Hennessey VelociRaptor 400, the direct rival to the Raptor version of the Ford Bronco

At the end of 2020, while the whole motoring world was waiting for production of the Ford Bronco to begin, Hennessey got there first, even ahead of the oval brand itself, presenting and announcing that its beastly VelociRaptor V8 would arrive even sooner. Now Ford has announced the most radical version of the Bronco, the Raptor, and once again Hennessey has done it, announcing the imminent production of the VelociRaptor 400, which matches it in performance.

Hennessey’s workshops have been running flat out lately. Only a few days ago we were told about the VelociRaptor 600, a limited edition based on the F-150 Raptor, and now they’re back with another Ford model: the Bronco Raptor, which becomes the VelociRaptor 400. It is a toned-down version compared with Hennessey’s previous conversion of the same model.

Let’s remember that the VelociRaptor V8 was a true beast. It used a 5.0-litre Coyote V8 block similar to the one found in the F-150 or the Mustang, but with the necessary modifications to raise output to around 750 CV. Those figures were genuinely brutal, so much so that Hennessey’s Bronco could go from 0-96 km/h in just 4.5 seconds, and it also received other mechanical changes to cope with all that power.

The Hennessey VelociRaptor 400 is not as brutal, but it does exceed the original Bronco Raptor in power, and not only that: it will also reach production sooner, so the most impatient buyers, or those who want more performance, can get one earlier. Under the bonnet of the VelociRaptor 400 there is no new engine. Instead it keeps the original 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 block, which has been given modified intake and exhaust systems and a reprogrammed ECU that lift it to 417 CV, along with 813 Nm of torque. Those figures take it from standstill to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.

This is undoubtedly a substantial improvement in the EcoBoost V6’s performance, since, as we recall, the engine produces 310 CV and 542 Nm of peak torque as standard. In addition, the VelociRaptor 400’s figures are enough to practically outdo the newly presented Bronco Raptor, which, as we have already mentioned, uses a 3.0-litre EcoBoost block that is expected to exceed 400 CV, pending the official figures from Ford.

All this power in the VelociRaptor 400 comes with a series of cosmetic modifications, such as specific front and rear bumpers, supplementary LED lights, 18-inch wheels fitted with huge 35-inch tyres, long-travel suspension for better off-road behaviour, retractable side steps and badges that make it clear which model you’re looking at. Inside there are specific embroidery on the seats and, in addition, a distinctive plate bearing the unit’s number, since Hennessey will build a limited kit of 200 units.

Hennessey says the VelociRaptor 400 package will cost 24,950 dollars, to which the price of the Ford Bronco must be added. For the reassurance of prospective buyers, it can be fitted to both the two-door and four-door versions, with either a hardtop or a soft top.