How do you determine if the tuned SUV can go fast enough? Race a supercar.
Hennessey is a well-known name in the tuning and aftermarket industry. The company’s goal has been to create powerful and fast creations by the Texas tuner.
Hennessey’s latest creation is the Cadillac Escalade upgraded with the HPE800 package. The SUV’s boxy exterior is capable of producing 742 horsepower at its rear wheels. This makes it a supercar. How do you know you have made a fast SUV already? You can race a supercar, or even better, challenge a Ferrari488 GTB in drag racing.
The 488 GTB looks very similar to the Hennessey Escalade, according to the spec sheet. Its twin-turbo, 3.9-liter twin-turbo engine produces 661 horsepower and 561 pound-feet. Getrag’s seven-speed F1 dual clutch gearbox sends these output figures to the rear wheels.
The HPE800 Escalade produces more power – 742 horsepower at the rear wheels and 805 horsepower at the flywheel. The flywheel also gives 812 lbft of torque. These numbers allow the Hennessey Escalade to go from a standstill to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.
Although the Ferrari seems to have a clear advantage in terms of power, it appears that the Hennesseytune Escalade has the edge when it comes weight. It will be interesting to see which car is fastest in straight-line races.
To find out, watch the video at the top of this page. Although the results are not conclusive, it is still amazing how an SUV can keep up to a supercar. At least, in a drag race. If this were on a track, and we’re comparing lap speeds, it’s a completely different story.