Ford has just unveiled its absolutely wild SuperTruck based on the F-150 Lightning, but it looks nothing like the stock version. The model is ready to take on the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Ford is making a comeback at the mountain with another electric demonstrator for the 102nd running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado. This year, it is the F-150 Lightning SuperTruck.
Ford has finally pulled the camouflage off the vehicle, which was designed in partnership with Ford Design and STARD Advanced Research and Development. The model boasts advanced aerodynamics as it generates 6,000 pounds of downforce at 150 mph (241 kph).
The SuperTruck is powered by three STARD UHP 6-Phase Motors, which pump out over 1,400 horsepower (1,419 metric horsepower). That is more than double compared to what the most powerful stock Ford F-150 Lightning makes: 580 horsepower (588 horsepower).
Meanwhile, the energy is stored in a battery pack containing Ultra-High-Performance Li-Polymer NMC cells. There is no information on the range, but all this insane truck needs is to go up the summit.
Photo: Ford
The vehicle sports a triple-element front wing, headlight ducts, hood ducts, and louvers. There are front dive-planes, side diffusers, a rear diffuser, and a massive multi-element rear wing.
The SuperTruck rides on magnesium forged wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero tires, while carbon ceramic brakes provide the stopping power. A fully custom in-board suspension equips the demonstrator.
Pro-driver and Pikes Peak record holder Romain Dumas will drive the SuperTruck along the 12.42-mile (19.99-kilometer) hill climb. Dumas will go up the mountain for the ninth time and for the second time with Ford Performance. So, there is no one else that Ford would want on board the F-150 Lightning-based vehicle next week.
The Pikes Peak veteran is now planning to push the limits of the Ford-branded demonstrator for a new record. He says that the F-150 Lightning SuperTruck surpassed his expectations during testing. All he needs is some good weather on the day of the climb.
It is Ford's second consecutive year competing with an EV demonstrator. Last year, they took to Pikes Peak the SuperVan 4.2.
Ford is far from being a newcomer at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The Blue Oval has been going up the mountain since 1916. It all started with a Model T that completed the climb to the summit in 28 minutes and 3 seconds.
It may not sound like much by today's standards when the record sits at 7 minutes and 57.148 seconds with the name of Romain Dumas next to it. In 2022, Dumas achieved the record-breaking time behind the wheel of a Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak.
This year, Ford Performance is on a mission to surpass its own record on June 23. Last year, the SuperVan 4.2 ran to the summit in 8 minutes and 47.682 seconds.
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