More and more people are becoming hooked to off-road adventures. After all, such trips offer thrill and enjoyment that adventurers usually cannot experience during typical road trips. But not all vehicles can go off the road; only a select few are capable of doing proper business where asphalt runs out.
When it comes to badass off-road capable vehicles, almost every American carmaker has at least one to offer. Nevertheless, there is no brand that has made a distinguished reputation off the road greater than Jeep, which has created excellent 4x4 vehicles such as the Wrangler.
Nonetheless, other brands can’t go silent forever. In the turn of the decade, Ford challenged the Wrangler with its Ford Bronco. Jeep re-took the limelight with the Wrangler 392, but its rival answered with the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor. It wasn’t just a game of 4x4s, but a rivalry between badass off-roaders.
Interestingly, Hennessey Performance Engineering is watching on the sidelines, waiting to pounce on the opportunity when it presents itself. It came up with the VelociRaptor 500 Bronco, a 4x4 SUV from Ford with a Hennessey badge stuck on it. Apparently, there are many reasons why it is a badass off-roader.
From Ford Bronco To Hennessey VelociRaptor 400 Bronco
Ford introduced the sixth generation of the Bronco in 2021, resurrected the nameplate after 25 years of hiatus, to the delight of many fans and enthusiasts. There was a great fanfare in the introduction of the six-gen Bronco, as Ford would finally have a legit off-road contender to the Jeep Wrangler.
While the engine isn’t really the main feature of an off-road SUV, it is still a vital part. Thus, Ford gave the Bronco a quite powerful engine -- a 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost inline-four mill delivering 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of peak torque. Ford offers an optional 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6, delivering 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque.
But the off-road capability of the Bronco lies on its 4x4 elements. Ford blessed the Bronco with advanced four-wheel-drive technologies, chassis architecture and the Terrain Management System with G.O.A.T. Modes. A Dana 44 AdvanTEK solid rear axle and Dana AdvanTEK independent front differential unit also help.
Hennessey jumped on this new Ford 4x4 SUV and created the VelociRaptor 400 Bronco. Essentially a Bronco Badland trim receiving tuning from Hennessey, the VelociRaptor 400 Bronco features a V6 mill that can deliver 405 hp of max output and 503 lb-ft of peak torque. It also features Hennessey’s Off-Road Package that includes a set of 18-inch Hennessey wheels shod with 35-inch off-road tires, front and rear VelociRaptor bumpers, as well as retractable side steps.
Ford Transforms The Bronco To A Raptor
Then, Ford introduced the Bronco Raptor as an SUV for hardcore off-road enthusiasts. Just like other Raptors, the Bronco Raptor boasts of a host of upgrades that reinforce its off-capabilities as well as power level.
As for power, the Bronco Raptor proves more potent than its non-Raptor sibling. Its twin-turbocharged V6 engine delivers 418 hp of max output and 440-hp of peak torque. While this means the Bronco Raptor is not way above the VelociRaptor 400 Bronco in terms of power – the latter offers more torque – it comes with a deluge of upgrades that includes elite off-road technology and hardware.
For instance, the Bronco Raptor comes with a fully boxed, high-strength steel frame for increased suspension travel and track width. It also comes with heavy-duty bash and skid plates and reinforced B-pillar crossbar and C-pillar.
Moreover, the Bronco Raptor wears Ford Performance-developed axles. Ford upgraded the solid rear axle to a rear semi-float Dana 50 Heavy-Duty AdvanTEK with 235-mm ring gear and gave the Dana 44 AdvanTEK front-drive unit with an upgraded half-shafts with 210-mm ring gear. Ford also included an advanced 4x4 system with three modes, as well as an upgraded transfer case with a 3.06 4x4 LO ratio for up to 67.7:1 crawl ratio.
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From Ford Bronco Raptor To Hennessey VelociRaptor 500 Bronco
Since the Ford Bronco Raptor is superior to the Bronco and to the VelociRaptor 400 Bronco, Hennessey decided to derive its next creation from it – the VelociRaptor 500 Bronco. Hennessey implemented the formula it used in creating the VelociRaptor 400 version, but took Ford Bronco to a much higher level.
Just like almost all its creations, Hennessey focused on the engine of Bronco Raptor. It engineers installed a new high-capacity intercooler, implemented proprietary engine management system tuning, and made low-flow exhaust modifications. These changes allow the VelociRaptor 500 Bronco to offer nearly 20 percent more badass power output at 500 hp, with around 550 lb-ft of torque.
Aside from its capability, the VelociRaptor 500 Bronco boasts greater road presence and a more dynamic style. Hennessey achieved this by installing 18-inch Hennessey wheels shod with 37-inch off-road tires, a front and rear leveling kit, a VelociRaptor front bumper with fog lights as well as a VelociRaptor rear bumper upgrade.
Also included in the package are Hennessey and VelociRaptor exterior badgings, Heritage Edition livery Hennessey embroidered headrests, and a serial-numbered engine bay plaque. These upgrades and the superb 4x4 capability of the Bronco Raptor make the VelociRaptor a truly badass off-roader.
Source: Ford, Hennessey Performance Engineering