The Fastest Utes From 0 to 100 KMPH
Looking for fast utes? You wouldn't get disappointed.
Utility vehicles (also called pickup trucks in the US and other parts of the world) are best known for their excellent load carrying and towing capacity. Built mainly to transport cargoes and tow lighter vehicles like city cars and bikes, these workhorses used to be slow and heavy. Over the years, however, many models go above and beyond their expected purpose by providing a fast driving experience. The current crop of engines has proven they are more than workhorses, with the top-spec trims both powerful and fast. Some even have more horsepower than sports and racing cars.
If you are in the market for a ute, don’t be surprised to find several trims that combine utility, convenience, and speed. Here’s a list of the fastest utility vehicles that are available in the market today.
2019 Roush Nitemare F-150: 0-100 kph in 3.9 seconds
Price: Starts at $28,498
Said to be the fastest ute in the world and "the quickest production truck ever made", the American-born 2019 F-150 Nitemare is powered by a supercharged 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 that pumps out 485kW (650hp) of power and 827Nm (610ft-lb) of torque. The truck will “speed past most supercars on the way to the track or the lumber yard”, reads its official press release.
The “ultimate performance street truck” is customized with an exhaust system for a unique sound, side-exit exhaust tips for a race-inspired style, and an optional dual-tip active exhaust system that allows drivers to choose between four settings: a touring mode, wide-open mode, sport mode, and custom mode. The car also comes with a console-mounted dial to let drivers switch effortlessly between each of the exhausts system’s valve positions for an adaptive engine sound on the fly. Drivers can also personalize the exhaust sound using a mobile app.
The Nitemare F-150 rides on custom 22-inch wheels wrapped in Continental Crosscontact LX20 285/45R22 tires for superior traction. Its exterior is also modified with unique features like the custom grille with integrated accent lighting, a front bumper cover that works seamlessly with Ford’s adaptive cruise control system, and bold ROUSH graphics throughout the body including the signature hockey stripe side graphic. On top of its impressive performance and off-road capability is an industry-leading 3-year, 36,000-mile limited warranty.
Unfortunately, the 2019 Roush Nitemare is not sold in Australia. The country’s ute enthusiasts can get their own modified F-150 in the Aussie-developed F-150 Tickford Enhancement Package, which costs $24,500 (including GST).
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2019 VelociRaptor V8 Ford Raptor: 0-100 kph in 4.1 seconds
Price: Starts at $222,800
American car tuning company Hennessey Performance modified the engine bay of Ford F-150 Raptor by replacing the car’s 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 for a 5.0-litre V8 engine attached to a supercharger. The result is a 6,000-pound Raptor that produces 758 horsepower and skyrockets to 60 kph in only 4.1 seconds.
Apart from the engine modification, the car uses many Ford parts including the 10-speed transmission, wiring harness, and ECUs. There are, however, notable upgrades like the Stage 2 off-road suspension with a six-inch lift, 20-inch alloy wheels, 37-inch BF Goodrich KM03 off-road tires, VelociRaptor front and rear bumpers, LED front lights, and the full VelociRaptor body kit. There are also numbered plaques in the interior, matte black bull bar, auxiliary LED bumper lights, Hennessey embroidered headrests, and serial numbered plaques in the interior and engine bay.
The 2019 Hennessey VelociRaptor V8 is mated with the all-new 10-speed automatic transmission that transfers power and torque with quick shifts and maintains more engine power after each shift, resulting in a very responsive vehicle. The car comes with a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty that covers everything.
Made for the American buyers, the car is available directly from Hennessey or from select Authorized Hennessey Performance Ford dealers in the country.
2020 Ford F-150 Raptor: 0-100 kph in 5.1 seconds
Price: Starts at $81,725
Powered by a 450-hp twin-turbo V-6 and paddle-shifted 10-speed automatic transmission, the high-performance desert truck shoots to 60 kmph in as little as 5.1 seconds.
Built with big 33-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain tyres, lane-filling stance, widened F-150 body, long-travel suspension, and updated adaptive Fox Racing dampers, the latest Raptor model provides both an impressive off-road capability and ride comfort. Interior comforts include cooled front seats, leather seating surfaces, and touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, and several driver-assistance technologies
Still a ute despite its “fancy” features, the car can tow up to 8000 pounds and carry up to 1200 pounds in its bed. It also has a 283mm ground clearance and an 850mm water wading capacity.
While the car doesn’t come with complimentary scheduled maintenance, its limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles while its powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles.
2019 Volkswagen Amarok Ultimate V6 580: 0-100 kmph in 7.3 seconds
Price: $61,790 to $73,480
Released by Volkswagen Group Australia, the country’s fastest mainstream ute is powered by a 190kW@4500rpm and @1400-3000rpm 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel that’s capable of a quick 7.3 second 0-100kmph sprint.
The car comes with an “overboost” function that enables the power to go up to 200kW for short intervals. It’s accessible for 10 seconds in third or fourth gear when applying more than 70 per cent throttle. Meanwhile, the transmission is an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters with a manual shift mode for the lever.
The Fastest Utes of All Time
While car manufacturers continuously upgrade and improve their vehicles in the perpetual battle for marque supremacy, many fast utes have been produced in the past decades. These legends include:
- 2009 Toyota Tundra TRD Supercharged - 60 kph in 4.7 seconds
- 2004 Dodge Ram SRT10 - 0-60 kph in 4.9 seconds
- 2004 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning - 0-60 kph in 5.8 seconds
- 1991 GMC Syclone - 0-60 kph in 5.3 seconds
- 2015 Chevy Silverado 1500 - 0-60 kph in 5.7 seconds
- 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor - 0-60 kph in 5.8 seconds
- 2013 Toyota Tacoma X-Runner - 0-60 kph in 6 seconds
- 2003 Chevrolet Silverado SS - 0-60 kph in 6.3 seconds
- 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 All Terrain X - 0-60 kph in 6.6 seconds
- 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 - 0-60 kph in 7 seconds
- 2011 Toyota Tacoma - 0-60 kph in 7.3 seconds
- 2017 GMC Canyon - 0-60 kph in 7.5 seconds
While the production for these old car models has ceased, you can still find one in local and online used car dealerships. Don't hesitate to request a test drive so you know what you're getting.
There is no perfect time to buy a ute. If you need one now, find out how much you can afford. Call us on 1300 722 210 or apply for a Loan Pre-Approval.
See also:
The Best Utes in Australia Today
Australia's Top-Selling Cars in 2019
5 Exciting Luxury Cars for 2020
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Tom Caesar is the Managing Director of The Positive Group, a group of Australian financial services companies offering a broad range of finance to clients Australia wide. The Positive Group assist clients in the areas of car finance, mortgages, insurance & wealth management. Tom has been in car & asset finance for over 10 years. Tom regularly contributes articles on car finance, insurance, technology and business growth, drawing on his experience of starting his own brokerage in 2009.