Ford Returns To Pikes Peak Race With SuperTruck Demonstrator
Next month, Ford will make its return to Pikes Peak with an innovative electric pickup. Having teased the “EV demonstrator” since March, the automaker now unveils the truck, boasting its ability to produce 6,000 pounds of downforce at 150 miles per hour.
This SuperTruck Demonstrator achieves such impressive figures through its unconventional aerodynamics. Sporting a low profile, the pickup showcases a substantial goose-neck wing extending from the rear, towering over the cab’s roof. Additionally, it features a broad front splitter, rear wheel outlets, and a sizable rear diffuser. Ford collaborated with STARD to develop this remarkable vehicle.
Ford hasn’t shared more specifics about its electric SuperTruck aside from its downforce capabilities. Yet, it shares some design cues with the SuperVan 4.2 that raced in last year’s hillclimb event. That vehicle also featured a large wing and a bold aero kit to handle the course’s 156 turns. Its three motors generated 1,400 horsepower. The upcoming pickup might have a comparable configuration, but more details are pending. The Ford SuperVan 4.0 boasted four motors producing 1,972 hp.
This is Ford’s second electric demo vehicle. Earlier this year, it launched the F-150 Switchgear in partnership with RTR. They built it on the Lightning production platform, adding skid plates, composite body panels, and a new suspension for better off-road performance.
Ford is expected to keep teasing the pickup until the 102nd event on June 23. We should hear more details before it climbs the hill. Romain Dumas, the current record holder for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, will drive the Ford. However, Ford won’t be the only carmaker with an EV there. A modified Hyundai Ioniq 5 is also set to take on the iconic hillclimb course later in June.
Source and Images: Motor1