We knew already that the Ford Ranger Raptor wasn’t as powerful as it could be. In Australia the twin turbo V6 gets another 100hp over the 292hp offered in Europe, because of regulations and whatnot. So there’s undoubtedly tuning potential in the engine, potential that Hennessey has, predictably enough, run with. This one has more than 500hp, as well as 550lb ft. Hennessey’s mantra is ‘making fast cars faster’, after all, so they’re certainly doing as advertised…
The VelociRaptor 500 Ranger is based on the US-market car, which is rated at 410hp and 430lb ft. The Hennessey package doesn’t touch the engine internals at all, the jump to 500bhp (or 507 metric hp) achieved through ECU tuning, a high-flow induction system and chunkier intercooler. Which are quite some gains. It’s not clear exactly how those upgrades would work on a UK car (or indeed if they’re going to be available here), but this is proof, if it were needed, of just how tuneable the V6 is.
The car seen here has been given the full VelociRaptor overhaul, complete with new wheels and 35-inch off-road tyres, bumper upgrade, Hennessey badges and even embroidered headrests. Just 200 are going to be made for 2024 (further production hasn’t been confirmed), with conversions under way once ‘an intensive period of R&D’, both on and off road, has been completed. Production should kick off in the fourth quarter of this year, with an asking price of $25k for the full VelociRaptor kit, complete with a three-year/ 36,000-mile warranty.
John Hennessey said of his company’s latest car: "The VelociRaptor 500 Ranger is an excellent choice for the pickup enthusiast who doesn't need the capacity of our full-size VelociRaptor 600 F-150. The midsize pickup is incredibly capable and very agile. In addition, our 500-horsepower upgrade will noticeably improve low-end torque, and it's got a lot more power for those who like to really push their trucks in mud, sand, or on the open road." Orders are open now, and ‘international shipping’ should commence before the year is out, so maybe there’s hope after all. An orange one with 500hp would be pretty cool…
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