Ford Performance Confirms Participation in 2025 Dakar Rally with New Raptor Race Truck

Upcoming Dakar Entrant to be Based on the Ranger Raptor and Developed in Collaboration with M-Sport

Ford Performance has officially announced its participation in the 2025 Dakar Rally, marking the brand’s entry into one of the most challenging motorsport events. The automaker plans to compete with a new Raptor-branded race truck, drawing insights from the ongoing 2024 Dakar Rally. A teaser image provides a glimpse of the bespoke racing truck, featuring a dominating red Ford script on the radiator grille, reminiscent of the design seen on road-going Raptor trucks like the F-150 Raptor and Ranger Raptor.

The teaser reveals C-shaped daytime running lights (DRLs), resembling those found on the Ranger but appearing broader and flatter, suggesting a unique design for the Dakar racer. The faux hood appears flat, and the flared arches indicate a wider track and long-travel suspension. Ford confirms that the Dakar entrant will be developed in collaboration with M-Sport, the UK-based engineering firm known for its work on various Ford projects, including the M-Sport Fiesta WRC and the current Ford Puma WRC rally car.

The 2025 Dakar Rally vehicle from Ford Performance will be a “custom-built” truck based on the Ranger Raptor and built to T1+ specifications. The 2024 Dakar Rally currently features a heavily modified previous-generation Ranger Raptor from Ford, powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine generating 402 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Ford has not yet confirmed the powertrain details for the upcoming Dakar racer, but the announcement mentions the use of lessons learned from the 2024 event in the development of the 2025 project.

Ford emphasizes that its participation in Dakar serves not only to compete but also to gather valuable insights for building better products for customers. The company views the 2024 Dakar Rally as a learning adventure, with the knowledge gained influencing future endeavors in motorsports and product development. Further details about the next-generation Dakar racer are eagerly anticipated as Ford prepares for this new and challenging chapter in its motorsport history.