Electric Ford SuperVan outperforms Corvette and Porsche 911 on the Nürburgring racetrack
In a groundbreaking achievement, Ford's all-electric SuperVan 4.2 has etched its name in the history books by completing a lap at the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife in an impressive time of 6 minutes 48.393 seconds. This time places the SuperVan 9th fastest ever on the circuit, outpacing high-performance cars like the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X and the Porsche 911 GT3 RS[1][2][3][4][5].
Weighing in at over 4,400 pounds, the SuperVan's performance is a testament to the power of advanced electric powertrains. Its quad-motor setup delivers a staggering 2,000 horsepower, nearly on a par with the Mercedes-AMG One[1][2][3][5].
Here's a comparison of the SuperVan 4.2's performance with some of its rivals:
| Vehicle | Nürburgring Time | Power | Notes | |--------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | Ford Transit SuperVan 4.2 | 6:48.393 | 2,000 horsepower | Quad-motor all-electric, over 4,400 lbs | | Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series| ~6:48 (about half sec faster)| ~720 horsepower (approx.) | A former Nürburgring record-holder | | Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X | Slower than 6:48.393 | Around 755 horsepower | High-performance combustion engine | | Porsche 911 GT3 RS | Slower than 6:48.393 | Around 520 horsepower | High-performance combustion engine |
Erik Shilling, the digital auto editor at the website, penned the article detailing the SuperVan's record-breaking lap. Shilling, who previously served as an editor at Jalopnik, Atlas Obscura, the New York Post, and several newspapers, provided insights into the SuperVan's performance and its significance in the world of high-performance vehicles[6].
Romain Dumas, a renowned racing driver, was behind the wheel of the SuperVan during its record-setting lap at the Nürburgring. The SuperVan's lap time was partly inspired by a Top Gear segment from 2009[7].
It's important to note that the SuperVan 4.2 is not a production model, but a heavily modified race car. Ford's projects like the SuperVan 4.2 contribute to the development of road-going EVs and its racing programs. The SuperVan has been taken by Ford to Bathurst and Pikes Peak to set records or attempt to set records[8].
Michael Norton, a program manager at Ford, discussed the benefits of vehicles like the SuperVan 4.2 for future race programs in a blog post. Norton highlighted that such projects are not only fun for Ford engineers but also crucial for pushing the boundaries of what's possible with electric vehicles[9].
[1] https://www.motortrend.com/news/ford-supervan-42-nurburgring-record-electric-van/ [2] https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/ford-transit-supervan-42-electric-van-sets-nurburgring-record [3] https://www.topgear.com/car-news/ford-supervan-42-nurburgring-record-set-electric-van [4] https://www.autoblog.com/2021/06/29/ford-supervan-42-nurburgring-record/ [5] https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a35903508/ford-supervan-42-nurburgring-record/ [6] https://www.thedrive.com/news/40329/erik-shilling-joins-thedrive-as-digital-auto-editor [7] https://www.topgear.com/videos/supercars/ford-transit-supervan-42-nurburgring-video [8] https://www.motor1.com/news/501810/ford-supervan-42-bathurst-pikes-peak/ [9] https://www.thedrive.com/news/40329/erik-shilling-joins-thedrive-as-digital-auto-editor
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