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Hennessey slaps a pair of turbos on Ford’s Raptor 6.2 [w/Video]
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: Aftermarket, Performance, Truck, Ford, Off-Road
Well of course they did. If John Hennessey is known for anything, it’s strictly adhering to the “Needs more power!” motif. This guy could watch a shuttle launch and return to his lab plotting a third booster. So yes, Hennessey has slapped two turbochargers onto Ford’s batty-yet-burly F150-mutant Raptor 6.2 and produced the VelociRaptor 600 and 800, two products that will nicely compliment the existing Hennessey VelociRaptor 500, a supercharged version of the Raptor 5.4.
Through the magic of forced induction, power grows from the 6.2-liter V8 Raptor’s stock 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque to a slightly-goofy 602 hp and 622 lb-ft of twist in the V-Rap 600. Not enough for you? Hennessey either, which is why he’s also selling the VelociRaptor 800. Get all the liquids out of your mouth now, as the engine stonks it up to the Texas-sized tune of 810 hp and 745 lb-ft of torque. Can we borrow an exclamation point?
We know what you’re thinking — the Bentley Mulsane’s twin-turbo V8 makes 752 pound-feet of torque, besting the Hennessey 800 by seven pounds of twisting force. However, the Hennessey VelociRaptor 800 makes 305 more ponies than the British thoroughbred, weighs less (what doesn’t?) and can keep up with the hounds no matter the fox hunt. That said, the Muslanne has a nicer interior. Think we’re being silly? We are, because engines like this bend our minds a bit. Remember, 810 hp is nearly 100 hp more than a Ferrari 599XX.
But what if you already have a Raptor 6.2, want more power but don’t want two turbochargers? Again, no problem, as Hennessey is also announcing the VelociRaptor 475, that through better breathing and some reprogramming, ups the big V8’s output to 475 hp and 485 lb-ft of torque. Dang. Watch the video after the jump.
[Source: Hennessey]
Continue reading Hennessey slaps a pair of turbos on Ford’s Raptor 6.2 [w/Video]
Hennessey slaps a pair of turbos on Ford’s Raptor 6.2 [w/Video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Pics Aplenty: 2010 SMS Supercars 460 Mustang
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Ford
You are looking at one of about 25 2010 SMS 460 Mustangs that Steve Saleen’s new company SMS Supercars is building. Why so few? Because production of the new SMS 302 that’s based on the 2011 Mustang GT and its sweeeet 5.0-liter V8 has already begun. However, that car’s in the future – the SMS 460 is now. Sporting a supercharged V8 good for 470 horsepower and about 460 pound-feet or torque, a fully tweaked suspension and slick-looking body kit, the 2010 SMS 460 has plenty of curb and track appeal. Plus, with less than 25 cars left to purchase (you are looking at an already sold customer car, which is why we couldn’t drive it), this is sure to be a Steve Saleen collector’s item.
Now, about the upcoming SMS 302; it should be a real humdinger and will be available as either a normally aspirated beast or supercharged monster(s). The “base” version should up the GT’s already amazing numbers (412 horsepower, 390 pound-feet of torque) to around 450 hp/430 lb-ft. Again, that’s without the aid of forced induction. Of course, there will be a supercharged SMS 302 or two prowling the streets as well. How much gumption? Figure it to be on par with the GT500, around 550 hp.
Then of course there’s the only-spoken-of-in-hushed-tones SMS 351X, which is sure to be a range topper’s range topper. No final word yet, but SMS is hoping for about 665 hp and about the same amount of torque. Time to buy stock in a tire company as that’s over 100 ponies more than the already unbelievably potent (and tire shredding) 2011 Shelby GT500. Let’s just end it by saying we can’t wait to drive all three of ‘em. For now, enjoy these pics.
Gallery: 2010 SMS 460 Mustang
[Source: SMS Supercars]
Pics Aplenty: 2010 SMS Supercars 460 Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
IIHS awards Top Safety Picks to Audi, Ford, Hyundai and VW on strength of roofs
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: Car Buying, Safety, Audi, Ford, Hyundai, Lincoln, Mercury, Volkswagen
Perish the thought, haters! The above Lincoln MKT is getting its roof caved in not on aesthetic grounds, but rather to test its ability to survive a rollover accident. If you haven’t guessed by now, the MKT did so well in the roof-crush test that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) handed parent company Ford a much coveted Top Safety Pick award. Actually, the IIHS handed FoMoCo a hefty total of five rollover-related Top Safety Pick awards. However we should note that one of the Ford products earning top marks is in fact the soon to be extinct Mercury Millan, so really Ford only nabbed four – but who’s counting? Other good-to-rollover-in Ford products include the Flex, Fusion and Lincoln MKZ.
Speaking of thick-sculled corporate cousins, Audi and Volkswagen were handed a couple of Top Safety Picks, too. The 2010 Audi A4 and Q5 as well as the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen all earned top marks from the IIHS. As far as the Jetta goes, that’s just one more reason to choose wagon over sedan. Finally, the new 2010 Hyundai Tucson gets the coveted TSP, and having recently driven the overly-stiff compact CUV, we’re not at all surprised that its roof holds up to crushing. To get the dirt on the IIHS’s methodology/read the press release, make the jump.
[Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]
Continue reading IIHS awards Top Safety Picks to Audi, Ford, Hyundai and VW on strength of roofs
IIHS awards Top Safety Picks to Audi, Ford, Hyundai and VW on strength of roofs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Battle of the Sixes: Ford Mustang V6 takes on Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 and Nissan 370Z
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: Coupe, Performance, Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, Reviews
This comparison test couldn’t have happened just a few short months ago. Sure, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe has been around since 2009. And not counting a seven-year walkabout, the Datsun/Nissan Z has been with us in one form or another since the first moon landing. Want to talk old? The Ford Mustang dates back to the invention of the wheel. At least it seems that way.
So why no comparison until now? Because until quite recently, Ford’s entry level V6-powered Mustang was never really a sports car. The heavy, near impotent Cologne iron-block V6 was a joke, fit for little more than rental car duty, and it wasn’t even terribly adept at that. But the non-V8 pony car has undergone some significant changes for 2011 – the biggest being its all-aluminum V6 producing 305 horsepower and 280 pound feet of torque – allowing it to finally hang with these two V6-powered competitors from across the Pacific.
At least on paper.
Read on to find out which V6-powered sports car reigns supreme. If you can’t wait, skip right to the results.
Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
Battle of the Sixes: Ford Mustang V6 takes on Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 and Nissan 370Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 May 2010 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.