Ford CEO Jim Farley hints at a 1,000-horsepower desert-focused supercar, aiming beyond Porsche Dakar and Lamborghini Sterrato.
Ford’s next halo project may trade racetracks for sand dunes. Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley recently revealed that the automaker is exploring the idea of building a desert-ready supercar with roughly 1,000 horsepower, a move that would push the brand into uncharted territory.
Speaking about the concept, Farley said the project wouldn’t follow the formula of existing off-road supercars such as the Porsche 911 Dakar or Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato. Instead, Ford is considering something entirely its own—an extreme performance machine engineered specifically for high-speed desert running.
Details remain scarce, as the project is still in its earliest stages. Farley admitted the concept is “still in my head,” but emphasized that the vision is for something bold and distinctly Ford. If realized, the model could channel lessons from the automaker’s history of off-road dominance, particularly its decades of success in desert racing with the F-150 Raptor and Baja-conquering Broncos.
A 1,000-horsepower figure would put the yet-unnamed machine in rarified company, rivaling some of the most powerful production vehicles in the world. Unlike track-focused exotics, this supercar would be designed for long, flat-out runs over sand and rough terrain, combining supercar speed with rugged durability.
Farley’s comments reflect a growing appetite for ultra-niche performance cars that blur boundaries between categories. Automakers from Europe have already tested the waters with lifted, ruggedized supercars, but Ford’s approach could lean heavily on its racing pedigree and American performance identity.
Whether the idea moves from Farley’s imagination to reality remains to be seen, but the tease underscores Ford’s willingness to explore daring, unconventional projects. For now, enthusiasts are left to speculate: will Ford’s next supercar be the first true desert missile with a Blue Oval badge?
