Ford wants a monstering electrified off-roader

Think the Mustang GTD of Ford’s Raptor models, only an electrified nutjob.

Ford CEO Jim Farley is not-so-quietly pushing the automaker towards an electrified future. He kicked things off recently by talking about a streamlined manufacturing process that will result in some of the world’s most affordable electric vehicles. 

And when quizzed later, he also gave some inkling into future electrified product. Asked what should follow the exotic high-performance Mustang GTD, he said he is thinking about a gravel express that will conquer all.

According to a podcast which is yet to air, the Blue Oval boss said, “No one’s ever built a supercar for gravel, high-speed sand, dirt. I’m thinking really deeply about it, and usually that turns into something.”

Evidently he has already tasked his engineers to design a “1000-horsepower [746kW] partially electric” off-road supercar concept. And why not, given the success of the various Raptor models from the Ford stable? 

“These Raptor people are telling us something,” Farley is claimed to have said. Automotive News reports his words: “They’re not stupid. They’re really smart people. They spent $120,000 on an 800-horsepower pick-up truck.”

If Ford does make such a vehicle, it would likely follow the Mustang GTD formula. Limited production, and a high price. 

The GTD sells for $327,000 and Ford is making 300 of them. So the gravel super-express could be a similar deal. 

“It’d be something special, a nod to the Dakar Rally” that Farley also said he’d like to win. Now there’s a good enough reason on its own.