This is now a Ford Raptor on a steroid overdose and is the company’s challenger for the most arduous of offroad events, the Dakar Rally. Ford Performance, along with some of the brightest minds in off-road racing, has created the new Ford Raptor T1+.
Drawing on insights from this year's Dakar Rally, the truck boasts an advanced suspension, V8 performance, and a purpose-built design, primed to conquer the harshest rally raid terrains. Unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Raptor T1+ is engineered in collaboration with Ford Performance's long-term partners, M-Sport Ltd.
"Taking on a challenging race like Dakar is a formidable task for all of us at Ford Performance, but we have never backed down from a challenge," says Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports.
"To tackle this, we have teamed up with the best in the industry, M-Sport and Red Bull, showing our serious commitment to this project. The Ford Raptor T1+ marks a significant step in our global off-road vision – we aim to compete with the best and prove ourselves in the toughest conditions. The lessons from the Raptor T1+, along with competing with stock trucks in the Baja 1000 and Finke Desert Race, will enhance the Raptor vehicles for our customers."
Insuring your Raptor could not be easier - click here
The new Ford Raptor T1+ will be piloted by four teams of drivers and navigators, including rally drivers Carlos Sainz Sr. with navigator Lucas Cruz, and Nani Roma with navigator Alex Haro. Additional driver teams will be announced later this year.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—to support Ford Performance as they head to Dakar with the new Ford Raptor T1+ is going to be an incredible adventure,” says Matt Wilson, M-Sport director and Dakar Team Manager. “We have already completed 10 000 kilometres of testing in some of the harshest conditions, so we feel ready to tackle this ultimate challenge starting at Baja Hungary next month.”
The Ford Raptor T1+ features a front and rear independent double-wishbone suspension in collaboration with Fox, outfitting each wheel with coilover three-way adjustable and four-way adjustable external bypass dampers with remote reservoirs, ensuring superior handling and durability in extreme conditions.
The vehicle sits on 8,5-inch by 17-inch aluminium wheels with 37-inch tyres, paired with front and rear 355 mm Alcon ventilated discs and six-piston monoblock callipers, offering up to 350 mm of wheel travel.
Related Content: South Africa's Ford Rally-Raid Ranger
Equipped with a 5,0-litre Coyote-based engine, the Ford Raptor T1+ delivers the power and torque needed for rugged terrain, featuring a unique dry-sump oil system and a tuned exhaust designed for Dakar challenges.
The vehicle’s T45 steel space frame and carbon fibre body panels combine functionality with Ford’s signature Raptor aesthetics, such as 400 mm ground clearance, a wide stance for improved off-road stability, and a distinctive grille. The Ford Raptor T1+ has a minimum weight of 2 010 kg, a width of 2 300 mm and an approach angle of more than 70 degrees.
Its first real competition test will come next month in the Baja Hungary that is known for its twisting course demanding technical driving skills and offers an opportunity to apply technical insights to optimise the vehicle.
This will be followed by the 2024 Rallye du Maroc in October where two teams will compete in this crucial final testing ground ahead of the Dakar Rally. Rallye du Maroc offers diverse and challenging terrains closely mirroring those found in Saudi Arabia, with the week-long competition held in Morocco.
Colin Windell
Proudly CHANGECARS
