Hennessey doesn’t like to leave things alone, and he’s now tinkering with the Ford Bronco Raptor. The tuner’s latest creation – the Hennessey VelociRaptor 500 Bronco – gives the rugged off-road SUV a powerful engine upgrade and a minor visual overhaul.
The company upgraded the Bronco’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine. The aftermarket specialist added new engine management software, a high-flow induction system, an upgraded stainless steel exhaust and a larger intercooler system. The changes increase powertrain output to 500 horsepower (372 kilowatts) and 550 lb-ft (745 Newton-meters) of torque. Hennessey says that’s a 20% increase over the original Bronco Raptor, which produces 418 hp (311 kW) and 440 lb-ft (596 Nm) of torque, and the match is verified.
The tuner adds 18-inch 10-spoke wheels wrapped in 37-inch tires, while new VelociRaptor front and rear bumpers improve the exterior. Other parades include Hennessey and VelociRaptor 500 Bronco exterior badging and upgraded electronic fold-out steps. Inside, the SUV gets Hennessey’s interlocking headrests, all-weather floor mats and a unique plaque denoting the SUV’s uniqueness. There is also a plate in the engine compartment.
“Our customers are big fans of the new Bronco, but they’ve been asking for more power and better performance from day one,” said company CEO John Hennessey. “Ford’s Raptor version is a big improvement, but the engine has even more potential. Our team of engineers unleashed their power to create the ultimate all-powerful off-road SUV.
This is the eighth VelociRaptor model from Hennessey and the second for the Bronco. The company introduced the VelociRaptor 400 Bronco last year, boosting the SUV’s 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine to 411 hp (306 kW) and 603 lb-ft (818 Nm) of torque with a similar set of upgrades compared to the new model. It also received 18-inch wheels, but Hennessey wrapped them in 35-inch tires. The company said the Bronco could hit 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour) in 4.9 seconds.
The package costs $32,950 and does not include the Bronco Raptor donor. The high-powered off-road SUV starts at $75,374, including the $1,595 destination charge. Hennessey offers the upgrade with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty.
