US tuning company and hypercar manufacturer Hennessey has revealed its latest creation, based on the Ford Ranger Raptor that was only recently revealed for North American market.
Dubbed the Hennessey VelociRaptor 500 Ranger, this tuned ute is claimed to be the “most powerful warrantied mid-size pickup” currently available.
The Ranger Raptor’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine has been boosted to produce 373kW of power and 746Nm of torque.
This is 71kW more powerful than the regular US-spec Ranger Raptor, which is already 10kW more than the Australian-spec version. It also produces 163Nm more torque.
It’s worth noting this package is largely the same as the VelociRaptor 500 Bronco which shares the same powertrain.
These swollen outputs are thanks to a new high-flow air induction system, a larger front-mounted intercooler, and an engine management software upgrade.
There haven’t been any alterations to the Ranger Raptor’s 10-speed automatic transmission, nor the full-time four-wheel drive system that has locking front and rear differentials.
Other exterior modifications on the VelociRaptor 500 Ranger includes custom VelociRaptor bumpers, LED off-road lights, unique 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in 35-inch off-road tyres, and ‘VelociRaptor 500’ badging.
On the inside there are embroidered headrests, all-weather floor mats, and unique build number plaque.
In the US the VelociRaptor 500 comes with a three-year/36,000-mile (~58,000km) warranty.
The Hennessey VelociRaptor 500 upgrade package is priced from US$24,950 (~A$37,700), which doesn’t include the price of the donor vehicle which currently costs US$56,960 (~A$86,100) in the US. In Australia the Ranger Raptor costs $86,790 before on-road costs.
Production is slated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023, with international shipping commencing around a similar time.
At this stage it’s unclear if the Hennessey VelociRaptor 500 upgrade package will be made available in Australia.
A spokesperson for KPM Motorsport, which is the only official Hennessey vehicle distributor in Australia, said at this stage the company has nothing to announce.
KPM Motorsport previously sold 25 examples of the Ranger VelociRaptor, which was based on the previous-generation model and was powered by a 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel tuned to produce 181kW and 590Nm.
MORE: Everything Ford Ranger