Hill climbs
Ford presents its 2 horsepower SuperVan with Romain Dumas
The Ford Pro Electric SuperVan will be driven by Romain Dumas at Goodwood. © Ford
Ford has not lost his facetious spirit. In 1971, the American manufacturer redesigned a Transit by installing a Ford GT40 engine. Two other versions followed in the 1980s and 1990s, before the custom fell into oblivion… until this Thursday, June 23, 2022, with the Ford Pro Electric SuperVan.
Behind this long name hides a strange machine. The SuperVan was inspired by the new E-Transit Custom utility vehicle with the aim of demonstrating the talents of Ford's professional branch, as well as the firm's abilities to implement an electric powertrain in one of their vehicles.
The Ford Pro Electric SuperVan is equipped with four electric motors, coupled to a 50 kWh battery and a unique power control allowing it to provide the equivalent… of 2 horsepower! 000 to 0 miles (62 km/h) is achieved “below 98 seconds” according to information in the press release. The powertrain is the result of a collaboration between Ford Performance and the Austrians from Stard. They had previously imagined the first electric rallycross car in 2020.
“Ford Pro is about accelerating our customers’ productivity – so why not create a new electric SuperVan that proves the power of electrification and connectivity,” said Hans Schep, Managing Director of Ford Pro in Europe. This incredible demonstration vehicle takes the advanced engineering and distinctive look of E-Transit Custom to a whole new level, and is high-speed proof of the power of the Ford Pro connected services ecosystem. »
To drive this Ford Pro Electric SuperVan, you had to find a driver who had already experienced crazy electric cars. The market for this type of competitor is limited, and the Detroit brand has set its sights on Romain Dumas. The Frenchman holds the records for the climbs of Pikes Peak, Goodwood and Mount Tianmen with the electric Volkswagen ID.R, in addition, incidentally, to his two victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Audi and Porsche.
Romain Dumas and the Ford SuperVan. © Ford
The Glickenhaus driver in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) will climb the Festival of Speed track until June 26. Ford does not indicate whether its SuperVan is intended to break records on circuits or hill climbs, but it would be a shame not to see Romain Dumas put his foot down on certain tracks with such an original and fun car!
ALSO READ > The adventure of the Volkswagen ID.R in 2019
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- The design was imagined by the Ford Europe office.
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- A Ford SYNC screen is preserved on board.
Medhi Casaurang
Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!
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