Ford Raptor T1+ ready for Dakar Rally
T1+ category
The T1+ category is the highest caliber of competition classification in the FIA rally world, with purpose-built vehicles powered by production engines. The Ford Raptor T1+ is designed to meet those standards. With a powerful version of the Ford Coyote V8 engine, the advanced FOX suspension and a lightweight but robust chassis, this racer is ready to withstand the extreme heat and relentless terrain of the Dakar Rally. During many rigorous tests, conducted both during previous races and beyond, the Raptor T1+ has been perfected into a race-ready beast.
Ford Raptor T1+ specifications
Curious about the specs? Coming up! The Ford Raptor T1+ is 4,574 mm long, 2,300 mm wide and its wheelbase is 3,000 mm. The behemoth weighs 2,010 kilograms and features a 520-liter fuel tank. For propulsion, as mentioned, a 5.0-liter Darkhorse V8 engine with 32 valves provides power. The powerplant – with 360 hp and 540 Nm of torque – drives all wheels via an AWD system. Shifting is done with a Sadev sequential six-speed transmission.
Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Performance: “The Dakar Rally is the pinnacle of off-road racing and this is where legends are born. With the Raptor T1+ and our exceptional team of drivers, we are not just competing to win, we want to demonstrate the strength, sustainability and innovativeness that Ford stands for. This is another milestone for Ford Performance and our partners at M-Sport, and we are ready to take on the challenge.”
Dream Team: four drivers
The teams that will race the Ford Raptor T1+ will be driven by motorsports champions, each with unique expertise:
- Carlos Sainz Sr.: four-time and reigning Dakar champion and motorsport icon who combines decades of experience with a tireless drive for precision.
- Mattias Ekström: famous for his versatility in rallycross, DTM and Dakar. Ekström’s adaptability and technical acumen are second to none.
- Mitch Guthrie Jr.: Emerging American talent with victories in events such as the King of the Hammers. Guthrie Jr. represents the next generation of off-road experts.
- Nani Roma: two-time Dakar champion in both the motorcycle and car categories. His experience and strategic expertise are invaluable to the team that participated in 2024 with the Ford Ranger T1.
Dakar Rally 2025
The Dakar Rally has been a symbol of human and mechanical endurance for more than four decades. Participants will cover nearly 8,000 kilometers from January 3 to 17, spread over 12 stages from Bisha to Shubaytah. Each stage demands the utmost from the drivers and co-drivers who are given their route only moments before the start and where the terrain and weather can vary extremely.
