Hold on tight, we're taking off! Hennessey starts production of its VelociRaptor with more than 600 hp

The F-150 Raptor has always held a special place in the hearts of car enthusiasts around the world, especially those privileged enough on the other side of the pond to get their hands on one. So much so that it hardly mattered when Ford electrified it with the arrival of the F-150 Lightning, which exceeded the expectations of the oval brand in terms of orders, forcing it to double its production.

But our protagonist, the Ford F-150 Raptor, remains an object of desire and a perfect base for modifications, as the Texas tuner has already shown on previous occasions Hennessey. The tuner is back with the most famous pick-up, which it has renamed the VelociRaptor 600, and of which only 250 units will be built. These three figures in its name are no coincidence: they reveal some of the numbers we will find under the bonnet.

So let’s start with the thrills. In its latest generation, Ford replaced the Raptor’s 6.2 V8 engine with a 3,500 cc EcoBoost V6 that produces 456 hp and 692 Nm of torque. Hennessey keeps this engine block and has made a series of modifications to it. These include a higher-flow turbo and intercooler, a new intake system, new gaskets and revised electronics to suit the changes.

As a result, the Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 generates 609 hp and torque rises to 843 Nm, surpassing even the ceiling set by the F-150 Lightning. Thanks to these figures, the VelociRaptor 600 accelerates to 96 km/h in just 4.2 seconds and also covers the quarter mile in 12.9 seconds, not bad considering it is a heavy vehicle of considerable size.

This whole power kit is offered independently of the cosmetic one, although customers can also make their Ford F-150 Raptor even more intimidating thanks to the Off-Road kit, which includes new front and rear bumpers with integrated LED lights, Hennessey’s own 20-inch wheels with off-road tyres up to 37 inches, and a new suspension kit. The power kit and the Off-Road kit are the most sought after, both priced at around 115,000 dollars, which already include the standard F-150 Raptor. In addition, customers can also choose a new Brembo-signed front brake system with six-piston calipers.