The Ford SuperVan 4.2 made its Australian debut in spectacular fashion over the weekend, setting an all-time lap record around Mount Panorama for a closed-wheel vehicle.
During its local showcase, Ford pitched the 1400hp, 1800kg fully electric ‘van’ around the circuit in 1:56.3247. That was quicker than the pole position time set during the Australian Supercars Top 10 Shootout, with a pole time of 2:06.5465.
Romain Dumas piloted the crazy contraption around the 6.2km road circuit at the Bathurst 500 event, which was the opening round of the Australian Supercars. He reached speeds of over 300km/h down Conrod Straight. Dumas said:
“This is the first time I have driven SuperVan 4.2 faster than 300km/h, and we left nothing on the table as we pushed for the fastest lap possible. No one has ever driven a vehicle like SuperVan 4.2 around Mount Panorama, and certainly not this quickly!”
The SuperVan 4.2 project isn’t just about showing off. Ford says the technology and development showcased in the van will trickle down into showroom models. Andrew Birkic, CEO and president at Ford Australia, said:
“Lessons learned from SuperVan’s running in Australia will have a direct flow into Ford’s next generation of electric road cars. That means future products that customers drive on our roads will have a little spirit of Mount Panorama carried within them.”
The next stop for the SuperVan’s tour in Australia will be the Adelaide Motorsport Festival and the Australian Formula 1 in a few weeks.
