Get Hotcars Premium. Start your free trial today
Hennessey’s VelociRaptor 600 is a Ford F-150 Raptor on steroids. It’s faster and quicker, promising better off-road performance.
The Ford F-150 Raptor typically refers to the highest performance version of the carmaker’s beloved pickup truck. It doesn’t just represent a huge upgrade in terms of power over a typical F-150, but it also represents a massive push in terms of off-road capability.
Now in its third generation – the first-gen model came out in the 2010 model year – the 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor is essentially an off-road truck that is just as capable on the pavement. As Ford puts it, the F-150 Raptor combines high-speed off-road performance muscle with advanced technology and connectivity. This is partly possible thanks to a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine, delivering up to 450 hp of output and 510 lb-ft of peak torque.
Despite the already high power output and torque of the F-150 Raptor, customers wanted more. This demand became more vocal as other carmakers started offering their more powerful models that could shame the F-150 Raptor in terms of power.
However, there are two F-150 Raptor versions that are taking the game to another level. They both claim to be the ultimate F-150 Raptor – the all-new 2023 F-150 Raptor R and the Hennessey VelociRaptor 600. It’ll be interesting to examine the claims of these two Raptor pickup trucks.
Hennessey’s VelociRaptor 600 is a Ford F-150 Raptor on steroids. It’s faster and quicker, promising better off-road performance. While Ford created the F-150 Raptor R probably in response to the current lord of the off-road, the Ram 1500 TRX, Hennessey came up with the VelociRaptor 600 for those who think the F-150 Raptor R isn’t potent.
In fact, the Sealy, Texas-based Hennessey Performance Engineering has been offering the VelociRaptor 600 upgrade for the past several years. Moreover, the latest iteration of the VelociRaptor 600 is now the third-gen crazy fast metal dinosaur, with Hennessey building it off the 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor.
As mentioned, the F-150 Raptor R seemed Ford’s answer to the Ram TRX. Until the F-150 Raptor R arrives in the market, the F-150 Raptor remains as Ford’s ultimate off-road truck straight from the factory. But until the F-150 Raptor R arrives, the F-150 Raptor will bear the shame of not being able to rival the TRX.
RELATED: The Rock Will Add The New Ford F-150 Raptor R To His Garage And We Don't Blame Him
The F-150 Raptor R now has the credentials to rival the TRX. It employs a Mustang Shelby GT500-based 5.2-liter V8 engine that received a massive 2.65-liter root style supercharger from Eaton. This mill can deliver 700 hp of max output and 640 lb-ft of peak torque. While this is a little lower than the Ram TRX offers, Ford doesn’t want to start a horsepower against Stellantis.
Although the V8 engine of the F-150 Raptor R came from the GT500, it places more emphasis on torque. After all, the F-150 Raptor R is a pickup truck, and Ford wanted it capable of blasting through the dunes at top speed, instead of ruling the straight line.
On the other hand, Hennessey squeezed more power from the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine of the F-150 Raptor by installing enhanced air induction, a high-capacity intercooler with blow off valve, and an upgraded engine-management system. This increased the power levels of the stock F-150 Raptor to 558 hp of max output and 672 lb-ft of torque. It even offers more torque than an F-150 Raptor R.
According to Hennessey, the VelociRaptor 600 can zoom from nil to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds and hit a quarter mile in 12.9 seconds. On the other hand, Ford has given no straight-line figures for the F-150 Raptor R. One can only guess how quick a 700-hp engine can propel a massive truck, and number-wise, the F-150 Raptor R has the advantage.
Incredibly, though, the Ford had restricted the top speed of the F-150 Raptor R to just 120-mph for safety reasons. Hennessey didn’t indicate how fast a VelociRaptor can go, although
Nonetheless, Ford meant the F-150 Raptor for off-road performance, which means the R version and the VelociRaptor 600 cannot just settle the matter in a straight-line race. Both Ford and Hennessey have released videos showing their respective pickup trucks going wild and fast on the sand dunes. This simply means, the winner is the one that could rule off the road.
RELATED: 10 Things We Love About Hennessey's Ford F-150 VelociRaptor
Hennessey actually offers an Off-Road upgrade for the Velociraptor 600. This upgrade new front and rear bumpers with integrated LED lights, 20-inch Hennessey wheels, up to 37-inch off-road tires and a suspension leveling kit. Massive six-piston Brembo front brakes are optional.
Ford’s factory F-150 Raptor R, meanwhile, plans to conquer the off-road with a five-link rear suspension, a Panhard rod and 24-inch coil springs, advanced FOX Live Valve shocks, and more. It boasts 13 inches of wheel travel in front and 14.1 inches, allowing to traverse sand and rocks with relative ease.
Appearance-wise, the Velociraptor 600 looks mean and ready to rumble thanks to its new front and rear bumpers. But the 700-hp F-150 Raptor R took things to a different angle by becoming more engaging in terms of appearance. It comes with a larger, more aggressive power dome, iconic F O R D grille, bumpers and fender flares in black underscore, as well as the Code Orange ‘R’ badges.
Price-wise, the F-150 Raptor R costs around $110,000, while the 2022 VelociRaptor can go as high as $115,000. As for the real score, it’s good to wait for examples of these super pickup trucks to race against each other in the near future.
Source: Ford. Hennessey Performance Engineering
Julybien Atadero writes from the island of Cebu covering various automotive topics including new sports cars, classic muscles, pickup trucks and SUVs. While I like peace and quiet, I love playing with my kid. When I have nothing else to do, I watch documentaries and animations.