This Ford SuperVan Has Snatched a Velocity Record From the Mercedes-AMG GT3

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Breaking the Mount Panorama Circuit lap record at the Bathurst 12 Hours, French racing driver Jules Gougon achieved this feat in an unregulated Mercedes-AMG GT3 race car last week. However, Gougon’s accomplishment was momentarily celebrated as Ford, with Romain Dumas behind the wheel, proceeded to eclipse that record just a week later. Unbelievably, in a van.

Considering its evolution, the Ford SuperVan 4.2 has transcended its van roots to an unrecognizable state. Customized extensively, the SuperVan 4.2 boasts a heavily tweaked chassis, a vastly altered body with striking aerodynamic enhancements, and a three-motor electric powertrain—featuring one motor at the front axle and dual motors at the rear—generating a total output of 1,400 horsepower. Powering these motors is a 50 kWh liquid-cooled STARD battery.

Ford

Through its highly adapted lightweight chassis and body, potent electric power system, and the skilled piloting of Dumas, the SuperVan 4.2 conquered Mount Panorama with a record-setting time of 1:56.3247, surpassing Gougon’s previous time of 1:56.605. Not only did it set a new lap record, but it also established new benchmarks for electric vehicle and commercial vehicle laps.

“Exceeding speeds of [186 mph] with the SuperVan 4.2 was a novel experience, and we pushed to the limits for the quickest lap possible,” expressed Dumas. “Never before has a vehicle like the SuperVan 4.2 navigated Mount Panorama at such a blazing pace!”

Despite its van origins being unrecognizable with a void cargo area, the SuperVan maintains a tall and relatively heavy stature. Weighing over 3,900 pounds and towering twice the size of a typical GT3 car, its lap time achievement becomes remarkably impressive. These records at Mount Panorama closely follow the SuperVan 4.2’s breaking of the Open Class record at Pikes Peak in June 2023.

2024 Thrifty Bathurst 500, Event 01 of the Repco Supercars Championship, Mount Panorama, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. 22 Feb, 2024.

Ford

“The insights gained from SuperVan’s exploits in Australia will directly influence Ford’s upcoming generation of electric street vehicles. This implies that prospective products driven on our roads will carry a bit of the Mount Panorama spirit within them,” declared Andrew Birkic, President, and CEO of Ford Australia.

Anticipated are electric performance vans equipped with radical aerodynamics and track-ready suspension from Ford in the forthcoming years deriving inspiration from this feat.

Update: Monday, February 26, 2024, 6:18 p.m. EST: The original story mentioned the SuperVan 4.2 breaking the Open Class record at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in November 2023. However, the record was actually set in June 2023. The story has been rectified with the correct date, and The Drive acknowledges the error.

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