Yahoo Autos Ford F-150 Lightning SuperTruck for Pikes Peak Is One Helluva Demonstrator
Ford will return to Pikes Peak in late June with another EV demonstrator.
After setting an Open Class record in 2023 with the SuperVan 4.2, the manufacturer cooked up a bonkers version of the F-150 Lightning.
Romain Dumas will pilot the F-150 Lightning SuperTruck, which produces 6000 pounds of downforce thanks to a slew of over-the-top aero elements.
The mountains are calling to Ford, and the manufacturer is responding by returning with a new EV demonstrator. Ford made a splash at the 2023 running of Pikes Peak by setting a new record in the Open Class competition with its SuperVan 4.2. Now, the company is returning to the famous hill-climb event with the similarly madcap F-150 Lightning SuperTruck EV pickup.
According to Ford, development for the SuperTruck draws inspiration from the run-of-the-mill F-150 Lightning, but we think it's more closely related to the previous SuperVan. As with the van, the SuperTruck was developed in conjunction with the Austria-based STARD, which specializes in electric race and rally cars.
We don't have specifics on power yet, but the SuperVan 4.2 produced north of 1400 horsepower, while its predecessor the SuperVan 4.0 generated an eye-popping 1973 stampeding horses. We think the SuperTruck will be somewhere in that ballpark. Ford was kind enough to provide (brag about) downforce figures, which were apparently developed to reach 6000 pounds of downforce at 150 mph—something the automaker says is integral to the Pikes Peak attempt.
We'd wager that, thanks to a stripped interior and body panels that are clearly made entirely from carbon fiber, the demonstrator is considerably lighter than the 6855-pound production vehicle. The high-performance truck likely also features an FIA-grade racing seat, motorsport-quality brakes, and a set of racing slicks to keep it glued to the mountain.
Romain Dumas will return to pilot the SuperTruck as he did with the record-setting van last year. The 102nd running of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb will be held later this month on Sunday, June 23.
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