Each January, the Dakar Rally transforms the vast and unforgiving deserts of Saudi Arabia into the world’s toughest off-road proving ground. In 2025, Ford Performance is heading into the fray with its purpose-built Raptor T1+, developed in close partnership with M-Sport, to take on the ultimate challenge in the elite T1+ class.
Dakar: The Ultimate Test
Since its inception over four decades ago, the Dakar Rally has been a relentless test of both human endurance and mechanical resilience. Spanning nearly 5,000 miles over 12 grueling stages from Bisha to Shubaytah, the 2025 edition (running from January 3–17) promises extreme heat, unpredictable weather, and constantly shifting terrain. Competitors receive their route details only moments before each stage, making every decision a test of strategy and skill.
Enter the Ford Raptor T1+
To tackle the Dakar’s brutal demands, Ford Performance and M-Sport have developed the Raptor T1+—a machine purpose-built for the FIA’s top-tier T1+ rally raid category. This class allows for custom-built off-road racers powered by production-derived engines, and the Raptor T1+ fits the bill with race-focused precision.
Engineered for Endurance
At its core is a 5.0-liter V8 based on Ford’s proven Coyote engine architecture. A dry-sump oiling system ensures reliable lubrication in the harshest conditions, while a custom-tuned exhaust helps manage heat and optimize performance across the massive desert expanse.
Suspension to Conquer Anything
The Raptor T1+ rides on independent double-wishbone suspension front and rear, co-developed with FOX. Outfitted with three-way adjustable coilovers and four-way adjustable external bypass dampers, each corner is engineered to soak up the hits and keep the vehicle planted—even when flying over dunes or clawing through rock-strewn trails. With 350mm of wheel travel and 37-inch tires mounted on 17-inch aluminum wheels, the T1+ is built to dominate the terrain.
Built Like a Trophy Truck, Styled Like a Raptor
Underneath, the Raptor T1+ features a high-strength T45 steel spaceframe chassis, while lightweight carbon fiber panels keep weight in check. It maintains the aggressive DNA of the street-going Raptor with a wide stance, 400mm of ground clearance, and a massive approach angle of over 70°. Alcon brakes with six-piston calipers and 355mm ventilated discs at all four corners provide the stopping power needed in high-speed rally conditions.
A Rally-Bred Partnership
Ford’s alliance with M-Sport is the heart of this Dakar effort. With a legacy of rally success, M-Sport brings deep motorsport expertise, helping ensure every component of the Raptor T1+ is dialed in for the extreme. From testing under real race conditions to countless hours of development, the Raptor T1+ is the product of a focused, high-performance partnership.
Ready for the Challenge
As Ford Performance and M-Sport prepare to tackle the 2025 Dakar Rally, the Raptor T1+ stands as a bold symbol of endurance engineering and motorsport grit. It’s not just built for Dakar—it’s built to conquer it.
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