Car enthusiasts are familiar with Hennessey Performance Engineering because they upgrade high-performance vehicles like the Hennessey Mammoth 1000. Hennessey even have the slogan “making fast cars faster since 1991.” But they don’t make them just faster, they also make them cooler, sportier, and more comfortable. In the past, the Texas-based company has upgraded the Ford Bronco and Ford Raptor transforming them into veritable beasts, and now, they’ve released the VelociRaptor 500 Bronco, an upgraded version of the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor.
This is the eighth VelociRaptor model to emerge from Hennessey’s development team, and has had its output raised to 500 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 603 lb-ft of torque at 3,900 rpm. This is equivalent to a 20 percent boost in engine output above the factory settings of 418 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque.
The Hennessey team maintained the Raptor’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, but they added several tweaks and modifications to improve performance and boost pressure. As a result, the new high-capacity intercooler with the blow-off valve and the upgraded engine-management system boost the engine performance.
Besides the engine overhaul, the Bronco Raptor also received a slight makeover that makes it look like the greatest street-legal monster on the road. Drivers who want to avoid volcanoes, storms, floods, and alien attacks or who believe in Doomsday prophecies will love the apocalypse-proof design. But to be fair, the VelociRaptor-500 Bronco is also perfectly suited for climbing rocks, family outdoor trips, and driving on rough terrain without getting chased by monsters and otherworldly creatures.
This Is Why Hennessey Has Upgraded The Bronco Raptor
The Hennessey team has experience with the Ford Bronco. In the past, they’ve transformed the 2022 Ford Bronco into the VelociRaptor 400 Ford Bronco. Thanks to the modifications, the VelociRaptor 400 Ford Bronco reached an output of 410 hp at 4,400 rpm and 503 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm. Hennessey also offered a unique package dubbed the Hennessey VelociRaptor 400 Heritage Edition, which is “the ultimate Bronco modification package in the most American way possible: bigger, taller, more power, more noise and a sleek livery,” according to the company's webpage. Evidently, the engineers at Hennessey built on their experience with the Ford Bronco model to create the VelociRaptor 500 Bronco. However, they weren't just motivated to redesign the sport utility vehicle by their experiences. In reality, customer demand compelled them to go down this path.
“Our customers are big fans of the new Bronco, but they’ve been asking us for more power and greater performance capabilities from day one,” said Hennessey CEO John Hennessey. “Ford’s Raptor version is a big improvement, but the engine has even more potential. Our engineering team has released its potency to create the ultimate all-powerful off-road SUV.”
VelociRaptor 500 Bronco: Cabin Upgrades And Exterior Enhancements
Although most customers choose Hennessey Performance Engineering's services for their expertise in boosting engine performance, even their stylistic innovations are impressive. Inside the VelociRaptor 500 Bronco, passengers will find embroidered headrests, all-weather floor mats, and a unique numbered plaque. Drivers can find another serial numbered plaque in the engine compartment. Meanwhile, on the exterior, gearheads can find the cool VelociRaptor 500 Bronco badging. Other bespoke upgrades include the VelociRaptor front and rear bumpers and 10-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 37-inch tires. There are also the upgraded electronic fold-out steps, which extend when passengers open the doors.
Warranty And Package Pricing
It's important to note that the Hennessey team invests heavily in research and development. According to a press release, the in-house engineers road-tested every VelociRaptor 500 Bronco at the company’s private test track. Evidently, the company takes pride in the dependability of its cars and the caliber of its work, so it offers a comprehensive 3-year / 36,000-mile warranty for its vehicles. The investment for the Hennessey-tuned Bronco Raptor upgrade package has a MRSP of $32,950 and is available through Hennessey’s authorized Ford retailers or directly from Hennessey. Equally important to note, is that this 2023 package, limited to 200 units, doesn’t include the donor Bronco Raptor.
Considering that the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor has a starting price of $68,500, the VelociRaptor 500 Bronco will end up costing car enthusiasts roughly $101,450. To put things in context, luxury sport utility vehicles like the 2023 Maserati Levante, the 2022 Lexus LX, and the 2023 Porsche Cayenne have a lower starting price than the VelociRaptor 500 Bronco. Meanwhile, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover comes close to the VelociRaptor 500 Bronco price mark, with a starting price of $104,500. Evidently, luxury sport utility vehicles have other selling points and a different customer base than the high-performance VelociRaptor 500 Bronco, but this powerful SUV appears to be worth every dollar.