For people who have waited with bated breath for years to own a Ford Bronco with a V8 under the hood, there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. Ford has made it clear that a V8 engine powered Bronco isn’t in the pipeline given the federal requirements for managing the CO2 emissions. But wait, there’s Hennessey Performance Engineering to the rescue as the Texas-based aftermarket tuner has announced the VelociRaptor V8 Bronco. Yes, a limited edition version of the 2021 Ford Bronco that roars with a 5.0-liter V8 engine under the hood. According to founder and CEO, John Hennessey, “The 2021 Bronco may be one of the most highly desired vehicles since the introduction of the Ford GT. We look forward to taking the new Bronco to the next level and beyond.”
The standard 2021 Bronco announced for next year has the turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 EcoBoost engine churning out a not so exciting (for gearheads) 310 HP (231 kilowatts). Hennessey VelociRaptor V8 Bronco changes that dimension with a V8 producing 750 HP (559 kilowatts), mated to the Ford’s 10-speed automatic engine. It propels the mid-sized off-roader to a stunning 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour) in just 4.5 seconds. To improve the engine performance, the tuner will fit the vehicle with a redesigned hood with a vent, optimized for air intake – along with an air-to-water intercooler, high-flow air induction, upgraded fuel system, and an upgraded stainless steel cat-back exhaust.
Since adventure seekers are going to push the limits of this custom Ford Bronco on inhospitable terrain at high speeds, Hennessey has upgraded the off-road suspension system and fitted the monster with chunky mud-terrain tires around larger aluminum wheels. To make the standard 2021 Bronco owners get jealous, there will be custom livery and exterior badges setting aside this beast from the rest.
Other upgrades to the Bronco will come in the form of front and rear bumpers with LED lighting and a mean-looking front grille. The interiors are also going to get a custom VelociRaptor V8 Interior courtesy of the leather upholstery. The off-roader will come in just 24 units for the 2021 model in 2-door and 4-door configurations for a price tag of $225,000. And yes, it will come with a 3 year/36,000-mile warranty from Hennessey, so you can go on adventurers unknown without having to worry about a thing!
Designer: Hennessey
The Original Ford Bronco
