Lack just one month until the Dakar 2025 starts in which Carlos Sainz must defend the title achieved last year. A challenge that this 47th will be even greater. Huge sand dunes, a timed stage of 48 hours and more than 1,000 km, plus fifteen days full of twists and turns in Saudi Arabia complete the most famous race in the world.
The adventure begins with a 29km high-speed prologue stage in Bisha on January 3. Then you get right into the action with the 48-hour Chrono Stage and the Marathon Stage during the first week of the rally. Participants who overcome these obstacles will have a well-deserved rest day in Hail on January 10. All roads lead to the Empty Quarter desert during the second week of the Dakar Rally 2025. It will be among the most formidable sand dunes in Saudi Arabia where, Ultimately, this latest edition of the rally will be won and lost. The checkered flag will fly in Shubaytah on January 17 and anyone who reaches the finish line of this Dakar can consider themselves a true hero.
Spanish is ready to face this new new challenge and will have a powerful weapon to take the crown.
The driver Carlos Sainz will compete with Ford, which confirmed a dream lineup with two Spanish Dakar champion drivers along with Nani Roma and a new car that is a true “desert beast.”
The Leonese Los Cucharales circuit last hosted the presentation of the official cars of Carlos Sainz and Nani Roma for the Dakar 2025. Both Sainz and Roma already know what it is to succeed in the Dakar, but in this edition they will try to repeat success with the Raptor T1+, a vehicle with which Nani already knows what it means to win in the 2024 Baja Hungary.
What is the Raptor T1+ like?
The four Ford Raptor T1+ units that M-Sport and Ford Performance will line up in the next Dakar Rally have passed the race verifications in the city of Barcelona. They have already embarked on a sea voyage to Saudi Arabia, a country that for the sixth time will host the most important and toughest off-road competition in the world.
The new Ford Raptor T1+ will be driven by four teams of drivers and co-drivers, including rally drivers Carlos Sainz Sr. with his co-driver Lucas Cruz, and Nani Roma with his co-driver Alex Haro.
The Raptor T1+ uses some elements from Ford’s Raptor production vehicles, such as the Bronco Raptor, F-150 Raptor and Ranger Raptor.
As detailed by Ford on its website, the Ford Raptor T1+ It is built on the basis of a T45 steel frame with carbon fiber body panels, highlighting the characteristic front of the Raptor and a ground clearance of 400 mm. The length of the vehicle is 4,574 mm, the width is 2,300 mm and the wheelbase is 3,000 mm. The minimum weight of the set is 2,010 kg.
It has an independent double wishbone front and rear suspension in collaboration with Fox, which has provided three-way adjustable and four-way adjustable external bypass coilover shocks with remote reservoirs fitted to each wheel, ensuring superior handling and durability in extreme conditions. The vehicle sits on 8.5 by 17-inch aluminum wheels with 37-inch tires and is fitted with 355mm front and rear Alcon ventilated discs and six-piston monobloc calipers. The Ford Raptor T1+ has up to 350mm of wheel travel.
With a 5.0-liter Coyote engine, the Ford Raptor T1+ It offers the power and torque necessary to tackle the most difficult terrain. It is equipped with an exclusive dry sump oil system and a tuned exhaust designed for the challenges of the Dakar.
In terms of design, the vehicle, composed of a T45 steel space frame and carbon fiber body panels, combines functionality with the characteristic aesthetics of the Ford Raptor, such as a ground clearance of 400 mm, a wide stance to improve off-road stability and a chiseled grille with FORD lettering at the front, offering both striking looks and performance benefits. The Ford Raptor T1+ has a minimum weight of 2,010 kg and an approach angle of more than 70°.