World's First LS9 Powered Camaro

[mikecentola]

Normally the twisting of an ignition key doesn't constitute news here at Autoblog, but this is one of the few exceptions. Back in January, Hennessey Performance announced the HPE700, a concoction born from the combination of an LS9 supercharged V8 from a ZR1 and a 2010 Camaro. The Texas-based company only recently shoe-horned the engine into the engine bay. A video camera was on when it was finally time to start the newly created monster, and the sound is nothing short of amazing. The result of open headers plus what appears to be a fairly aggressive cam makes for a sound that has the hairs on the backs of our necks standing on end.






VIDEO: Commencing countdown, engine on for LS9-powered Hennessey HPE700

[MikeyB.]

i Just came....I think i see jesus.

[Weaksauce]

Wow thats the first new camaro that I actually like!

[xceebeex]

Originally Posted by Weaksauce

Wow thats the first new camaro that I actually like!

I was wondering how long it would take for this comment to come out. Other than a portion of the motor bulging out from the hood (which I am not even sure that it actually does, the first photo may be a photoshop because in the pic with the hood up, I don't see an obvious cutout), its basically the same exact car appearance wise. That car definitely puts down a lot of power, but typically anything Hennessey does is way overpriced. I think the base price of that car is a little over $100K and you can EASILY achieve the HP numbers they are getting for FAR less.

[mikecentola]

I'm pretty sure the first pic is photoshopped, and I think it looks decent. I can't get by the looks of a regular new camaro. they're just ugly.

[xceebeex]

Originally Posted by mikecentola

I'm pretty sure the first pic is photoshopped, and I think it looks decent. I can't get by the looks of a regular new camaro. they're just ugly.

What do you think is different enough in that photoshop to make that look decent, but the "regular" camaro ugly? They are almost identical.

[mikecentola]

well at a minimum the wider flares, carbon accents and body kit, the front grill, etc... i drive by two on the lot by my office every day and they're just so ugmo

[xceebeex]

Originally Posted by mikecentola

well at a minimum the wider flares, carbon accents and body kit, the front grill, etc... i drive by two on the lot by my office every day and they're just so ugmo

Well I am assuming you are referring to the photoshop version and not the real Hennessey version then because the actual Hennessey version is a regular camaro with a LS9 crammed in. Just look at the picture with the hood up, you can see the normal fenders and the same exact grill that is on the normal camaro.

And to be honest, I think it is the same fenders in the photoshop version as well. I think the hockey stripe just accents it more to appear wider. So I think the only differences in the photoshop are the carbon accents/body kit and the motor sticking out of the hood.

Here is an actual production SS. You can see the fenders and grill and they appear to be the same to me.

[mikecentola]

not sure what you're trying to get me to say lol, but the photoshop one looks good, the ones on the lot look dumb. just going by what i see

[xceebeex]

Originally Posted by mikecentola

not sure what you're trying to get me to say lol, but the photoshop one looks good, the ones on the lot look dumb. just going by what i see

My point is that it is amazing what a piece of vinyl and body kit can do to change ones opinion on the overall appearance of the car. Its the exact same car you are seeing on the lot just most likely not the same color and probably without the vinyl.

[mikecentola]

why wouldn't it change my opinion? All I was saying was that it is ugly stock. That stock SS is hideous. Lowering it, some aero and vinyl make it look much better in my opinion. Is it better than the challenger? no. But I would much rather drive a used porsche for the same money as either of these cars.

[xceebeex]

Originally Posted by mikecentola

why wouldn't it change my opinion? All I was saying was that it is ugly stock. That stock SS is hideous. Lowering it, some aero and vinyl make it look much better in my opinion. Is it better than the challenger? no. But I would much rather drive a used porsche for the same money as either of these cars.

I understand what you are saying. I would probably lower it as well and throw on some hockey stripes, but I guess what I am getting at is people bash it because they say it is ugly yet by adding some minor things which does nothing to the lines or shape of the vehicle it all of a sudden looks much better to the point where they say they like it.

Just seems strange to me. That is all. BTW, its actually selling real well thus far as well. Believe it or not almost all of the sales are for the SS.

[Moruitelda]

You can do whatever you like to try to convince someone that their aesthetic view of something is irrational, or downright wrong, but you'll never win.

I agree; I don't like the Camaro, but I like the way this one looks. If it's just vinyl and lowering, be that as it may.

[xceebeex]

Originally Posted by Moruitelda

You can do whatever you like to try to convince someone that their aesthetic view of something is irrational, or downright wrong, but you'll never win.

I agree; I don't like the Camaro, but I like the way this one looks. If it's just vinyl and lowering, be that as it may.

Yup, sometimes people's thoughts are irrational.

You would think that people would say something like, "If only that was lowered it would look hot" or "All that needs is some vinyl and it would look good."