Ladies and gents, feast your eyes on the Ford Raptor T1+ – the V8 powerhouse engineered for one of the world's toughest motorsport events, the Dakar Rally. This wild-looking beast made its roaring debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, showing off its Coyote-based 5.0-litre engine and rally-ready prowess.

Sure, Ford's production-spec Raptors are cool and all, but the Raptor T1+ is on another level of awesome. Sadly, you won’t find this high-riding, V8-powered rally racer at your local dealership. It’s a pure-bred competition machine, crafted to conquer the brutal terrains of the Dakar Rally.

Let’s dive into the specs. The Ford Raptor T1+ boasts a sophisticated suspension system featuring double-wishbone design both front and rear, paired with adjustable Fox external-bypass dampers. It offers an impressive 350mm of travel, ensuring it can handle just about anything the Dakar throws at it. Sitting on chunky 37-inch off-road tyres mounted on striking 17-inch wheels, the T1+ has a ground clearance of 400mm – that’s over 50mm more than the Ford Bronco Raptor.

Built around a robust steel spaceframe with body panels crafted from carbon fibre, this Raptor means business. The livery is pure eye candy, decked out in a Red Bull-themed design thanks to Ford’s partnership with the energy drink giant – a relationship that kicked off when Ford announced its return to Formula 1 last year. Visual highlights include a front skid plate with a "Raptor" cutout and the iconic "FORD" grille lettering flanked by C-shaped lighting elements. And let's not forget the side-mounted spare tyres, a nod to its rugged functionality.

At the heart of this rally monster is the Coyote-based 5.0-litre V8 engine, featuring a dry-sump oil system and an exhaust built to endure the harsh rigours of racing. Ford hasn’t disclosed the exact horsepower figures, but the T1+ proved its mettle at Goodwood’s hill-climb event – powerful and oh-so-pleasing to the ears.

The Raptor T1+ story began last year when Ford teamed up with M-Sport to develop the Ranger-based race truck for the 2024 Dakar Rally. This August, rally legends Carlos Sainz Sr. and Nani Roma will pilot the T1+ in the next Dakar adventure, with two additional drivers to be announced soon. Mark your calendars for the next Dakar Rally, set for January 4–17, 2025.

Strap in, folks – the Raptor T1+ is set to make some serious waves in the world of rally racing.