Ford Raptor – the American producer’s new contender for 2025 Dakar Rally

Ford, along with its long-time World Rally Championship associate M-Sport, has designed the brand new Raptor T1+ to tackle the Dakar Rally.

With a star-studded line-up together with previous winners Carlos Sainz Sr and Nani Roma, former Audi star Mattias Ekstrom and promising teenager Mitch Guthrie Jr, the American producer is already seen as a favorite for the forty seventh version of the world’s hardest rally-raid.

Right here’s a have a look at the technical facet of the brand new Raptor:

Engine

The Ford Raptor is powered by a Coyote V8 engine able to delivering 268kW or 360bhp of energy, though the precise determine would rely on the FIA’s new Torque Meter.

The motor sends energy to all 4 wheels, that are 37 inches in diameter and weigh 30 kilograms. Ford has employed a Sadev six-speed sequential gearbox whereas torque is managed by a limited-slip central differential, which will be adjusted on ramps or every other sort of scenario.

Suspension

The Raptor options an unbiased entrance and rear suspension system with the intention of maximising sturdiness with a light-weight design and minimising unsprung mass. It has a complete of eight FOX shock absorbers, 4 coilovers, 4 exterior bypasses and eight Eibach springs to realize the 350mm of wheel journey required by the rules.

FOX is a brand new provider chosen by Ford and the corporate has the expertise of taking part in different extremely demanding checks, such because the Baja 1000 and the King of the Hammers. As for the double Eibach springs, they supply progressive stiffness, which ensures that the car doesn’t backside out and is comfy at each excessive and low speeds.

The exterior bypass shock absorbers are designed to soak up the toughest impacts, with 5 adjustment positions for even higher management. Moreover, the damping charges enhance all through the wheel journey to make sure the drivers really feel protected and guarded throughout exhausting landings.

Aerodynamics

Ford has devoted quite a lot of sources to aerodynamics with the Raptor to enhance the efficiency of the automobile in each straight strains and through corners. With the car weighing 2,010kg, it was necessary to give attention to this facet, even to the degrees seen in Method 1. The aero was developed utilizing each computational fluid dynamic (CFD) testing and thru the usage of a wind tunnel.

Consolation

Consolation can also be an necessary facet of any Dakar car, given the variety of hours drivers should spend inside them over a interval of two weeks.

The Raptor has a built-in air conditioner which the drivers can use within the desert. Moreover, two-time Dakar winner Roma personally helped design the inside of the Raptor. Though the seats, pedals and steering will be totally adjusted by all drivers based on their private necessities, a 3D scan of Roma was used as a mannequin to design the cabin.

Technical specs of the Ford Raptor

Mannequin: Raptor T1+
Engine: Coyote V8
Capability: 5,000 cc
Energy: 268 kW [360 hp]
Size: 4.855 mm
Width: 2,300 mm [maximum]
Wheelbase: 3,000 mm
Weight: 2,010 kilograms
Physique: T45 metal body with carbon physique panels

Ford Raptor T1+

Photograph by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool

Transmission: 4-wheel drive, with 6-speed Sadev sequential gearbox with AP clutch, entrance, centre and rear restricted slip differentials with mechanical differential lock
Suspension: Double wishbone with two shock absorbers per wheel, with 4 FOX shock absorbers, adjustable in three positions and 4 FOX bypass shock absorbers adjustable in 5 positions, plus machined aluminum decrease uprights and wishbones
Gas tank: 520-litre capability, situated behind the security cell
Brakes: Entrance and rear 355mm Alcon discs with six-piston monobloc calipers and hydraulic handbrake
Tyres: 37-inch BFGoodrich KDR3 37×12.50-17
Steering: Excessive-ratio power-assisted rack and pinion
Electronics: Bosch digital information system for diagnostics and efficiency growth