Toughest ever Ford Ranger debuts at 2024 Festival of Speed

As you can see, it’s not like anything you’re likely to see on your local high street. For one thing, its construction comprises a steel spaceframe chassis clad with aggressively styled carbonfibre body panels. There are some carry-over aesthetics, most obviously around the car’s ‘face’ with its prominent Ford lettering set against the chiselled grille. 

While the Dakar Rally, which takes place in January, will be the pinnacle of the T1+’s racing programme, it will be put through its paces in two events in the lead-up, starting with Baja Hungary next month. That will be followed up by Rallye du Maroc in October, the Moroccan terrain providing a challenge akin to that of the Dakar Rally.

Ford collaborated with its long-term partner M-Sport to create the T1+. M-Sport manager and Dakar team manager Matt 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 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.” 

Power comes from Ford’s 5-litre Coyote V8, while suspension has been developed specifically for the job by Fox, prioritising handling and durability. It uses coil-over dampers all round, which are three-way adjustable with four-way adjustable external bypass dampers. It allows for 255mm of wheel travel, further enhanced by 37-inch tyres with generous side walls. Exactly what you need when tackling unforgiving topography. 

“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,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports. “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.” 

Four teams of drivers and navigators will drive the Raptor T1+, including Carlos Sainz Sr. with navigator Lucas Cruz, and Nani Roma with navigator Alex Haro. Further teams are yet to be announced.

While the T1+ bears little obvious relation to its road-going namesake, Ford insists that what’s learned at the sharp end of competition can be translated to showroom models. Rushbrook said: “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.”

The 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed is underway, and you can watch every moment of the action on our live stream right here on GRR!

Photography by Nick Wilkinson