A 500 HORSEPOWER efficiency improve to the brand new Ford Ranger Raptor is quickly to be accessible in america by way of Hennessey Efficiency and will make it Down Underneath topic to native testing and different necessities.
Texas-based Hennessey is liaising with its Australian agent, Adelaide-based KPM Motorsport, to discover the potential for launching its VelociRaptor 500 Ranger for this and different right-hand drive markets.
If it will get throughout the road, the VelociRaptor 500 Ranger would create a conundrum for a lot of top-spec ute consumers as it might probably be in the identical value vary as one thing just like the full-size Ford F150, and even Ram’s dearer 523kW/882Nm TRX and others however the smaller, lighter VelociRaptor would supply efficiency and dealing with at one other degree.
The inventory Aussie-spec Ranger Raptor already delivers severe efficiency from its twin-turbo 3.0-litre petrol V6 engine at 292kW and 583Nm however the Hennessey Efficiency VelociRaptor 500 conversion takes energy as much as a whopping 372kW/745Nm with – within the North American market not less than – full guarantee cowl.
Hennessey has been “making quick automobiles quicker” for greater than 30 years, and has now turned to considerably enhancing the Aussie-designed and engineered Ranger Raptor’s driveline and dynamics.
The ability-up is an unique improve to be accessible for the North American market Ford Ranger Raptor flagship, with manufacturing commencing in This fall and will probably be accessible to consumers in america at a value of $US24,950 ($A38,141).
With the range-topping Aussie spec’ Ford Ranger Raptor going for $86,790 plus on-road prices, including the VelociRaptor improve would, primarily based on present alternate charges, theoretically take it to virtually $125,000 + ORC.
However don’t get too excited as a result of Hennessey is but to resolve if it would go forward with an Aussie model of the VelociRaptor 500 Ranger that’s topic to outcomes from an area check construct by KPM Motorsport in Adelaide.
KPM Motorsport proprietor David Roscio instructed GoAuto the corporate was taking a look at a 3-6 month lead time to construct a right-hand drive VelociRaptor 500 Ranger and check it earlier than contemplating going to market.
“Now we have to get throughout the ECU safety key first, in any other case the calibration is unable to be written,” he defined.
“Hennessey would ship the improve package to us and we are going to finesse it to suit right-hand drive and to work correctly with the variables we have now right here, so there’s a little bit of testing to be finished earlier than something occurs.
“We need to make sure that 100 per cent that it may be finished, so in the mean time it’s within the pipeline,” he mentioned.
At current, Hennessey head workplace in Texas is totally occupied with US-market validation of the VelociRaptor 500 Ranger and different high-performance work.
Underneath Hennessey’s VelociRaptor 500 Ranger regime, the inventory V6 engine positive aspects a brand new high-flow air induction system, a bigger front-mounted intercooler, and an engine administration software program improve which enabled Hennessey’s engineers to spice up energy and torque outputs by greater than 27 per cent.
Hennessey has runs on the board with quick Ford off-road automobiles as proven within the Hennessey “VelociRaptor 500” Bronco with the five hundred horsepower engine mated to a 10-speed automated transmission sending energy to an all-wheel drive system that has locking entrance and rear differentials and a low-range transmission for off-road functionality.
The additional energy in VelociRaptor 500 Ranger will additional enhance the car’s already spectacular chops aided by an energetic exhaust system, Fox 2.5-inch ‘Reside Valve’ inner bypass shocks and manufacturing facility G.O.A.T driving modes: Regular, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Sand, Mud/Ruts, Rock Crawl, Baja, and Tow-Haul.
Hennessey founder and CEO John Hennessey mentioned: “The VelociRaptor 500 Ranger is a wonderful alternative for the pickup fanatic who would not want the capability of our full-size VelociRaptor 600 F-150.
“The midsize pickup is extremely succesful and really agile … it is truly lighter than the Bronco SUV. As well as, our 500-horsepower improve will noticeably enhance low-end torque, and it is received much more energy for individuals who like to actually push their vehicles in mud, sand, or on the open highway.
Along with efficiency upgrades, Hennessey may even rework the car’s exterior with customized VelociRaptor bumpers, LED off-road lights, Hennessey 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, 35-inch off-road tyres, and ‘VelociRaptor 500’ badging.
In the meantime the inside options Hennessey’s embroidered head restraints, all-weather ground mats, and a singular construct quantity plaque.
The US VelociRaptor 500 Ranger is at the moment finishing an intensive interval of R&D on the firm’s HQ, personal check monitor and in excessive circumstances each on- and off-road.
GoAuto will maintain tabs on native VelociRaptor developments and report as they happen.
