Jim Farley, the guy at the helm of Ford, has been stirring up excitement with his latest idea – a supercar built not for smooth racetracks, but for tearing through sand, gravel, and dirt at breakneck speeds. In a recent chat on a Bloomberg podcast, Farley opened up about this wild concept, painting a picture of a machine that could redefine what high-performance off-roading looks like. He's talking about something with a staggering 1,000 horsepower, blending electric power with traditional muscle, and loaded with digital smarts to make it feel like the future on four wheels.
This isn't just idle talk from a CEO dreaming big. Farley pointed out how Ford's loyal fans are already shelling out serious cash for extreme vehicles. Take the F-150 Raptor R, for example – folks are dropping $120,000 on an 800-horsepower pickup that's all about dominating tough terrain. "These Raptor people are telling us something," Farley said, emphasizing that these buyers know what they want: raw power and capability that goes beyond the ordinary. He sees this as a sign that there's room for Ford to push boundaries even further, creating a vehicle that's not tied to any existing model but stands alone as a true off-road icon.
Image credit: Ford
Imagine a supercar that's as at home blasting through high-speed desert runs as the Mustang GTD is on a paved circuit. Farley made it clear this wouldn't be some watered-down version of a road car with a lift kit. He's envisioning a purpose-built monster, partially electrified for that instant torque punch, and fully adjustable in ways that let drivers tweak everything from suspension travel to damping and ride height on the fly. It's not about crawling over rocks like a Jeep might; this thing is geared for flat-out speed on loose surfaces, where control and power matter most.
Farley didn't hold back on why he thinks the time is right for something like this. He noted that while brands like Porsche have the 911 Dakar and Lamborghini offers the Huracan Sterrato, those don't cut it for real off-road punishment. "That car wouldn't last on the Baja 500," he quipped about the Lambo, suggesting Ford could deliver the genuine article – a supercar that actually races off-road without falling apart. And unlike those European exotics, which cater to a crowd more interested in posing on rough roads, Ford's take would appeal to enthusiasts who crave the thrill of jumping dunes and pushing limits in the dirt.
The details are still up in the air, but Farley hinted at a few key choices. It won't be a pickup truck, ditching the bed and towing duties for pure performance focus. He's debating between a two-seater for that intimate, driver-focused experience or a four-seater to bring along a buddy for the adventure. Either way, it's meant to be bespoke, a halo model that showcases Ford's engineering chops. Drawing from their Dakar Rally efforts, like the Raptor T1+ racer, this supercar could borrow race-proven tech to make it unstoppable on gravel and sand.
What makes Ford uniquely positioned for this? Farley explained that the brand has a rich motorsports history that gives them the cred to tackle bold projects. From affordable everyday rides to high-dollar specials, Ford isn't afraid to mix it up. He brought up the Mustang GTD as proof – a track beast that's resonating with buyers because it's backed by real racing heritage. And Ford's approach to these exclusives is refreshingly straightforward: no room for flippers or collectors who just park them in garages. "We don't want posers," Farley stated plainly, stressing that they aim to protect genuine enthusiasts by limiting production and ensuring owners don't get burned on resale value. It's a strategy that's worked before, with repeat buyers snapping up successive models like the Ford GT and now the GTD.
This mindset stems from Ford's understanding of their crowd – people who value authenticity over flash. Farley called Ford a "weird brand" in the best way, able to sell everything from budget trucks to ultra-premium performers without losing their core identity. By listening to those Raptor owners investing big in off-road power, Ford could carve out a niche that's been overlooked: a true off-road supercar that breaks the mold of sameness in the high-end market. As he put it, modern supercars often feel too similar, and this could be the shake-up the industry needs.
Of course, nothing's set in stone yet. Farley admitted he's deep in discussions with his team, weighing the pros and cons. But if history is any guide, when he gets this fired up about an idea, it often becomes reality. Back in January, during a Top Gear interview, he teased the concept of an off-road supercar, questioning whether Ford should build a standalone utility beast rather than tweaking an existing car. Now, with specifics like 1,000 hp and electrification on the table, it feels like momentum is building.
For comparison, look at what's out there today. The Bronco Raptor packs a twin-turbo V6 with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque – solid for off-roading, but it doesn't hold a candle to something like the Jeep Wrangler 392's 470 hp V8. Farley's vision blows past both, aiming for nuclear levels of power in a package that's sleeker and more focused. Priced potentially around $300,000, it would be a big ask, but for those who live for the rush of off-road racing, it could be worth every penny.
If this supercar comes to life, it might just inspire a new wave of adventure seekers. Picture loading up for a weekend in the dunes, feeling that electric-assisted surge as you launch over jumps, all while the digital systems keep everything dialed in. It's the kind of machine that harkens back to the golden days of American automotive innovation, where power and freedom went hand in hand. Ford has the track record to pull it off, and with Farley leading the charge, don't be surprised if this daydream turns into the next big thing roaring across the dirt.
In the end, this isn't just about building another fast car; it's about capturing the spirit of exploration that draws so many to off-roading. Farley sees untapped potential in creating the "Porsche of off-road," a vehicle that combines luxury-level performance with the grit to handle real challenges. Whether it ends up as a sleek two-door flyer or a practical four-seater, one thing's clear: Ford is thinking outside the box, and that could mean exciting times ahead for anyone who loves the call of the wild.
