Race to the Clouds: SuperVan vs. Pikes Peak

Known to motorsport fans as “The Race to the Clouds,” the legendary Pikes Peak International Hillclimb sees competitors take on 12.5 miles of twisting mountain road with menacingly-named corners like Bottomless Pit, Ragged Edge and the Devil’s Playground.

We’ve been racing our vehicles to the top of Pikes Peak in the Rocky Mountains since the first organized event back in 1916 – but for the 101^st running earlier this year, we decided to go in a completely new direction.

We entered a Transit van.

The SuperVan 4.2 is a wild hillclimb monster that blends 1,400 horsepower of high-tech electric power¹, born from three electric motors, with a body inspired by Ford Pro’s latest E-Transit Custom van. It’s an update of the crowd-wowing Ford Pro Electric SuperVan 4.0 that debuted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2022, but fresh from a 880 pound weight reduction and super-charged with an enhanced battery and electric motors. It’s also had an aerodynamic redesign to create two tonnes of downforce at approximately 150 miles per hour for maximum cornering grip.

With racing driver Romain Dumas – holder of the record for the fastest-ever Pikes Peak hillclimb – strapped into the driver’s seat, we were ready to race into the sky. Watch the video to discover how this epic adventure unfolded.

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¹Calculated via peak performance of the electric motor(s) at peak battery power. Your results may vary.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough EVs along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 177,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.

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