Ford unveils Dakar contender: the New Ford Raptor T1+
Ford Performance has unveiled its latest off-road beast, the New Ford Raptor T1+, alongside collaborators M-Sport LTD, and is set to make a serious bid for the Dakar Rally’s premier T1 title.
The purpose built, all-terrain, Coyote-based 5.0 V8, was unveiled at the legendary Goodwood Festival of Speed; and it won’t have to wait long for its major completion debut, as it’s set to make an appearance at the Hungarian Baja on August 8-10 after already being put though some 10,000 km of testing.
Piloting one of the four T1+ machine’s will be none other than elite off-roader and 2024 Dakar winner Carlos Sainz Sr ( Lucas Cruz – navigator), alongside his Spanish compatriot and fellow Dakar victor – Nani Roma (Alex Haro – navigator).
The Raptor T1+ has powered through 10,000 km of testing
The New Ford Raptor T1+ features an advanced suspension set up with adjustable Fox bypass dampers for superior handling and durability in extreme conditions, whilst its power and torque will come from its Coyote-based 5.0 V8 engine heart.
After taking on some serious learnings at the 2024 Dakar Rally, the new T1+ key features have been painstakingly geared toward taking out the world’s greatest off-road event in January 2025.
Advanced Suspension
The T1+ will feature a front and rear independent double wishbone suspension in partnership with Fox, who provided coilover three-way adjustable and four-way adjustable external bypass dampers with remote reservoirs outfitting each wheel, ensuring superior handling and durability in extreme conditions.
What’s it sitting on?
The T1+ utility vehicle sits on 8.5-inch by 17-inch aluminium wheels with 37-inch tires and is paired with front and rear 355mm Alcon ventilated discs and six piston monoblock callipers. The Ford Raptor T1+ has up to 350mm of wheel travel.
In the heart of the beast
Equipped with a 5.0L Coyote-based engine, the Ford Raptor T1+ has the right stuff for the rugged terrain, with the engine fitted with a unique dry-sump oil system and a tuned exhaust designed precisely for the challenges of Dakar.
Taking everything the desert has to throw at it
Design wise the T1+ is composed of a T45 steel spaceframe and carbon fibre body panels, which combines functionality with Ford’s signature Raptor aesthetics, such as: a 400mm ground clearance, a wide stance for improved off-road stability and a chiseled grille with an imposing
F-O-R-D emblazoned across the front. The Ford Raptor T1+ has a minimum weight of 2,010kgs, a width of 2,300mm and an approach angle of over 70°.
Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsports, Mark Rushbrook, says their Dakar ready beast is a collaboration with nothing but the best available partners.
“Taking on such a demanding race like Dakar is a daunting task for all of us at Ford Performance, but we have never shirked a challenge,” he said.
“To embrace this challenge, we have partnered with the best in the world with M-Sport and Red Bull and I think it shows how seriously we are taking this project. The Ford Raptor T1+ is a stake in the ground for our global off-road vision – we want to take on the best and prove ourselves in the toughest places on earth.
“The lessons we are learning from Raptor T1+, along with competing with stock trucks in Baja 1000 and Finke Desert Race, will help make Raptor vehicles even better for our customers.”
Bring on Dakar 2025!
Conversely, M-Sport Director and Dakar Team Manager Matt Wilson says that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity for the British engineering team.
“This is the kind of opportunity that comes once in a lifetime – to support Ford Performance as they head to Dakar with this new Ford Raptor T1+ is going to be an incredible adventure,” said Wilson.
“We have already completed 10,000 kilometres (6,213 miles) of testing in some of the harshest conditions we could find so we feel ready to take on this ultimate challenge starting at Baja Hungary next month.”
After the Hungarian Baja, it will then head to the FIA World Rally Raid’s season ending Rallye du Maroc on October 4-11, which will serve as a critical and final testing ground for the 2025, January 4-17, Dakar Rally.
With conditions in Morocco closely matched with the sand dunes and general terrain found in Saudi Arabia, the gruelling event will give Ford Performance and M-Sport the perfect data, technical engineering, and performance window for its January ambitions.
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