Ford’s Raptor Racing Truck Set to Conquer 2025 Dakar Rally

Sneak Peek: Blue Oval’s Exciting New Teaser!

Ford Performance has recently declared its participation in the 2025 edition of the grueling Dakar Rally, widely recognized as one of the toughest motor racing competitions in existence. Their new contender will be a specialized Raptor race truck, drawing from valuable experience gained during this year’s ongoing race.

The car manufacturer has released a solitary preview picture, providing us with a glimpse of what is to come from the customized racing pickup. The striking Ford logo, painted in red, takes center stage on the front grille, connecting the vehicle’s design to its street-going counterparts such as the F-150 Raptor and Ranger Raptor. The C-shaped daytime running lights exude a threatening aura, bearing resemblance to those seen on the Ranger but appearing wider and flatter, hinting at the uniqueness of the Dakar truck.

2024 Season Launch Event | Ford Performance

The artificial hood seems unusually level (when compared to the Ranger and F-150), but the protruding fenders are noticeably prominent in order to accommodate a wider wheelbase and extended suspension. Ford has officially announced that the upcoming Dakar competitor will be created in collaboration with M-Sport, a team of UK-based engineers who have previously partnered with the Blue Oval on multiple occasions. This includes their work on the M-Sport Fiesta WRC and the current Ford Puma WRC rally vehicle.

Ford recently revealed that their entry for the 2025 Dakar Rally will be a “custom-built” car, using the Ranger Raptor as its base and adhering to T1+ standards. However, for the 2024 race, Ford will still be using a previous model of the Ranger Raptor, but with significant modifications.

The NWM FIA T1+ Ford Ranger competing in this year’s competition is equipped with a dual-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, generating a solid output of 402 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. It will be quite intriguing to witness whether Ford Performance opts to stick with the 3.5-liter V6 in their upcoming Dakar race car.

Ford has made an intriguing announcement, stating that they will utilize the 2024 Dakar Rally as a valuable opportunity to gain knowledge and insight that they can then apply to their project for the following year. In a statement prior to the event, Mark Rushbrook, the global director of Ford Performance Motorsports, shared, “Our initial experience at Dakar will serve as a valuable learning journey that will greatly influence our approach in future competitions.” He also emphasized that their focus is not solely on winning, but also on utilizing the experience to enhance their products for their customers.

We are excited to gain further knowledge on the upcoming Dakar racer, and we anticipate it will serve as valuable inspiration for the development of future Ford trucks and off-road vehicles, as promised.