HomeNews and EventsFord, Hennessey offer Bronco Raptors

Ford, Hennessey offer Bronco Raptors

Our occasional roundup of new car news and notes

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Ford has unveiled its 2022 Bronco Raptor, which it says is “the world’s first Ultra4 Racing-inspired SUV… capable of highway-speed desert-dune conquering and Baja rock-crawling.”

Empowering the Raptor, which is 9.8 inches wider than the base Bronco, is an “exclusive” twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine rated at more than 400 horsepower. Other equipment includes a Hoss 4.0 race-ready suspension, fully boxed frame and 37-inch all-terrain tires. 

Hennessey Performance VelociRaptor 400

Meanwhile, Hennessey Performance says it has pushed up production of its VelociRaptor 400 Bronco, which comes with 411 horsepower and 603 pound-feet of torque from its 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6. The Hennessey version, a $24,950 package (excluding the $6,000 full graphics package), is being unveiled this week at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction venue.

Pricing of the Ford Bronco Raptor was not included in its news release.

Peugeot unveils new Le Mans racer

Peugeot will send its 9X8 to race at Le Mans | Peugeot photos

Peugeot has unveiled its 9X8, the hybrid hypercar it will enter in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race this summer. 

Peugeot design director Matthias Hossann said his team and the Peugeot Sport engineers worked together on an unprecedented level to create the car within the new FIA regulations for endurance racing.

Perhaps the most striking element of the car’s design is its lack of a rear wing, a feature on Le Mans racing machines since 1967. 

“No car has won without a rear wing for over 50 years,” Peugeot noted (the last was in 1971, when the race was won by Porsche 917 K with tall rear tail fins). 

Peugeot won at Le Mans in the V10-powered 905 in 1992 and 1993 and against in 2009 with the V12 diesel-fueled 908. The 9X8 is a 4-wheel-driven hybrid with an electric motor in front and a twin-turbocharged 2.6-liter V6 at the rear.

The car also features special luminous components to make it easier to spot during the night portion of the race.

‘Fragment’ Maseratis in limited supply

Last summer, Maserati and Hiroshi Fujiwara, considered the godfather of Japanese street culture, launched a partnership, “Maserati Meets Fragment,” to produce a limited run of Ghiblis, the Operanera and the Operabianca.  

Maserati reports a limited number, fewer than 20, of the vehicles are available in the US marketplace and can be found through a page on the company’s website. The cars are priced in the low 6 figures.

“The collaboration between Fujiwara – the founder of streetwear brand Fragment – and Maserati, showcases Fujiwara’s modern street-style sensibilities and Maserati’s personalization program, Fuoriserie,” Maserati said in its announcement. “Through Fuoriserie, clients can customize their own Maserati tailored to their unique tastes.”

Williams Advanced Engineering acquired

William Advanced Engineering, a spinoff from Frank Williams’ Formula 1 program, is being acquired by Fortescue Metals Group and will be enfolded into Fortescue Future Industries, according to a news release.

“This acquisition brings together leading thinkers and engineers into one organization to drive progress and combat climate change, enabling Fortescue to become a major player in the growing global market for green industrial transport equipment,” according to the announcement.  

One goal for the new partnership is to reduce emissions in the heavy industrial and mining segments.  

Bentley Residences

Bentley joins Miami skyline

The Miami skyline is getting a new car, or at least a new residential tower that is car-related. Joining the Aston Martin Residences and the Porsche Design Tower will be the Bentley Residences Miami, according an announcement made in collaboration by Bentley Motors and Dezer Development.

“Setting an entirely new standard for luxury living, these two pioneering industry brands have joined forces for one of the most revolutionary, highly anticipated partnerships in the world of luxury and hospitality,” the news release said.

A sales gallery opens this month to provide a look at the private beachfront enclave that will include 216 units, each spanning 6,000-square-feet and with its own balcony swimming pool — and each starting at $4.2 million. 

To help launch the new residences, the Miami Speed & Style Rally that is part of the new Motorcar Cavalcade concours will end at the Bentley site early in the afternoon of January 29.

Larry Edsall
Larry Edsall
A former daily newspaper sports editor, Larry Edsall spent a dozen years as an editor at AutoWeek magazine before making the transition to writing for the web and becoming the author of more than 15 automotive books. In addition to being founding editor at ClassicCars.com, Larry has written for The New York Times and The Detroit News and was an adjunct honors professor at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

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