Ford Unveils New Raptor T1+: A Hardcore Off-Road Weapon Built to Conquer the Dakar Rally
At the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Ford made a splash by unveiling their latest creation, the Raptor T1+. This V8-powered off-road beast is a collaboration between Ford, Red Bull, and M-Sport, a long-standing motorsport partner of Ford. The Raptor T1+ is no ordinary vehicle; it’s built to take on the grueling Dakar Rally, and its drivers will be none other than World Rally Championship legend Carlos Sainz Sr and Nani Roma, who have both tasted victory at the Dakar Rally.
Before its appearance at the 2025 Dakar Rally next January, the Raptor T1+ will make its competition debut at the Baja Hungary in August 2024 and then head to the Rallye du Maroc in October. But this off-road machine is not entering these races blindly; it has already undergone rigorous testing in some of the harshest conditions imaginable, accumulating over 6000 miles of off-road testing.
Underneath its intimidating exterior, the Raptor T1+ has been heavily reinforced and optimized for various terrains, including dirt, gravel, sand, and water wading. It boasts four-way adjustable dampers and front and rear independent double wishbones built by renowned American off-road suspension specialist Fox. These components are complemented by 17-inch aluminum-cast alloys and massive 37-inch off-road tires, allowing for up to 350mm of wheel travel.
Powering the Raptor T1+ is Ford’s 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine, also found in their Mustang and F-150 pickup truck. However, in the Raptor T1+, the engine has been specially tuned and equipped with a bespoke exhaust system and dry-sump oil system commonly seen in motorsport applications. Official performance figures have yet to be released, but with the same engine producing 500bhp in the Mustang Dark Horse, it’s safe to assume the Raptor T1+ will match or exceed that figure.
In terms of design, the Raptor T1+ features a steel spaceframe chassis covered in lightweight carbon fiber body panels. It offers an impressive 400mm of ground clearance and a 70-degree approach angle, surpassing the capabilities of the Land Rover Defender 90, which has 291mm of ground clearance and a 38-degree approach angle.
To enhance off-road stability, the Raptor T1+ has been given a wide 2300mm stance. Despite its ruggedness, it still manages to maintain a total weight of 2010kg, showcasing Ford’s commitment to creating a high-performance off-road vehicle that doesn’t sacrifice agility.
Mark Rushbrook, Ford Performance’s global motorsport director, sees the Raptor T1+ as a statement of Ford’s global off-road vision. He is confident that the lessons learned from its development will translate into even better performance trucks for everyday customers.
With its bold design, powerful engine, and impressive off-road capabilities, the Ford Raptor T1+ is set to make waves in the off-road racing world. Fans and enthusiasts can’t wait to see how it performs in the upcoming races and witness its potential to conquer some of the toughest terrains on Earth.
