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Camaro Hennessey, originally uploaded by Dream-cars.tv

Okay, so maybe I’m putting the cart a little before the horse to be talking about an upgraded version of the 2010 Camaro before the base design has even been released to the public, but I just can’t help it. The HPE700 is what you get when you combine the mind of John Hennessey, the power of ZR-1 Corvette, and the classic styling of the Camaro SS.

I am going to be frank here and say that there is probably only one portion of the HPE700 that some consumers may not appreciate… the hood mounted, clear, Plexiglas engine window. They had to give it something to make it unique. They could have gone with a corny fake scoop or maybe a few engine cooling louvers, but I think they made a good compromise. The beautiful LS9 is worthy enough to be featured on the 2010 Camaro without any hood at all.

So what makes the HPE700 so unique besides the clear hood window and an LS9 engine (as if that wouldn’t be enough)? A supercharged 705 horsepower and 717 lb-ft of torque for starters. The LS9 is a street-legal race car engine in itself, but tweaking a few parameters here and there has created a street monster, which we can only imagine would prove to make some serious numbers on the drag strip.

Add on the 15 inch brakes (a necessity for any 700-plus horsepower giant) and a few carbon fiber aerodynamic goodies and you have just created the supreme arch nemesis of the Mustang GT500KR. But at a price tag of a few nickels over $109,499, you might find yourself in more than a doghouse after buying it… you might find yourself living in the Camaro permanently! But I can certainly think of worse things…

PRESS RELEASE:

HENNESSEY PERFORMANCE ENGINEERING ANNOUNCES LIMITED EDITION 705 HP LS9 POWERPLANT FOR THE 2010 CAMARO

Extreme Performance Makeover Transforms the 2010 Camaro from Muscle Car to Super Car!

SEALY, TX – Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE), well known for their extreme performance sports cars and muscle cars, announces their Limited Edition 2010 HPE700 Camaro.

At the heart of the beast is GM’s new LS9 supercharged V8 tweaked as only HPE could to 705 horsepower and 717 lb-ft torque. To qualify as a supercar under the HPE banner it can’t just go, it has to whoa. With optional 15 inch carbon brakes from the stunning new Corvette ZR1, light weight HRE wheels with Michelin PS2 tires and full suspension upgrades the HPE700 Camaro will be able to make full use of its new found power.

In addition to the power and handling upgrades., Hennessey will also be offering an exterior aerodynamics package to improve downforce at high speed. Penned by British designer, Steve Everitt, Hennessey’s Cam-Aero ™ body upgrades include: Carbon fiber rear lip spoiler, carbon fiber side rocker panels, carbon fiber front splitter, front fascia with hideaway-look headlights and front billet grille. Completing the look of the HPE700 is a ZR1 inspired hood design with window showing off the Hennessey’s tweaked LS9 powerplant.

“The HPE700 Camaro allows our customers to combine supercar power and performance with classic American muscle car looks in a modern, daily-drive usable sportscar with a backseat and a trunk!,” said John Hennessey, President and CEO of Hennessey Performance Engineering. “We will be announcing other Hennessey turnkey vehicle packages for the 2010 Camaro in the near future along with an extensive list of aftermarket performance parts and accessories. But for now, the LS9-powered HPE700 Camaro, replete with ZR1 inspired looks and performance promises to be at the top of the American muscle car food chain later in 2009.

HPE700 buyers will also receive a 1-day performance driving course at Lonestar Motorsports Park – a ¼ mile dragstrip facility located adjacent to Hennessey’s 24,000 square foot production facility and showroom.

Hennessey is offering the first HPE700 Camaros exclusively to registered bidders at the 2009 Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ. Orders can be placed at the Hennessey display at the show or by phone or email beginning Tuesday, January 13 through Sunday, January 18, 2009. On Monday, January 19, 2009 the HPE700 Camaro will be available to the general public and can be ordered from select Chevrolet dealers as well as directly from Hennessey Performance Engineering.

Base price for the 2010 HPE700 Camaro is $109,500.

Located just west of Houston Texas at the Lonestar Motorsports Park complex, HPE has been building American supercars for nearly two decades with its Veyron-beating Venom Vipers, Ford GT’s and recently released Dodge Challengers.