Ford’s F-250 Gets a Rugged American Overhaul with Truck Loads of Torque

Hennessey may be best known for its record-setting speed runs and power-hungry engine upgrades, but the Texas-based tuner isn’t all hypercars and muscle cars.

On the contrary, as you’ll find that the outfit’s catalog encompasses everything from stealthy Chevy Suburbans to Raptor-fighting Ram pickups. Moreover, across the board, Hennessey delivers superlative performance with eye-catching looks to suit.

Hennessey Performance

The latest effort takes the form of a truck made in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. As a celebration of independence, it brings an appropriately authoritative presence both inside and out.

A celebration of America’s 250th

Hennessey is calling it the VelociRaptor 1200 F‑250, and, like its predecessors, that number in its name denotes the torque figure.

Hennessey Performance

As such, it comes based on the Ford F‑250 Super Duty in Lariat trim and is powered by the range‑topping 6.7‑liter high-output turbodiesel V8. In practice, this means that it makes 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. 

While it’s a bit unusual that Hennessey is leaving the pickup’s powertrain alone, thankfully, the rest of the truck is far from stock. (It’s also hardly lacking on the output front.)

Along with giving the F-250 a five-inch BDS off-road lift and some Fox 2.5 coil-over shocks with DSC-adjustable remote‑reservoir technology, the tuner is also fitting it with a set of new 18-inch 8-lug wheels wrapped in 37-inch off-road tires.

Hennessey Performance

Moreover, Hennessey is equipping VelociRaptor 1200s with a full carbon fiber hood. Beyond making for an eye-catching addition to the truck’s visuals, it also provides real-world utility with functional heat-extraction vents.

Special touches inside and out

Of course, being a Hennessey (and a commemorative model at that), this pickup also packs plenty of special visual touches.  

Hennessey Performance

Around the outside, the VelociRaptor 1200  brings a range of carbon fiber components, including fender flares and vents, mirror caps  and a tailgate. Together, they add a dose of refinement to the towering truck.

However, Hennessey’s treatment isn’t lacking in utility, either. In addition to some upgraded steel bumpers front and rear, the overhauled F-250 also benefits from a 50-inch lightbar, a bevy of LED lights and a set of powered running boards.

Hennessey Performance

Rounded out by a set of flashy exterior graphics, an interior outfitted with bespoke seats trimmed in leather and Alcantara, as well as a set of all-weather floor mats and some serialized number plaques, the result is a truck that brings exclusive appeal to match its stump-pulling torque figure.

Pricing and availability

In keeping with a quarter of a century of American independence, Hennessey has stated that it will build just 250 examples of its VelociRaptor 1200 F-250.

Hennessey Performance

Each conversion amounts to a $54,500 upgrade over the base F‑250 Lariat. That said, it does come backed by a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty, and it is available to purchase through Ford dealers.

Considering the price of rival trucks like the revived Ram TRX, this is one pickup that’s for buyers with especially deep pockets. Still, it features some special Hennessey touches along with sweet 250th badging, so it’s sure to stand out even compared to Tremor alternatives.

Hennessey Performance

Hennessey VelociRaptor 1200 Ford F-250

• Starts at $54,500

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