Hennessey Performance, that madcap tuning specialist from Texas, has upgraded the Ford F-150 Raptor’s standard 3,5-litre twin-turbo V6 EcoBoost engine to produce a whopping 450 kW and 843 N.m. And the result is a beast called the Hennessey VelociRaptor 600.
Hennessey claims that the brutal bakkie (which follows the even madder VelociRaptor 6×6 from last year) is capable of seeing off the 0-100 km/h dash in about 4,2 seconds, before running through the quarter mile in just 12,9 seconds.
Where does all that extra oomph come from? Well, the tuner has added “high-flow” turbochargers and increased the boost pressure from the standard 18 psi to 21 psi. The VelociRaptor 600 is furthermore fitted with a dual free-flow stainless steel exhaust system, a low restriction intake system and an air-to-air intercooler for more efficient airflow.
An upgraded engine management system is also included. The tuner says the updated software is designed to ensure increased power and performance while retaining “factory-like” driveability.
John Hennessey, founder and CEO of Hennessey Performance, stated that the company planned to build a limited number of 100 units for the 2017 model year as “our customers like having something special and exclusive as well as fast and fun to drive”.
Each of the Hennessey models will receive a numbered interior plaque as well as one underneath the bonnet stating the vehicle’s unique production number.
An additional VelociRaptor off-road package is available and includes “heavy duty” front and rear bumpers, LED lights and 20-inch 10-spoke Hennessey wheels wrapped in 35-inch Toyo tyres (raising the vehicle by an additional 76 mm).
Unfortunately, the 2017 Hennessey VelociRaptor is not destined for South Africa. This new vehicle, however, may well inspire a variety of fresh Raptor styling kits, which have proved to be very popular for the Ranger locally.
