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Ford Electric SuperVan – with 1,400 HP on Pikes Peak

Ford Performance has tuned the all-electric SuperVan 4.2 to meet the demands of the world-famous "Race to the Clouds". Participants of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb must navigate 156 turns and over 1,440 meters of elevation gain to reach the finish line at 4,302 meters.

1,050 kW and sophisticated aerodynamics are expected to set a new record in the mountain ascent. | Photo: Ford
1,050 kW and sophisticated aerodynamics are expected to set a new record in the mountain ascent. | Photo: Ford
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Thomas Kanzler

Ford Performance is entering the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) in the US state of Colorado for the 101st time with the comprehensively revised all-electric Ford SuperVan 4.2. This year's race day is Sunday, June 25, 2023. The starting point in the Rocky Mountains, less than 30 miles from Colorado Springs, is already at an altitude of 2,862 meters. Over a race distance of 19.99 kilometers (12.42 miles), drivers must navigate 156 turns and a height difference of 1,440 meters. The finish line on the granite summit is at 4,302 meters (14,115 feet). At the wheel of the Ford SuperVan 4.2 demonstrator: French motorsport legend Romain Dumas. Dumas is expected to continue Ford's storied history at PPIHC and ideally set a new record for electric vehicles. This is the eighth start for the veteran, who has already won this unique race against the clock four times.

Aerodynamics Package and All-Wheel Drive

The Ford SuperVan 4.2 for the PPIHC is based on the SuperVan 4, which in turn is based on the fully electric E-Transit. The SuperVan 4 made its world premiere last year at the British Goodwood Festival of Speed. The global Ford Performance Team and the rally and race car specialists STARD from Austria have modified and further developed the SuperVan 4 for the extreme Pikes Peak Hill Climb. The result is the SuperVan 4.2. This prototype is intended to demonstrate how powerful electric vehicles can be in motorsport.

The Pikes Peak version of the SuperVan 4.2 features a completely new aerodynamic package. Despite the thin high-altitude air, the body is designed to generate almost two tons of downforce at a speed of 240 km/h. This is largely due to an ultra-light carbon fiber rear wing and front splitter. Both elements ensure that the SuperVan 4.2 handles corners with optimal grip. The vehicle itself has been weight-optimized. Lighter suspension components further improve the balance of the electric race car. Thanks to forged magnesium wheels with Pirelli P Zero racing tires, reinforced drive shafts, a Plexiglas windshield, and a minimalist racing interior, the developers also saved additional weight.

"Together with our STARD partners, we have developed the all-electric Transit SuperVan 4.2 into a truly competitive race car," explains Mark Rushbrook, Director of Ford Performance Motorsports. "The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb provides us with the perfect stage to showcase Ford's electric drive technology and demonstrate the performance of this drive system under very extreme conditions."

System performance of 1,050 hp, 1,400 hp

Further optimizations concern the drivetrain. Instead of four, now three 6-phase high-performance electric motors from STARD drive the demonstrator. Their energy comes from ultra-high-performance lithium-polymer batteries with NMC technology and pouch cells, also developed by STARD. In this configuration, the SuperVan 4.2 achieves an outstanding power-to-weight ratio. The developers retained the high-traction all-wheel drive - one motor drives the front axle, two drive the rear axle. With a system output of more than 1,050 kW (1,400 hp), the SuperVan 4.2 has plenty of thrust available. The energy recovery system, designed for a power output of 600 kW, optimizes energy management during the race.

Carbon-Ceramic Brakes

Since deceleration at Pikes Peak also plays an important role, Ford Performance and STARD equipped the SuperVan 4.2 with a modified braking system that features, among other things, carbon-ceramic brake discs.

"Ford Performance and STARD have worked intensively on optimizing the SuperVan 4.2 for Pikes Peak – from the new aerodynamics to the revised electric drive," emphasizes Mike Norton, WRC Program Supervisor & Motorsports Regulations and Homologation at Ford Performance. "I'm sure: It's worth watching the times of our vehicle on the mountain very closely."

What does that mean?

Ford has a long tradition at the legendary "Race to the Clouds." The hill climb, first held in 1916, was organized to promote the road built as a tourist attraction. Back then, Ford competed with the Model-T and reached the finish line after 28 minutes and three seconds. The record is held by Romain Dumas - but not in a Ford; rather, with a VW.ID R specifically designed for the hill climb. In 2018, Dumas stormed to the summit in 7 minutes, 57.148 seconds with the Wolfsburg race car.

Translated automatically from German.
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