R400k to Unleash 705HP? This Ford F-150 Upgrade is Properly Befok

Forget load shedding anxiety – imagine a bakkie that delivers 705 horsepower. Roush just dropped a limited-edition supercharger kit for the Ford F-150, and it's enough to make a grown man question his life choices (and his bank balance). This isn’t your granddad’s Ford; this is American muscle cranked up to eleven, draped in red, and celebrating…well, a couple of things. Let’s unpack this properly, bru. ## So, What's the Kak About This 'Red Edition'?: Roush isn’t just slapping some paint on a supercharger for the fun of it. This “Red Edition” kit is a double celebration: Roush Performance is turning 50, and America is celebrating its 250th birthday. Jislaaik, a bit of a milestone party, eh? Now, whether your average South African gives two hoots about America’s birthday is another story. But the fact remains, this limited-production release is all about the aesthetics – specifically, a red-painted supercharger housing. The kit itself, mechanically, is identical to the existing one. It’s a lekker touch for the collectors, maybe, but for the rest of us? It’s mostly marketing, let's be real. ## 705 Horsepower: Is That Actually a Big Deal? Okay, let's get down to brass tacks. 705 horsepower. Is that actually *impressive*? Short answer: yes. Long answer: it depends what you’re used to. In the South African context, we’re talking serious power. Most bakkies on our roads aren’t even sniffing that number. Think about it: the average Toyota Hilux or Ford Ranger is putting out, what, 150-200 horsepower? This is on another level. Roush already had a kit bumping the 5.0L V8 to 705hp, and this Red Edition does exactly the same. To put it into perspective, Car and Driver tested an F-150 with Ford’s own FP700 kit (making a slightly less potent 700 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque) and clocked a 0-60mph time of 4.2 seconds. That's quicker than a Golf R, bru. The F-150 Raptor R, with its 720-hp 5.2L V8, managed 3.6 seconds. So, expect this Red Edition to be properly quick – potentially hitting 60mph in around the same 4-second mark. ## The Price Tag: US$8899.99 – Worth the Rands? Here's where things get a little…painful. The Roush Red Edition supercharger kit will set you back US$8899.99. At today’s exchange rate (around R18.50 to the US dollar – and let’s be honest, it’s probably going to get worse), that's roughly R165,649.92. Eish. That’s a significant chunk of change. You could buy a very decent used bakkie for that kind of money. Or, you could get a seriously decked-out Nando’s order for life (okay, maybe not *life*, but a long time). In South Africa, you could also look at aftermarket performance upgrades for existing bakkies, but nothing will give you this level of power for a similar price. It's a premium product for a premium enthusiast. ## What Does This Kit Actually *Do*? This isn't just a sticker and a coat of paint. The kit includes a whole heap of upgrades to handle that extra grunt. We’re talking a 2.65-liter roots-type supercharger with twin four-lobe rotors, a forged aluminum crankshaft damper (important for longevity), a new air intake, a larger radiator to keep things cool, an intercooler, new spark plugs, and the necessary software tweaks to make it all sing. It also boosts torque to a claimed 635 pound-feet. Basically, they've reinforced everything to prevent it from blowing up the first time you floor it. ## Will It Make Your F-150 Fly? (Performance Expectations) As mentioned, Roush doesn’t offer official performance figures for the Red Edition. But, given the similar output to the FP700 kit, we can safely assume it’ll be properly quick. Expect a 0-60mph time in the low 4-second range. Whether that translates to anything useful on the N1 during peak hour is debatable. But it'll definitely impress the guys at the braai. ## Limited Edition: FOMO or Genuine Collectibility? Roush is playing coy about future releases. Their product page states, “We're not promising this color comes back. We're also not promising it won't.” That’s a clever marketing tactic, stirring up some Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO). Is it a genuine collector's item? Maybe. It depends how much value collectors place on cosmetic differences. It's likely aimed at the serious Ford fanatic who wants something a little different. ## Can You Even *Get* This in South Africa? Here's the kicker. Getting this kit to South Africa is going to be a mission. Importing it will involve hefty shipping costs, import duties, and potentially a headache with getting it certified for road use. Plus, finding a mechanic who’s comfortable installing and tuning a supercharger of this complexity could be tricky. It's not impossible, but it’s definitely not a plug-and-play operation. You’d need a serious commitment (and a deep pocket) to make this happen. You’re looking at a total cost, including import and installation, easily exceeding R250,000. So, is the Roush Red Edition worth it? If you’ve got a 2021-2026 Ford F-150, a serious need for speed, and a bank account that can handle it, then absolutely. It’s a befok upgrade that’ll turn heads and deliver a serious adrenaline rush. But for most South Africans, it’s a lekker dream best left to the Yanks. Now, if you're thinking of modifying your current bakkie, but want to stay a little closer to home…are South African-developed performance upgrades a viable alternative? We’ll dive into the local tuning scene next.