Texas-based tuning company Hennessey renowned for making fast cars faster takes Ford’s high performance version of the Bronco to the next level.
If there were ever a company you would want to modify your high horsepower American car, it’s surely Hennessey. The Ford Bronco Raptor is the latest vehicle to receive the full Hennessey treatment with the Bronco VelociRaptor 500. Located in Sealy, Texas since 1991, Hennessey has been turning up the wick on Vipers, Mustangs, Corvettes, and basically any other performance car since. Though it also tinkers with European makes, most of its creations are American vehicles.
The Hennessey VelociRaptor Is A D.I.N.O. (Dinosaur In Name Only)
Ford’s top version of the Bronco (often nicknamed ‘Braptor’) is already a very powerful and capable off-road SUV, but the folks at Hennessey think there’s more performance to squeeze out of it. The result is the VelociRaptor 500 upgrade package which – through several engine modifications – increases the power output substantially. The best part? The upgrades carry protection for three years or 36,000 miles.
In its stock form, the 3.0-liter Ecoboost V6 in the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor produces 418 horsepower and 440 lb.-ft. of torque, which is nothing to sneeze at. After Hennessey breathes on it though, it makes 500 hp and 550 lb.-ft. – a 20 percent increase over the factory output! The power is still routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission and Ford’s robust four-wheel-drive system.
They achieve these gains with various bolt-on modifications; the engine internals are not changed. New engine management software, a high-flow air intake and exhaust system, and an upgraded heat exchanger all contribute to transforming the Bronco Raptor to the monster Hennessey has created.
Thanks to the adoption of turbochargers in many modern performance engines, significant increases in horsepower are possible simply by increasing boost pressure and optimizing ignition timing for higher octane fuel. The VelociRaptor 500 with its twin-turbo V-6 is no exception, and it is these software tweaks along with high-flow hardware that makes big power an easy thing to achieve.
Ford equips the Bronco Raptor with some serious suspension hardware from the factory, so Hennessey probably decided to leave well enough alone in that area. The only exception being a three-inch lift to make the Bronco Raptor look even more aggressive on the road.
After all, this is a company that prides itself on straight line performance (have you heard of the Hennessey Venom GT or Venom F5?). Their customer base isn’t going to them for a precisely calibrated track car. These are people who have a fast car – typically a muscle car with a lot of overhead – and want to make obscene power.
The Tuned Bronco VelociRaptor 500 Has Show To Match The Go
In addition to the mechanical changes, the VelociRaptor 500 upgrade package also includes various cosmetics treatments. The exterior features specific front and rear bumpers and 10-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in 37-inch off-road tires. Hennessey also includes their badging and unique graphics with a bucking bronco logo.
On the inside buyers will find a mostly standard Bronco Raptor interior, which itself is a very nice place to be. The VelociRaptor adds some flair with Hennessey WeatherTech floormats, embroidered headrests, and a plaque designating the limited edition (only 200 units for 2023).
So how much does all this cost? Aside from the base price of the Bronco Raptor ($73,780) the VelociRaptor 500 package will set you back from $32,950, which may seem like a lot. You might think, “I can get an off-the-shelf tune for my performance car for $1,000; what’s so special about Hennessey’s offering?”
The Bronco VelociRaptor 500 Is More Than A Power Bump
You see, there’s more to this than meets the eye. In the case of the VelociRaptor 500, the upgrades come with a comprehensive 3-year/36,000 mile warranty – which is a big deal. There are very few tuning companies out there that will warranty their performance add-ons, let alone for that long. Unlike Hennessey, most tuners will flash your ECU in an hour, but then you’re on your own, hence the gulf in price. Parts sometimes fail, so it’s reassuring to know they protect the enhancements.
Hennessey is able to guarantee such crazy performance due to the amount of research and testing that goes into their builds. Following the R&D period, they strap on the mods and subject every VelociRaptor 500 to rigorous testing on a chassis dyno. After making sure it achieves the desired targets on the dyno, each one is then driven around Hennessey’s own test track.
In fact, the company may road test its builds up to 500 miles to ensure proper operation and reliability. With the rising popularity of extreme off-roaders like the Jeep Wrangler 392, the 2022 Ram 1500 TRX and Ford’s Raptors, maybe it’s time for Hennessey to build a rough terrain circuit.
They say everything is bigger in Texas, and for Hennessey it’s all about big numbers. The biggest engine with the most power producing the highest number on the speedometer is their specialty, and they’re damn good at it. By injecting the Bronco Raptor with this same DNA, it’s certain to create maniacal laughter on every off-road trail across the globe.
The new Hennessey VelociRaptor 500 Bronco is now available through authorized Ford dealers or directly from Hennessey.
Source: Hennessey Performance
