaro and Corvette, as well as the Silverado, Suburban and Tahoe pickups and SUVs, but the most interesting package, at least from an Australian perspective, is the one available for the latest Chevrolet SS sedan.

Those that know the new SS will also know that it's virtually an LHD clone of Holden's VF Commodore. Thus, the Hennessey SS upgrade packages present some very tempting options to local performance enthusiasts with the desire - and the chequebook - to turn their VF into something much more potent.

In the US, the stock Chverolet SS runs a 6.2-litre LS3 V8, producing 310kW through a HydraMatic six-speed auto. Hennessey takes this base and adds performance options from 354kW up to a brain-melting 745kW.

Hennessey offer six different packages - HPE475, HPE550, HPE 600 Supercharged, HPE650 Supercharged, HPE880 Twin Turbo and HPE1000 Twin Turbo - with the numerals referring to the brake horsepower each package produces. In kilowatts, that equals 354kW (HPE475), 410kW (HPE550), 447kW (HPE600 Supercharged), 485kW (HPE650 Supercharged), 596kW (HPE800 Twin Turbo) and 745kW (HPE1000 Twin Turbo). With the exception of the 475 and 550, all top our best (430kW) HSV in the power stakes.

While the 'Big Daddy' HPE1000 Twin Turbo package has been getting all the press of late, every Hennessey package is potent, with the supercharged 600 and 650 options arguably offering the best balance of raw power and on-road usability.

The SS/VF pictured, an auto trans-equipped model with the HPE600 Supercharged package, recently topped 260kph on a closed highway in Texas, ironically enough, in a test of the highway's speed cameras! Hennessey says the package is capable of more, but is limited by the car's gearing.

A quarter mile dragstrip test from the same car yielded 11.84 seconds @ 117 mph (187.2kph): not bad for a full-size sedan on stock wheels and tyres, with all interior, sound deadening, etc., still in place. This gives you an idea of the outright speed and acceleration these upgrades can deliver.

At the root of the 'HPE600 Supercharged' package is a TVS2300 supercharger matched to an air induction system of Hennessey's own design and manufacture. Other items in this package include a custom HPE pulley, injector and fuel system upgrades, HPE engine management recalibration, 160 degree thermostat and full dyno tune and test.

Individually-numbered dash and engine plaques personalise each vehicle, while others will know what you're packing under the bonnet thanks to subtle HPE600 exterior badges. The package also includes Hennessey premium floor mats and a 3-year Limited Warranty.

On top of this, Hennessey also offer options to best exploit that additional power in the form of transmission and driveline upgrades, header and exhaust upgrades, premium wheel and tyre packages, as well as brake and suspension upgrades.

Appearance and comfort options include lightweight CarbonAero body components, Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, carbon fibre trim, interior upgrades and more.

For Sale
The car shown here is for sale (at time of publication - May 17, 2014) through Hennessey Performance. Still in as-new condition and with only 1,500 miles covered since the conversion, the car is located in the US and the asking price is US$65,000.
(Australian/New Zealand buyers should consult their relevant licensing authority to confirm eligibility of the Hennessey HPE600 Supercharged conversion for legal road use)
Contact Hennessey Performance via www.hennesseyperformance.com for full specs and further details.

Hennessey Performance Chevrolet SS - upgrade specifications

Power:
_ 600 bhp @ 6,300 rpm

The HPE600 Supercharged Upgrade Includes:
_ TVS2300 Supercharger System
_ HPE Air Induction System
_ Custom HPE Pulley
_ Fuel System Upgrade
_ High Flow Fuel Injector Upgrade
_ 160 Degree Thermostat
_ Professional Installation
_ HPE Engine Management Calibration
_ Dyno Tuning & Road Testing
_ Hennessey HPE600 Exterior Badging
_ Serial-Numbered Dash & Engine Plaques
_ Hennessey Premium Floor Mats
_ 3 Year / 36,000 Mile Limited Warranty

Additional Appearance and Performance Options:
_ Premium Wheel & Tyre Packages
_ Suspension & Brake Upgrades
_ Transmission & Driveline Upgrades
_ Headers & Exhaust Upgrades
_ Custom Interior Upgrades
_ CarbonAero™ Body Components
_ Carbon Fibre Trim Accents
_ Alcantara Wrapped Steering Wheel
_ And Much More!

For more details on the HPE600 Supercharged and other Hennessey packages, go to: www.hennesseyperformance.com

Text: Mike Ryan Images: courtesy of Hennessey Performance