Ford’s revitalised hybrid technique may quickly embrace a V8 engine because the hero for its next-generation Raptor fashions.
Ford CEO Jim Farley has opened the door to a V8-powered Raptor that might leverage the US automaker’s tilt on the 2026 Dakar Rally with its purpose-built Raptor T1+ racers which make use of a model of the Blue Oval model’s iconic 5.0-litre Coyote V8 from the Mustang muscle automobile.
Talking within the Saudi Arabian desert on the Dakar Rally bivouac – primarily a cell pit lane that follows the epic 14-day journey – Ford’s outspoken and ever-enthusiastic chief gave the strongest hints but {that a} V8 hybrid powertrain may very well be employed in the off-road area the model desires to dominate.
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“Our greatest-selling F-150 is the EcoBoost hybrid,” Mr Farley instructed media, after mingling with followers on sand dunes and spending time with the factory-backed crew that entered 4 Raptor T1+ rally raid machines in what’s extensively thought to be the world’s hardest motorsport occasion.
“You may anticipate in our efficiency off-road autos an increasing number of hybridisation, however extra on the efficiency aspect,” he added.
When requested straight concerning the prospects of a manufacturing V8 hybrid drivetrain, Mr Farley mentioned: “Now we have accelerated the funding in hybrids throughout our lineup – and that may embrace off-road.”
His feedback had been backed up by Will Ford, the final supervisor of the not too long ago rebranded Ford Racing division that’s now closely built-in into the longer term improvement of Raptor variants.
Mr Ford sees hybrid as key and nominated electrification as a powertrain know-how that might lengthen the lifetime of the V8 throughout the Blue Oval model’s lineup.
“It’s fairly clear that hybrid is the efficiency drivetrain of the longer term,” mentioned Mr Ford, the son of former Ford CEO Invoice Ford.
“We’re not going to get forward of ourselves and do one thing that clients don’t need, however we completely have to make it possible for we proceed to push Raptor in each option to make it preserve its place as probably the most off-road succesful automobile.”
He mentioned a hybrid V8 was “completely” on the playing cards for the Raptor household.
“That’s the great factor about hybrid is it would permit us to maintain the V8 alive just a little longer – hopefully so much longer.”
The query is the place at V8 hybrid powertrain would characteristic throughout the three-pronged Raptor lineup – F-150, Bronco and Ranger, the one Raptor mannequin to be offered in Australia.
The complete-size F-150 pickup appears probably the most logical candidate given the flagship Raptor R variant is already powered by a V8.
Based on abroad stories, a V8 hybrid powertrain is already in Ford’s future mannequin plan and petrol-electric Mustang is present process superior prototype testing.
Whereas Ford has not confirmed particulars, the transfer aligns with a broader shift towards hybrids as demand for absolutely electrical autos stumbles.
In writing down US$19.5 billion (A$29bn) in capital investments in mid-December, Ford instructed buyers it might “redeploy” capital into “higher-return progress alternatives”, together with pickup vehicles, vans and hybrids.
The corporate additionally flagged that by 2030 about half of its international gross sales quantity can be hybrid autos (HEVs), extended-range electrical autos (EREVs), and battery-electric autos (EVs), up from about 17 per cent in the present day.
Towards that backdrop, Ford seems to be laying the groundwork for an off-road electrification technique that enhances functionality with out diluting character.
Including an electrical motor to a V8 would offer further low-rpm torque, offering efficiency and effectivity advantages.
The technique just isn’t dissimilar to that of Porsche, which not too long ago launched its first hybrid-powered 911. Nevertheless, the introduction of electrical motors to the basic horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine within the German automaker’s most well-known sports activities automobile was extra about boosting efficiency than saving gas.
Mr Farley mentioned hybrid tech can ship advantages that matter in real-world off-road circumstances: prompt torque, sturdiness and – crucially – energy in distant locations.
He pointed to “exportable energy” as a defining benefit, describing how battery-equipped utes such because the plug-in hybrid Ranger PHEV can use their spare electrical energy to energy campsites or worksites.
Ford already promotes its ‘Professional Energy Onboard’ system as a option to flip the Ranger PHEV right into a cell energy supply for tradespeople and adventurous varieties, negating the necessity for a generator.
All of this hints at the place Ford may take the Raptor model subsequent.
At present’s Ranger Raptor is powered by a high-output 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6, paired with a high-performance chassis incorporating superior semi-active Fox dampers, that are central to the identification of Ford’s off-road ‘tremendous vehicles’.
However whereas Ford is embracing hybridisation, Mr Farley was cautious to not body this as a retreat from conventional combustion energy – or from the emotional cues that promote fanatic autos.
“I like that our firm is unapologetically American with the sound,” he mentioned. “The sound of the automobile is essential,” he added, in reference to V8s.
Raptor variations already account for as much as 15 per cent of gross sales of Australia’s hottest new automobile for the previous three years, and a limited-edition Mustang Raptor is reportedly on the way in which.
However the prospect of a burbling, high-performance hybrid V8 in Ford’s next-generation off-road halo fashions can be prone to resonate with Raptor followers.
