Ford’s electric SuperVan arrives for Bathurst demo

WITH the Bathurst 12-Hour endurance race just around the corner, slated for February 18, comes news Ford will demonstrate what it calls SuperVan 4.2 at the iconic racetrack.

The wild looking, E-Transit-based fully electric track weapon will be piloted by Romain Dumas in a series of dynamic demos around Mount Panorama followed by public displays and “activations” throughout Bathurst ‘SuperFest’ to give racing fans an opportunity to get an in-person look at the vehicle and (perhaps) prepare for an electric future.

It is the first appearance of a Ford SuperVan in Australia and happens more than 50 years since the debut of SuperVan 1 that made its debut at Brands Hatch in the UK on Easter Monday, 1971.

That model ran a mid-mounted 400 horsepower (300kW) version of the monstrous V8 that powered the Ford GT40 to victory at Le Mans.

The Supervan 4.2 demo runs at Bathurst are intended to “thrill” onlookers during both the build-up to Australia’s international GT3 enduro, and the Thrifty Bathurst 500 Supercars season opener the following weekend.

The Bathurst gig is the SuperVan 4.2’s latest stop on a global tour and follows a recent appearance at Pikes Peak International Hillclimb in the USA.

“The SuperVan 4.2 will take on 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 Ford Performance Motorsports global director Mark Rushbrook.

“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.”

Driver Romain Dumas said of his upcoming challenge, “Driving the SuperVan 4.2 is always a huge privilege and comes after the successful outing at Pikes Peak where it finished second outright and first in class – smashing the class record in the process.”

“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,” he added.

The heavily winged and aero optimised van rocks 1400 horsepower (1044kW) delivered to all four wheels from three e-motors and has undergone evolutionary upgrades since it was first revealed as SuperVan 4.0 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2022 and subsequently, racing at Pikes Peak.

The earlier four e-motor configuration was changed to three with one on the front axle and two down the back which shed almost 400kg.

An enhanced battery and a new aerodynamic package capable of generating two tonnes of downforce at 240km/h were added for Pikes Peak to complement the carbon ceramic brakes, Pirelli P Zero race tyres and incredible 600kW of regenerative braking capability.

A collaboration between Ford Performance and STARD, the SuperVan can accelerate to 100km/h from a standstill in less than two seconds.