Chichester is a long way from the Empty Quarter; the driveway at the bottom of the Duke of Richmond’s garden is some distance from the towering dunes which sit in wait in Al-Hofuf. Both will play their part in the story of Ford’s Raptor T1+.
Ford’s all-new, M-Sport-engineered Dakar-bound car was revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on Friday with confirmation of a competitive debut at next month’s Baja Hungary (August 8-10). After running one car at that maiden outing, M-Sport will prepare a pair of Raptors for Rallye du Maroc, what’s become the traditional Dakar loosener in October.
Already confirmed for the program, Carlos Sainz and Nani Roma will be joined by further crews at next year’s Dakar.
Global director of Ford Performance Mark Rushbrook was open about the thinking behind and importance of the Raptor campaign, stating: “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.”
M-Sport director and Dakar team manager Matthew Wilson was similarly forthright about the Cumbrian firm’s work with Ford, a manufacturer it has partnered with since the start of the 1997 World Rally Championship.
Wilson said: “This is the kind of opportunity that comes once in a lifetime – to support Ford Performance as they head to Dakar with this new Ford Raptor T1+ is going to be an incredible adventure. We have already completed 10,000 kilometers (6,213 miles) of testing in some of the harshest conditions we could find so we feel ready to take on this ultimate challenge starting at Baja Hungary next month.”
What’s beneath the skin?
A Ford Coyote-sourced five-liter V8 engine – complete with a unique dry-sump oil system and tuned exhaust designed specifically for Dakar – powers a Raptor T1+ composed of a T45 steel spaceframe chassis wrapped in carbon fiber panels. The car weighs in at 2010 kilograms, is 2300 millimeters wide and enjoys the Raptor’s signature 400mm of ground clearance.
Connecting the car to the ground is some serious damping control, with Fox providing coil-over three-way and four-way adjustable external bypass dampers with remote reservoirs and independent double-wishbone suspension. Bolted on are 355mm Alcon discs with six-piston calipers, covered by 17-inch wheels and 37-inch tires.
