It remains unclear
if the Ford Ranger Raptor will be sold in the United States, but those who
would fancy one have the option of turning to Hennessey Performance, who has
announced a series of upgrades for the ‘regular’ 2019 Ranger.
As is typically the
case with vehicles from Hennessey, the Texas tuner has developed a series of
engines upgrades for Ford’s compact pickup truck. These modifications include a
high-flow air induction system, stainless steel catback exhaust, a bespoke
engine management software upgrade, and all the necessary gaskets and fluids.
Thanks to these
alterations, Hennessey has managed to increase grunt from the 2.3-liter
EcoBoost four-cylinder engine to 300 hp, up from 270 hp. If that’s not enough,
there’s a 375 hp upgrade package, which means you can have a Ranger with more
grunt than a Ford Focus RS.
In addition to the
engine work, Hennessey can make any 2019 Ranger look fitting of a Raptor badge.
Customers can opt for the VelociRaptor front bumper, VelociRaptor rear bumper,
18-inch Hennessey 10-spoke wheels, 33-inch Toyo off-road tires, fender flares,
a front suspension leveling kit, and unique badges across the exterior and
interior.
Hennessey’s
upgrades aren’t as off-road focused as those applied by Ford to the Ranger
Raptor. Consequently, a Hennessey Ranger may have the edge in a straight-line
but over difficult terrain, the Raptor would probably reign supreme. However,
we can’t imagine many Ranger Raptors ever taking their new pickups through off-road
tracks.
