This full-race Ford Ranger might not have all that much in common with the , but hot damn does it look like a riot to blast over the Atacama desert and jungles of South America.

Here are some more intense, dramatic, and downright inspirational exterior shots of this thing in action. Charging across salt flats in a motorstorm of competitors, and chasing teammates around the dunes on quads.

Ford Racing made their Dakar Rally debut at last year's event, finishing the race in an impressive 22nd place. This year they nabbed 27th, which is still a solid result in an event where only 68 of the original 136 starting cars made it to the last flag.

This Ford Ranger 4x4 Double Cab that ran this month's Dakar was piloted by Argentinian rally star Federico Villagra and countryman Andrés Memi who has raced cars, trucks, and bikes at the event in years past.

Here's a spec breakdown of the race Ranger:

Images via Ford At Dakar