Video: Tuned-up Ford Ranger goes up against the Raptor

It was only a little while ago that Hennessey Performance finished working on a performance upgrade for the Ford Ranger. Once installed, the VelociRaptor kit persuades the engine of the pickup truck to go from its standard 243 hp (181 kW) and 362 Nm (267 lbft) of torque all the way up to 306 hp (228 kW) and 507 Nm (374 lbft) of torque, measured at the rear wheels in both cases. Naturally, the company wanted to show off the upgrade by pitting the mid-size truck up against the formidable Ford Raptor.

Even in its production form, the Raptor comes equipped with an engine good for 450 hp (336 kW) and 691 Nm (510 lbft) of torque, making it hard for its younger sibling to compete. As always, however, there are a few nuances to consider. First, the quoted performance figures correspond to the engine power measured at the crank. This means that the actual amount of power reaching the wheels is considerably lower. Second, even the lightest Raptor still weighs over half a metric ton (1,100+ lbs) more than the fully-loaded Ford Ranger, which significantly affects its acceleration performance.

So, can the beefed-up Ranger beat its big brother in a drag race showdown? Watch the video to find out!

Photo: motor1.com