Ford Raptor T1+ to Enter the 2025 Dakar Rally
Ford has built a truck to drive on an off-road rally course.
On Friday, the Ford Raptor T1+ debuted at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The off-roader was custom built based on parameters specifically set to challenge and win the 2025 Dakar Rally in January.
Ford has remained silent on key details of the rally. It is a collaboration between Ford Performance and M-Sport, Inc. and features an engine not available to consumers in the street-legal Raptor product: a Ford naturally aspirated 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 engine. Performance figures for this engine have not been released, but according to Ford, it is equipped with a dry sump oil system and exhaust designed for Dakar Rally conditions.
Ford has equipped the Raptor T1+ with a custom front and rear double wishbone independent suspension system developed in conjunction with Fox. The coilovers are combined with 3-way adjustable and 4-way adjustable dampers with external bypass and remote reservoirs to help expel heat buildup. According to Ford, the Raptor T1+ has a maximum wheel travel of 13.77 inches and a minimum ground clearance of 15.74 inches. Approach angles are over 70 degrees, but depature and breakover angles have not been disclosed.
The off-roader rides on 17-inch aluminum wheels wrapped around 37-inch off-road tires. 355 mm Alcon ventilated disc brakes, combined with monoblock calipers, are located at all four corners.
The chassis is a special T45 steel space frame covered with carbon fiber body panels. The grille reads Ford in large capital letters. The entire package weighs 4,431 pounds and has an overall width of 90.55 inches.
To prepare the Raptor T1+, Ford conducted 6,213 miles of testing in the most extreme environments; prior to the 2025 Dakar Rally, the Raptor T1+ will compete in the 2024 Baja Hungary in August and the 2024 Rally du Maroc in October.
In May, Ford announced that Carlos Sainz Sr. and Nani Roma, father of Ferrari F1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr. would be two of the four drivers in the Dakar Off-Roader. Additional drivers will be announced later this year.
