The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is one of the world's most grueling and challenging motorsport events. It's a 12.42-mile race to the summit of a 14,115-foot mountain in Colorado, with 156 turns and no guardrails to protect the drivers from plunging off the cliffs. The air is thin, the weather is unpredictable, and the competition is fierce.
But this year, there's a new contender that could shake things up: the Ford SuperVan 4.2, an electric van that claims to have more power and torque than a Bugatti Chiron. Yes, you read that right: an electric van that can outperform a hypercar.
The Ford SuperVan 4.2 is not your typical delivery vehicle. It's a modified version of the Ford Transit Custom PHEV, a plug-in hybrid van already popular among European commercial customers. But instead of using a 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine and a 13.6 kWh battery pack, the Ford SuperVan 4.2 has been fitted with four electric motors that produce a combined output of 1,400 horsepower and 1,491 pound-feet of torque.
That's enough to propel the SuperVan 4.2 from zero to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds and to reach a top speed of 186 mph. To put that in perspective, the Bugatti Chiron has 1,500 horsepower and 1,180 pound-feet of torque and can do zero to 60 mph in 2.4 seconds and hit a top speed of 261 mph.
But the SuperVan 4.2 is not just about straight-line speed. It also has a sophisticated all-wheel drive system that can distribute power to each wheel independently, allowing for precise handling and cornering. It also has an adaptive suspension that can adjust the ride height and damping according to the road conditions and driving mode.
The SuperVan 4.2 also looks the part of a racing machine. It has a sleek aerodynamic body kit that reduces drag and improves downforce, as well as a large rear wing and a front splitter that add stability at high speeds. It also has carbon fiber wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires that provide optimal grip and traction.
The interior of the SuperVan 4.2 is equally impressive. It has a minimalist dashboard with a digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen infotainment system that can display various performance data and telemetry. It also has a racing steering wheel with paddle shifters and buttons for controlling different functions. The driver's seat is a Recaro bucket seat with a six-point harness, while the passenger seat is a regular bench seat that can accommodate two people.
The SuperVan 4.2 is not just a one-off project for fun. It's also a serious attempt to showcase electric vehicles' potential and challenge the dominance of internal combustion engines in motorsport.
Ford has been investing heavily in electrification in recent years, launching models like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the F-150 Lightning, and the Ford E-Transit. The company has also announced plans to make all its European passenger vehicles fully electric by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
The SuperVan 4.2 is part of Ford's strategy to demonstrate that electric vehicles can be exciting, fun, competitive, environmentally friendly, and efficient.
The Ford SuperVan 4.2 will make its debut at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 26th, where it will compete in the Exhibition Class against other unconventional vehicles like motorcycles, sidecars, and trucks.
