If you have left buying your Christmas tree to the very last minute, Hennessey has a rapid delivery solution.
The Texas-based tuning firm and hypercar manufacturer has released details of its latest high-speed Christmas Tree Run, making use of a new 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.
By reaching an astonishing 196mph, Hennessey has broken its own record – set in 2022 with a modified Venom 1000 Ford Mustang.
A maximum of almost 200 mph would be impressive by itself, let alone with a 5.5-foot (1.7-meter) Christmas tree strapped to the roof. More than 200 lights were wrapped around the tree for good measure.
The practical American supercar?
Revealed last year, the Chevrolet Corvette C8 ZR1 is the first turbocharged production model in the all-American sports car’s history.
Its twin-turbo 5.5-liter flat-plane V-8 generates 1,064 hp, along with 828 lb-ft of torque. The C8 ZR1 can blitz a quarter-mile in 9.6 seconds.
The latest Hennessey Christmas Tree Run was staged on the runway at Chase Field in Beeville, TX, with professional driver Spencer Geswein behind the wheel.
With a new record set, Hennessey also tested the C8 ZR1 ZTK Track Pack-equipped Corvette without a tree attached. This saw an impressive 206 mph reached before Geswein ran out of runway.
Fast, loud, and festive
Alex Roys, recently confirmed as Hennessey’s new president, said: “Hennessey’s Christmas Tree Run has evolved from a crazy little holiday stunt into one of the most fun traditions. Every year we strap a tree to something a little wilder and a little faster.
“It’s the kind of event that reminds you why this whole thing started… because cars should be loud, fun, and just a little bit unhinged. Running the 2026 Corvette ZR1 was a perfect finale to another amazing year for the Hennessey team.”
The first Hennessey Christmas Tree Run was held in 2017, with the tuning firm using a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody to reach 174 mph.
In 2021, the company hit 183 mph in a modified Audi RS6 Avant owned by the wife of company founder, John Hennessey.
Pushing the limits of festive fun
Since starting the Christmas Tree Run in 2017, Hennessey has tried to up the performance stakes each time. The full list of cars tasked with festive deliveries includes:
- 2017 – Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody – 174 mph
- 2019 – Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (HPE1000) – 181 mph
- 2020 – Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang – 182 mph
- 2021 – Audi RS6 Avant – 183 mph
- 2021 – Porsche 911 Turbo S – 175 mph
- 2022 – Venom 1000 Ford Mustang – 192 mph
- 2025 – Chevrolet C8 Corvette ZR1 – 196 mph
Given the trend, next year could potentially see a Hennessey driver reach more than 200 mph while carrying a Christmas tree. Watch this space.
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