- The electric Ford SuperVan 4.2 will compete in the 101st Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
- Modified from the 1973-hp SuperVan 4, the 4.2 version features a massive wing and a 1400-plus-hp powertrain that was specifically tuned for the climb.
- The SuperVan 4.2 will be driven by Romain Dumas when the race takes place this Sunday, June 25.
Race cars come in all shapes and sizes. Like, say, an electric van with more horsepower than five Honda Odysseys combined. That describes the Ford SuperVan 4.2, which will use its 1400-plus horsepower to race to the top of Pikes Peak at this year's event.
A Transformed SuperVan
The Ford Pro Electric SuperVan debuted at last year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, where its four motors generated 1973 horsepower combined. Developed in a partnership with Ford Performance and STARD, who is based in Austria and specializes in electric race and rally cars, the SuperVan 4 featured a mid-mounted 50.0-kWh liquid-cooled battery and myriad racing modifications. With the 4.2 version, the EV van has been further transformed with one goal in mind: Reach Pikes Peak as quickly as possible.
Along with a new livery emblazoned with Ford Performance's updated logo, the most obvious difference between the SuperVan 4.2 and its predecessor is the comically large rear wing. That lightweight carbon-fiber spoiler as well as the other aerodynamic add-ons are said to deliver more than 4400 pounds of downforce at 150 mph. The van's chassis has also been lightened, but its powertrain receives the other biggest changes.
Ford removed one of the SuperVan's four electric motors, with one now powering the front axle and the other two feeding the rear wheels. Together they make over 1400 horses, and the motors are now juiced by a newly optimized version of the van's regenerative braking system.
Along with carbon-ceramic front rotors, the SuperVan 4.2 features forged wheels with Pirelli P Zero race tires. It also has enhanced driveshafts, a plexiglass windshield, and a stripped-out interior with a roll cage and a single racing seat.
The Ford SuperVan 4.2 will be driven by Romain Dumas, who has previously participated in the annual event seven times. The 101st running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will be held this Sunday, June 25.
Eric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual '97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a '90 Honda CRX Si.
