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Claws out! 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor gets huge power boost as new Hennessey VelociRaptor 500

Engine software, high-flow induction, and upgraded cooling give the VelociRaptor 600 quite a bite.

If you want a fast ute with six cylinders and a blue oval on it, a used XR6 Turbo might not be your best option anymore.

Not only is the current Ranger Raptor a performance improvement over the first, but now US-based tuner Hennessey Performance has taken it further.

Following from the F-150-based VelociRaptor 600 previously created by the tuner, the ‘500’ upgrade is specifically designed for the new Ranger Raptor.

The Ranger Raptor’s previous outputs of 292kW/583Nm (actually 302kW in the US) are boosted to 373kW and 746Nm from its 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6.

In order to do this, Hennessey employed a high-flow induction system, upgraded cooling and a new engine management system - plus some chassis tuning and road testing.

CEO John Hennessey spruiks the new modified Ranger as a more agile alternative to the larger VelociRaptor 600, based on Ford’s full-size F-150.

"The VelociRaptor 500 Ranger is an excellent choice for the pickup enthusiast who doesn't need the capacity of our full-size VelociRaptor 600 F-150. 

“The midsize pick-up is incredibly capable and very agile… it's actually lighter than the Bronco SUV!”

Only 200 will be built, and international shipping for the pack begins late this year.

In Australia, Adelaide-based KPM Motorsport works with Hennessey to supply products, parts, and upgrades locally.

Chris Thompson
Journalist
Racing video games, car-spotting on road trips, and helping wash the family VL Calais Turbo as a kid were all early indicators that an interest in cars would stay present in Chris’ life, but loading up his 1990 VW Golf GTI Mk2 and moving from hometown Brisbane to work in automotive publishing in Melbourne ensured cars would be a constant. With a few years as MOTOR Magazine’s first digital journalist under his belt, followed by a stint as a staff journalist for Wheels Magazine, Chris’ career already speaks to a passion for anything with four wheels, especially the 1989 Mazda MX-5 he currently owns. From spending entire weeks dissecting the dynamic abilities of sports cars to weighing up the practical options for car buyers from all walks of life, Chris’ love for writing and talking about cars means if you’ve got a motoring question, he can give you an answer.
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