Ford Racing today pulled the covers off the updated version of the Ford Raptor T1+: a purpose-built machine forged in the deserts and ready to take on some of the greatest off-road challenges in the world. After a podium finish at the 2025 Dakar Rally and a strong World Rally-Raid Championship season, the team returns with lessons learned, scars earned, and an unrelenting desire to fight for the top step.
“Dakar is the ultimate test of endurance for machines and teams, and also the ultimate proving ground for the kinds of technologies that we will bring to our customers in the future” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Racing. “We left Dakar 2025 proud of a podium but unsatisfied, because at Ford we never rest. This updated Raptor represents everything we learned, everything we improved, and everything we’re willing to push further as we set our sights on Dakar 2026.
The updated Raptor T1+ will be campaigned at the Rallye du Maroc this fall, its proving ground before the ultimate test at the 2026 Dakar Rally.
The updated Raptor is shorter overall—4394mm bumper to bumper—with redesigned bodywork that sheds excess strakes for a cleaner, more aerodynamic profile. Gullwing doors replace the original butterfly design, giving drivers easier access and larger windows for improved visibility in punishing desert conditions. Rearview cameras take the place of traditional mirrors, and a polycarbonate laminate windscreen now stands between driver and dust storms. Up front, new daytime running lights cut through the dune dust.
The shock system designed in partnership with FOX has been lightened and paired with updated internals to capture faster spring absorption. Riding on Method wheels as part of a partnership with Ford, and shod with the latest BFGoodrich KDR EVO tires, the updated Raptor is engineered to endure the brutal punishment of rally raid. Every adjustment and redesign reflects hard-earned knowledge from Dakar 2025, where the Raptor not only finished but achieved a podium against the fiercest competition - and conditions - in the world.
‘Our first Dakar Rally in the Ford Raptor T1+ was a tough yet rewarding event with a 3rd and 5th final place leaving us pleased but definitely wanting more,’ said Matthew Wilson, Team Principal and Managing Director, M-Sport Ltd. Development has been ongoing, and while we planned some changes to be made even before we took to the start line in 2025, our list of learnings and adjustments to be made continued to grow as the race went on. Everyone at M-Sport has worked incredibly hard together with Ford Racing to design, develop and engineer parts and test over tens of thousands of kilometres to gain driver feedback and optimise the updated Raptor T1+ ahead of our return to the 2026 Dakar Rally. We look forward to what lies ahead and can’t wait to be back racing.’
For Ford, this is proof of the company’s grit and resolve - the same spirit that built trucks for the jobsite and for the family driveway. Dakar is one of the harshest laboratories in the world, and every stage pushes the Raptor program closer to its core mission: to transfer innovation and toughness from competition vehicles to production Raptors.
The updated Ford Raptor now carries that mission forward, leaner, sharper, and hungrier than ever, on the road to Dakar 2026.
