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Breaking News: Hennessey Takes the Jeep Gladiator to the Next Level

Hennessey has established itself in the high-performance car and truck market for years, earning recognition for its powerful modifications and bespoke vehicles. The company has even ventured into the hypercar realm, producing its own models under the highly regarded Venom F5 brand, which showcases its commitment to speed and engineering excellence.

Now, the Texas-based automotive powerhouse is taking an exciting new direction by expanding its focus to the defense sector. They’ve recently announced a new offering based on the Jeep Gladiator, aiming to combine their expertise in performance with the growing demand for specialized vehicles in military and tactical applications, according to Hennessey. 

This move reflects Hennessey’s ambition to innovate and adapt its engineering prowess to serve a broader range of clients, emphasizing durability and capability alongside its signature high-performance attributes.

It's known as the Warhawk, described as "the ultimate strike-force vehicle for military, police, and sportsmen," Car Buzz said.

The company has established a new division called Hennessey Defense Systems to manage this vehicle and any similar future projects. The official debut of the new vehicle is set for January 21 at the 2025 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, according to Car Buzz. 

The Warhawk is engineered from the latest Gladiator Rubicon and features a robust 3.6-liter V6 engine that delivers 285 horsepower. With a payload capacity of 1,200 lbs and the ability to tow up to 4,500 lbs, it’s built to handle tough tasks. 

While Hennessey vehicles typically see significant power upgrades, the focus here isn’t on speed—after all, drag racing isn’t on the agenda for the battlefield, Car Buzz said. 

Instead, Hennessey provides a specialized fuel system conversion that enables the Warhawk to run on diesel or kerosene-based fuels, making it particularly suited for remote environments, duPont Registry wrote.

Hennessey has opted out of performance tuning, prioritizing the vehicle's ease of serviceability. Nonetheless, there are several noteworthy upgrades. The drivetrain is reinforced with armored shielding, and the standard tires have been swapped out for run-flat ones, according to Hennessey. 

Additionally, mounting points for weapons have been integrated, which can also accommodate reconnaissance equipment or medical supplies.