Ford unveils Romain Dumas' F-150 Lightning SuperTruck

At Pikes Peak, manufacturers continue to push the limits. For several years, electric technology has been tackling the legendary hill climb. Romain Dumas, already holder of the climb record with the Volkswagen ID.R n 7'57″148, will this time head to Colorado with the Ford F-150 Lightning SuperTruck. A monster with more than 2000 horsepower, which the blue oval brand has just unveiled in a “camouflage” version.

It is on June 23 that Dumas will attempt to beat his previous mark, something he was unable to achieve last year. With the Ford SuperVan EV, Romain Dumas had in fact failed around fifty seconds from the record. This year, it is on an F-150 pickup base that Ford will tackle a mountain, literally and figuratively. With 1400m of elevation gain and an arrival at an altitude of 4300m, Pikes Peak remains a challenge for mechanics today.

A challenge that electric can conquer more easily than thermal technology. In fact, a traditional engine loses 1% of power for every 100 meters of altitude. A problem that does not exist on an electric vehicle. The F-150 Lightning SuperTruck will thus be able to maintain all of its power, from the bottom of the climb to the top.

Where, on the other hand, electric and thermal are tied, it is in terms of aerodynamic support. For many years, aerodynamic appendages have flourished on cars taking part in the Pikes Peak event. If cars like the Suzuki Escudo (which must speak to Gran Turismo players) had shown the way, today fins, diffusers and other splitters, each more imposing than the other, are legion. The F-150 Lightning SuperTruck is no exception. The density of the air drops with altitude, which is what it takes to try to tame one of the most difficult courses in the world of hill racing...

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