Ever feel like a five-speed manual and a hint of VTEC aren’t scratching that primal petrolhead itch? Enter the Hennessey Venom F5-M Roadster, a mechanical beast armed with a six-speed open-gated manual transmission, instantly crowning it as the most powerful manual production car in the world. Only 12 units will see the light of day, and, surprise surprise, they’re already sold out—each commanding over €2.3 million.

Underneath, the monstrous twin-turbo ‘Fury’ V8 continues to churn out 1,354 kW (1,817 hp) and 1,618 Nm of torque, all funneling their raw energy to the rear wheels. What’s new? The gearing. It’s been tweaked so you won’t unleash the car’s full fury until fourth gear, delivering a progressive, rather than an instant, explosion of power—a nod to old-school driving finesse over brute force.

John Hennessey, speaking to TopGear.com, put it plainly: “It’s a true manual. When you engage the clutch, there’s a physical cable connecting directly to the transmission. No electronics interpreting your actions—it’s pure, analogue connection. We’ve always felt a manual puts the driver at the heart of the car’s soul, a feeling our customers have been clamoring for since day one.”

Official performance figures for 0-100 km/h or top speed with this new setup remain hush-hush, but don’t rule out an attempt to reclaim the Venom GT Spyder’s 427 km/h (265.6 mph) record this winter. And if 400 km/h (250 mph) runs with the roof off sound like your kind of chaos, Hennessey says the new dorsal fin, which is part of a suite of exterior tweaks, adds that extra dose of high-speed stability.

“The F5-M is all about the drive, not just chasing lap times,” says Hennessey. “It’s the most engaging and immersive machine we’ve ever built.”

That 1.4-meter dorsal fin? It’s not just there for drama—it’s joined by a new roof scoop and thinner carbon canards integrated into the front splitter, refining both the aerodynamics and the aggressive aesthetic. Even the wheels get a makeover with a satin finish, and a fresh livery sporting dual central stripes with contrasting highlights runs the length of the car, adding a visual flair that matches the Venom’s performance ethos.

Inside, Hennessey has kept things raw and driver-focused, the centrepiece being a billet aluminium and carbon gear stick that’s as tactile as it is stylish. Air vents have been re-engineered and dressed in carbon, with window switches inspired by jet fighters—a cockpit designed to put you squarely in command of every wild, unfiltered moment.

For those lucky 12 owners, the Venom F5-M isn’t just a car—it’s a connection to a bygone era of pure, mechanical driving. And with the kind of firepower it’s packing, it’s safe to say the manual gearbox is back with a bang.