The Ford SuperVan 4.2, a formidable hillclimb contender boasting a whopping 1,400 horsepower derived from three high-tech electric motors, has made headlines by setting a new record at the prestigious Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Inspired by Ford Pro's latest E-Transit Custom van, this electrifying vehicle was on a mission to conquer the challenging course in the Open Class competition in under nine minutes.
The foundation for the upgraded SuperVan 4.2 was the SuperVan 4.0, but significant modifications were necessary to prepare it for the grueling 12.5-mile (20.11 km) ascent. The transformation involved shedding 881 pounds (400 kilograms) from the prototype, although the end result still tipped the scales at over 4,400 pounds (1995 kg). Ford Performance engineers left no stone unturned, fine-tuning various aspects of the van, including its ride height, brakes, and suspension.
While the SuperVan 4.2 may not match the raw power of its predecessor, producing 1,400 horsepower from its triple-motor setup compared to the 4.0's 1,972 hp from four motors, it still managed to achieve Ford's target time.
Ford SuperVan 4.2
Ford had a tight six-week window to prepare the van for testing, and there were some unexpected setbacks. During the test runs, a minor issue with the SuperVan's transmission emerged, necessitating adjustments before the official race. It's worth noting that Pikes Peak is no pristine race track; it's a public road with all the irregularities typical of one, making it a challenging surface for racing.
On race day, the Ford SuperVan completed the demanding course in an impressive 8 minutes, 47.682 seconds, obliterating the previous class record of 9 minutes, 24.433 seconds set in 2019. While the achievement brought jubilation to Ford and the team, it fell short of securing an overall victory. In the Unlimited class, a 2018 Wolf TSC-FS outpaced the SuperVan, conquering the hill climb in just 8 minutes, 40.080 seconds.
Behind the wheel of the SuperVan was renowned racing driver Romain Dumas, a multiple-time Pikes Peak hill climb winner and Le Mans champion. His extensive experience proved invaluable as he skillfully navigated the 156-turn course, dealing with a staggering elevation change of 4,725 feet (1,440 meters), roughly equivalent to four-and-a-half Eiffel Towers stacked end-to-end.
Source: Ford
