Crikey, just look at this thing.
Some might take a gander at Ford’s performance pick-up, the Raptor, and think that that’s plenty enough done to the F-150. That no more is needed….except when it is. It's the perspective of a Mr. John Hennessey, we must guess, as he and his team have brought this abomination (that’s a compliment) to bear at the 2017 SEMA show in Las Vegas.
You can probably guess at how it came into being, at least in conception: take a donor F-150 Raptor, extend its wheelbase, fit custom body panels to match, two extra wheels, and add additional suspension components as necessary. Yes, but executing the Velociraptor 6x6 needed some real expertise.
In philosophy, however, it seems like the team at Hennessey Performance - those same nutters responsible for the Venom GT and soon to unveil the tyre vaporising and potentially space-time beding F5 hypercar - has endeavoured to create the exact opposite of the Mercedes-Maybach G650 Laundalet. Luxury isn’t a priority here, but attitude definitely is.
The Velociraptor 6x6 features, as the name alludes to, a six-wheel drive layout via three locking axles and suspension that’s has been beefed up to cope with the extra weight and altered weight balance. Also, there’s new front and rear bumpers, roll bar and LED lights, upgraded 20-inch wheels and Toyo off-road tyres. There’s only one optional extra: a Brembo high-performance brake system with 6 callipers each for an additional US$22,000 (approximately AUD29,000), no doubt because more rotors and callipers are needed.
Hennessey isn’t really revealing all that much else aside from those basic points about the Velociraptor 6x6. From what’s understood, it also comes pre-tuned to output in excess of 447kW via turbocharger upgrades and engine remap of the stock Raptor’s 3.5-litre V6. Judging by just how much extra heft that relatively small EcoBoost unit is now tasked with hauling, it does need all the help it can get.
If the Velociraptor 6x6 tickles your fancy at least as much as it does ours in a slightly perverse way, you’d best get your name down quickly, and ready to swap US$349,000 for the pleasure of owning one of the 50 units Hennessey Performance Engineering plans on producing.
For more on Ford vehicles (this still counts as one), check out our Showroom.
