Hennessey VelociRaptor 500 a chance for Oz

A 500 HORSEPOWER performance upgrade to the new Ford Ranger Raptor is soon to be available in the United States through Hennessey Performance and could make it Down Under subject to local testing and other requirements.

Texas-based Hennessey is liaising with its Australian agent, Adelaide-based KPM Motorsport, to explore the possibility of launching its VelociRaptor 500 Ranger for this and other right-hand drive markets.

If it gets across the line, the VelociRaptor 500 Ranger would create a conundrum for many top-spec ute buyers as it would potentially be in the same price range as something like the full-size Ford F150, or even Ram’s more expensive 523kW/882Nm TRX and others but the smaller, lighter VelociRaptor would offer performance and handling at another level.

The stock Aussie-spec Ranger Raptor already delivers serious performance from its twin-turbo 3.0-litre petrol V6 engine at 292kW and 583Nm but the Hennessey Performance VelociRaptor 500 conversion takes power up to a whopping 372kW/745Nm with – in the North American market at least – full warranty cover.

Hennessey has been “making fast cars faster” for more than 30 years, and has now turned to significantly enhancing the Aussie-designed and engineered Ranger Raptor’s driveline and dynamics.

The power-up is an exclusive upgrade to be available for the North American market Ford Ranger Raptor flagship, with production commencing in Q4 and will be available to buyers in the United States at a price of $US24,950 ($A38,141).

With the range-topping Aussie spec’ Ford Ranger Raptor going for $86,790 plus on-road costs, adding the VelociRaptor upgrade would, based on current exchange rates, theoretically take it to almost $125,000 + ORC. 

But don’t get too excited because Hennessey is yet to decide if it will go ahead with an Aussie version of the VelociRaptor 500 Ranger that is subject to outcomes from a local test build by KPM Motorsport in Adelaide.

KPM Motorsport owner David Roscio told GoAuto the company was looking at a 3-6 month lead time to build a right-hand drive VelociRaptor 500 Ranger and test it before considering going to market.

“We have to get across the ECU security key first, otherwise the calibration is unable to be written,” he explained.

“Hennessey would ship the upgrade kit to us and we will finesse it to fit right-hand drive and to work properly with the variables we have here, so there’s a bit of testing to be done before anything happens.

“We want to make sure 100 per cent that it can be done, so at the moment it’s in the pipeline,” he said.

At present, Hennessey head office in Texas is fully occupied with US-market validation of the VelociRaptor 500 Ranger and other high-performance work.

Under Hennessey’s VelociRaptor 500 Ranger regime, the stock V6 engine gains a new high-flow air induction system, a larger front-mounted intercooler, and an engine management software upgrade which enabled Hennessey's engineers to boost power and torque outputs by more than 27 per cent.

Hennessey has runs on the board with fast Ford off-road vehicles as shown in the Hennessey “VelociRaptor 500” Bronco with the 500 horsepower engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission sending power to an all-wheel drive system that has locking front and rear differentials and a low-range transmission for off-road capability.

The extra power in VelociRaptor 500 Ranger will further improve the vehicle’s already impressive chops aided by an active exhaust system, Fox 2.5-inch 'Live Valve' internal bypass shocks and factory G.O.A.T driving modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Sand, Mud/Ruts, Rock Crawl, Baja, and Tow-Haul.

Hennessey founder and CEO John Hennessey said: "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 … it's actually lighter than the Bronco SUV. 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.

In addition to performance upgrades, Hennessey will also transform the vehicle’s exterior with custom VelociRaptor bumpers, LED off-road lights, Hennessey 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, 35-inch off-road tyres, and 'VelociRaptor 500' badging. 

Meanwhile the interior features Hennessey's embroidered head restraints, all-weather floor mats, and a unique build number plaque.

The US VelociRaptor 500 Ranger is currently completing an intensive period of R&D at the company's HQ, private test track and in extreme conditions both on- and off-road.

GoAuto will keep tabs on local VelociRaptor developments and report as they occur.