Ford F150 Lightning SuperTruck
Like the Nurburgring circuit in Germany – the Pikes Peak hill climb track in the US has become something of a Mecca for setting hill climb times to brag about.
For those who have not heard of the annual Pikes Peak race, it is one of the world’s oldest hill climb tracks with race events stretching back to 1916.
Based on a somewhat crazy public road that runs to the top of the Pikes Peak mountain in Colorado, the track covers a distance of 19.99 km with 156 turns and rises from 1,440 metres to 2,862 metres.
In 1916, the winning purpose-built ‘special’ set the overall record time of 20 minutes and 55.6 seconds. With the evolution of vehicles, that time has been gradually reducing and the current ‘unlimited’ category record (set in 2018) sits at 7 min, 57.148 sec. That record, by the way, was set by an EV: the purpose-built VW I.D.R.
Like all motoring events, there are different classes and different record times are set for each class, with the current open class record set at last year’s event by the Ford E-Transit SuperVan with the time of 8 min, 47.682 sec.
That record is to be challenged by Ford at this year’s event (June 23) with a purpose built F150 Lightning ute dubbed the SuperTruck.
Like the Ford E-Transit SuperVan before it, the F150 Lightning SuperTruck to run at Pikes Peak is in appearance only similar to the vehicle it carries the name of. (In fact, Ford readily admit the only thing in the SuperVan that is from the production E-Transit is the windscreen!)
The F150 Lightning SuperTruck is a collaborative design done between Ford Design and STARD Advanced Research and Development and is optimised to excel in the extreme conditions of the Pikes Peak event.
Its aerodynamics include a triple-element front wing, headlight ducts, hood ducts and louvres, front dive-planes, side diffusers, rear diffuser, and multi-element rear wing to maximize aerodynamics. Together, they can generate up to 2,700 kilograms of downforce at 240 km/h.
Braking and suspension are also bespoke, with carbon ceramic brakes, Pirelli P-Zero tyres on magnesium forged wheels, and a fully custom in-board suspension system.
The powertrain consists of three STARD UHP 6-phase motors and ultra-high performance Li-polymer NMC cells, generating over 1,030 kW (1400 horsepower) output.
To quote Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance:
“To make the best vehicles for our customers, our research takes us racing in the harshest and most challenging conditions – the F-150 Lightning SuperTruck is the latest example of that. Our pursuit to the top of the mountain is charged by the commitment to make all our electric vehicles more capable, more advanced, and more exciting.”
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is set to take place this June 23. It will be available to watch for free via YouTube.
Bryce Gaton is an expert on electric vehicles and contributor for The Driven and Renew Economy. He has been working in the EV sector since 2008 and is currently working as EV electrical safety trainer/supervisor for the University of Melbourne. He also provides support for the EV Transition to business, government and the public through his EV Transition consultancy EVchoice.
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