Ford Ranger Raptor given big boost by US tuning company Hennessey

If you think the Ford Ranger Raptor is a hardcore off-road vehicle, US tuning company Hennessey has upped the ante, transforming the dual-cab ute into a dirt-road monster – and it's sold with a full warranty.

Following the reveal of the new Ford Ranger for the US market earlier this month, Texas-based firm Hennessey – which has previously built high-power F-150 pick-ups, Bronco SUVs and its own record-setting supercars – has unveiled its modified version of the off-road-focused Ranger Raptor ute.

It’s called the Hennessey VelociRaptor 500 Ranger, and while it looks similar to the Ranger Raptor upon which it is based, small upgrades have culminated in large changes to the dual-cab ute – which is classified as a "mid-size pick-up" in the US.

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According to Hennessey, the Ford Ranger Raptor’s existing 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine – which develops 292kW in Australia and 302kW in the US, due to different measurement standards – has been modified with a “high-flow air induction system, a larger front-mounted intercooler, and an engine management software upgrade”.

As a result, the VelociRaptor 500 produces 373kW (or 500 horsepower) and 746Nm – an increase of 71kW and 163Nm compared to North American-delivered Ford Ranger Raptors.

The Ranger Raptor’s 10-speed automatic transmission is unchanged, as is its full-time four-wheel-drive system – with low range – which features locking front and rear differentials.

While there are no other changes under the body, the VelociRaptor package also includes a number of cosmetic tweaks, including VelociRaptor-specific bumpers, LED off-road lights, bespoke 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels with 35-inch off-road tyres – up from 17-inch wheels and 33-inch tyres on the standard model – and ‘VelociRaptor 500’ badges.

Inside, the Ranger Raptor now has ‘Hennessey’ embroidered headrests, all-weather floor mats and a unique build plaque, featuring its production number.

Hennessey says the cost of its VelociRaptor 500 Ranger package is $US24,950 ($AU38,200) – though this excludes the price of the Ford Ranger Raptor donor vehicle, which starts from $US56,960 ($AU87,250) including dealer delivery fees in the US.

In Australia, the Ford Ranger Raptor is priced from $87,990 plus on-road costs.

According to Hennessey, VelociRaptor 500 Ranger production is due to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023 (October to December inclusive), with “international shipping” starting shortly after.

The high-performance off-road package is also sold with a three-year, 36,000-mile (58,000km) warranty – reflecting Ford’s US warranty offering, but falling short of the five-year, unlimited-kilometre coverage in Australia.

It is not clear whether the VelociRaptor 500 Ranger will be available in Australia, though Hennessey’s performance packages have previously been sold locally though certain independent speed shops.