Ford will display its crazy fast SuperVan 4.2 electric at the Bathurst ‘SuperFest’ and it is the first time that a Ford SuperVan will appear in Australia, more than fifty years since the debut of SuperVan 1. The latest Supervan carries on the legacy of some legendary high-performance Transit concepts throughout Ford’s glorious back catalogue, with the very first, SuperVan 1, making its debut at Brands Hatch in the UK on Easter Monday, 1971.
The original SuperVan was powered by a mid-mounted 400 horsepower version of the monstrous V8 that powered the GT40 to victory at Le Mans but the latest SuperVan 4.2 swaps the cylinders for potent tri-electric motors as it develops a ridiculous 1,400 horsepower with one motor powering the front and two in the rear.
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It’s not just some van with loads of power as its entire dynamic personality has been overhauled with details like a revised regenerative braking system with carbon ceramic brake discs, magnesium forged wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero race tires, upgraded driveshafts and a perspex windscreen. Indeed, this is a serious piece of kit and the race car interior is also stripped of needless fripperies to save weight. Hence, compared to the SuperVan 4.0, the 4.2 iteration is 400kgs lighter and generates a mind-boggling downforce of two tonnes at 240km/h. No wonder then at the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, this bewinged all-electric racer finished second outright and first in class – smashing the class record in the process.
Racing enthusiasts will be able to catch the van in action when it’s driven by Romain Dumas around the legendary Mount Panorama circuit with clouds of tyre smoke at the Bathurst 12 Hour.
“SuperVan 4.2 will take on the challenge of Mount Panorama in the same configuration it raced in at Pikes Peak – as the ultimate expression of what is possible with electric performance and Ford’s EV technology,” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Performance Motorsports.
“Mount Panorama stands tall as the ultimate motorsport challenge in Australia, and we are excited to see SuperVan 4.2 attack its legendary twists and turns.”
“Driving SuperVan 4.2 is always a huge privilege and after the successful outing at Pikes Peak, I am delighted that the Ford Performance team keep finding new and exciting ways to push the envelope. For any racing driver, Bathurst is a unique and exhilarating challenge and I can’t wait to give the Australian fans a show they will hopefully never forget,” said Romain Dumas.
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