Boogeyvan: Ford SuperVan 4.2 Headed to Pikes Peak

by Matthew Guy

June 21st, 2023 3:09 PM

boogeyvan ford supervan 4 2 headed to pikes peak

Trust the gearheads taking part in Pikes Peak to come up with vehicles appearing to be ripped straight off the digital pages of PlayStation. Ford, which has been fielding entrants since the Peak’s first event in 1916, is taking to the hill this year in their SuperVan 4.2, a machine with over 1,400 horsepower.

The van is all-electric, as one might expect given the brand’s push in that direction, packing a motor up front to power the front wheels and two more out back to propel the rears. Alert readers will have figured out by now this means the SuperVan 4.2 has all-wheel drive, a trait that should permit the thing to grip the Pikes Peak tarmac like a scared cat sticks to a wool blanket.

The ”.2” in this racer’s name alludes to the fact this van is a refined variant of the SuperVan 4, a vehicle that debuted at last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Officially known at the time as the Ford Pro Electric SuperVan, it was said to have a few more horsepower than this latest iteration whilst packing a full roll cage and FIA-spec racing seats. Speeds of 60 mph showed up in less than two seconds.

Even though that effort had a few more all-electric horses, SuperVan 4.2 benefits from having been put on a SlimFast diet, shedding mass in a weight reduction program to properly balance the thing for bespoke duty on the twist Pikes Peak circuit where agility is key along with outright speed. To that end, you’ll have noticed the lightweight carbon fiber rear spoiler and front splitter, contributing to a claimed 4,400 pounds of downforce at 150 mph. Ace hotshoe Romain Dumas will be behind the wheel this year.

In case you’re tested at the next pub quiz, remember that Pikes Peak International Hill Climb belts up the mountain through 156 turns and 4,725 feet of elevation to a finish line sitting 14,115 feet above sea level. This year’s event is on June 25.

[Images: Ford]

Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.

#Ford #Supervan #PikesPeak #Racing

Comments

Join the conversation

2 of 7 comments

ToolGuy on Jun 21, 2023

1 point to Ford for almost-correct use of carbon fiber in an automotive application.

Like Reply
ToolGuy on Jun 21, 2023

That Raceway in the picture is an hour and a half from the hill climb -- also no professional racing happens there anymore?

Like Reply

Recent Comments

Dusterdude The "fire them all" is looking a little less unreasonable the longer the union sticks to the totally ridiculous demands ( or maybe the members should fire theit leadership ! )
Thehyundaigarage Yes, Canadian market vehicles have had immobilizers mandated by transport Canada since around 2001.In the US market, some key start Toyotas and Nissans still don’t have immobilizers. The US doesn’t mandate immobilizers or daytime running lights, but they mandate TPMS, yet canada mandates both, but couldn’t care less about TPMS. You’d think we’d have universal standards in North America.
Alan I think this vehicle is aimed more at the dedicated offroad traveller. It costs around the same a 300 Series, so its quite an investment. It would be a waste to own as a daily driver, unless you want to be seen in a 'wank' vehicle like many Wrangler and Can Hardly Davidson types.The diesel would be the choice for off roading as its quite torquey down low and would return far superior mileage than a petrol vehicle.I would think this is more reliable than the Land Rovers, BMW make good engines. https://www.drive.com.au/reviews/2023-ineos-grenadier-review/
Lorenzo I'll go with Stellantis. Last into the folly, first to bail out. Their European business won't fly with the German market being squeezed on electricity. Anybody can see the loss of Russian natural gas and closing their nuclear plants means high cost electricity. They're now buying electrons from French nuclear plants, as are the British after shutting down their coal industry. As for the American market, the American grid isn't in great shape either, but the US has shale oil and natural gas. Stellantis has profits from ICE Ram trucks and Jeeps, and they won't give that up.
Inside Looking Out Chinese will take over EV market and Tesla will become the richest and largest car company in the world. Forget about Japanese.