Ford Raptor T1+ Race Truck Debuts with V8 Engine at Goodwood FoS; To Enter Dakar in 2025
The Raptor T1+ is powered by a 5.0-liter Coyote-based V8 engine, featuring a unique dry-sump oil system and custom exhaust, delivering immense power and torque for the harsh conditions of the Dakar Rally.
By Divyam Dubey
Ford Performance has unveiled the new Ford Raptor T1+, engineered to tackle the formidable Dakar Rally. Developed in partnership with M-Sport Ltd., a long-time motorsport collaborator, the Raptor T1+ features cutting-edge suspension technology and a robust V8 engine, fine-tuned for optimal performance in demanding rally raid conditions. Drawing on insights from previous Dakar Rally experiences, Ford will enter a four-truck team in the January 2025 race. The driver lineup is impressive, with four-time Dakar champion Carlos Sainz driving one Raptor T1+. Nani Roma, a motorsport legend and one of only three people to win Dakar on both two and four wheels will drive another. The remaining two drivers will be announced by Ford later this year.
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Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsports Mark Rushbrook said: 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. 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.”
Ford Raptor T1+: Mechanical Spec
The Raptor T1+ is powered by a 5.0-litre Coyote-based V8 engine, delivering immense power and torque for rugged terrains. This engine features a unique dry-sump oil system and a custom exhaust designed for the harsh conditions of the Dakar Rally.
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The truck also emphasizes agility and control with its advanced suspension system, featuring independent double-wishbone setups at both the front and rear. Each wheel has sophisticated Fox Coilover dampers, with three-way adjustable and four-way adjustable external bypass and remote reservoirs, ensuring exceptional performance and durability in extreme conditions.
The Raptor T1+ will demonstrate its capabilities before the Dakar Rally, starting with the Baja Hungary from August 8-10, 2024, a challenging course for testing technical driving skills. Next is the Rallye du Maroc from October 4-11, 2024, a weeklong event in Morocco that mirrors the diverse terrains of Saudi Arabia. The ultimate challenge will be the 2025 Dakar Rally from January 4-17, 2025, where all four Raptor T1+ trucks will compete, pushing both drivers and machines to their limits.
