Hennessey’s latest VelociRaptor brings back the V8 engine to Ford’s off-road pickup. The supercharged truck churns out 758 hp. Photos: Wayne GraysonWhen Ford changed the engine on its revamped 2017 model of F-150 Raptor trucks, fans raised quite a fuss. But the Blue Oval stuck with the EcoBoost V6 and that was the end of the discussion.
But for diehard fans who want the growl and thunder of a true V8, there is John Hennessy, founder and CEO of Hennessey Performance, who is doing a brisk business of stuffing Ford 5.0-liter V8 Coyote engines in this popular truck. Hennessey calls this more powerful version of Ford’s rugged off-roader the VelociRaptor V8.
This year’s model churns out 758 horsepower (vs 450 hp for the EcoBoost) thanks to Hennessy’s 2.9L supercharger, and is mated to a Ford 10-speed transmission. The new V8-powered Gen2 Ford Raptor sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds.
The Hennessey VelociRaptor V8 conversion also includes VelociRaptor bumpers front & rear, LED front lights, Stage 2 off-road suspension with a six-inch lift, Hennessey 20-inch alloy wheels, 37-inch BF Goodrich KM03 off-road tires, Hennessey & VelociRaptor V8 exterior badges, and Hennessey embroidered headrests, serial numbered plaques in the interior and engine bay.
The price for the 2019 Hennessey VelociRaptor V8 is $147,950, which includes a new 2019 Ford Raptor F-150 truck.
Production is limited to just 100 units for the 2019 model year and each vehicle comes with a 3-year / 36,000 mile warranty that covers the base Ford truck as well as the complete VelociRaptor V8 conversion.
The VelociRaptor V8 is available directly from Hennessey or from select Authorized Hennessey Performance Ford dealers.
To see more of this truck and our interview with John Hennessy, check out the video below.
Editor’s Note: Tom Quimby, editor at sister site Hard Working Trucks contributed to this article.
