Sports

Epic Triumph of the Ford SuperVan 4.2 at the Bathurst 500

February 26, 2024

3 mins read

The Ford SuperVan 4.2 made history at the Bathurst 500 in Australia, setting new lap records for the fastest closed-wheel, electric, and commercial vehicle categories. Driven by Romain Dumas, the vehicle achieved an impressive time of 1:56.3247 while hitting top speeds of over 300 km/h and delivering an astonishing 2,000 horsepower. This achievement highlights the advancements in electric vehicle technology and represents a bright future for sustainable racing. The SuperVan is more than a speedy vehicle; it symbolizes the advancements in electric vehicle technology, serving as a bright beacon on the path to a sustainable racing industry.

The Ford SuperVan 4.2 set new lap records for the fastest closed-wheel, electric, and commercial vehicle categories at the Bathurst 500 in Australia. Driven by Romain Dumas, the vehicle achieved an impressive time of 1:56.3247 while hitting top speeds of over 300 km/h and delivering an astonishing 2,000 horsepower. This achievement highlights the advancements in electric vehicle technology and represents a bright future for sustainable racing.

Setting New Milestones

In a breathtaking demonstration of speed and power, the Ford SuperVan 4.2 clinched an emphatic victory at the Bathurst 500 at Mount Panorama in Australia, simultaneously achieving three new lap records. Driven by the skilled Romain Dumas, a seasoned professional in the racing circuit, the SuperVan emerged as a symbol of a new age in the realm of electric vehicles.

The Ford SuperVan 4.2 is not your typical race car. This masterpiece of contemporary engineering marked its place in history by posting leading times for the fastest closed-wheel vehicle, electric vehicle, and commercial vehicle categories. This vehicle transcends the average race car definition, providing a preview of motor sports’ future where electric power replaces fossil fuels without any decline in power or performance.

Unrivaled Speed and Power

Seasoned and lauded driver, Romain Dumas, expertly navigated the SuperVan around the challenging 6.2-kilometer lap, clocking in an impressive time of 1:56.3247. This accomplishment is particularly striking as it was a whole ten seconds ahead of the lap times achieved by conventional V8 supercars, which regularly compete on the same track. The SuperVan reached this extraordinary feat while hitting top speeds of over 300 km/h on both Mountain Straight and Conrod Straights, demonstrating its unrivaled speed and power.

Mark Rushbrook, the Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsports, expressed his reverence for this feat, stating, “The hard work and expertise required to redefine the benchmark lap time for a closed-wheel vehicle at Mount Panorama is immense.” He also highlighted Dumas’s pivotal role in this achievement, emphasizing the driver’s innovative strategies and adaptability skills.

A Glimpse into the Future of Electric Vehicles

Interestingly, this is not the first time Dumas has made headlines with the SuperVan 4.2. Before the Bathurst 500, he broke records during the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb in 2023.

The SuperVan, weighing in at 1,800 kilograms and standing almost twice as tall as a GT3 race car, differs dramatically from standard racing vehicles. This gargantuan vehicle runs solely on electric power, with no trace of petrol, delivering an astonishing 2,000 horsepower. This vehicle, unlike any before it, made its debut on Mount Panorama’s tarmac, providing a show that is sure to be etched into the track’s history.

The Ford SuperVan 4.2 is more than a speedy vehicle; it symbolizes the advancements in electric vehicle (EV) technology, serving as a bright beacon on the path to a sustainable racing industry. “This is the first time I have driven the Ford SuperVan 4.2 faster than 300 km/h, and we left no stone unturned as we aimed for the quickest lap possible,” Dumas remarked after his record-breaking drive, emphasizing the vehicle’s enormous potential.

A Continuing Legacy

Following its historic achievement, the SuperVan 4.2 didn’t simply return to a quiet garage. It carried on thrilling fans at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival and the Rolex Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix later in the year.

The Ford SuperVan 4.2’s impressive victory at the Bathurst 500, ten seconds quicker than a traditional V8 supercar, signifies an important milestone in the automotive industry, heralding a future where electric power is not a limitation but a competitive edge. As motor racing continues to adapt and evolve, it’s evident that electric vehicles like the Ford SuperVan 4.2 are destined to play a pivotal role, breaking lap records along the way.

1. What is the Ford SuperVan 4.2?

The Ford SuperVan 4.2 is a race car that runs solely on electric power, delivering an astonishing 2,000 horsepower. It made history at the Bathurst 500 in Australia, setting new lap records for the fastest closed-wheel, electric, and commercial vehicle categories.

2. Who drove the Ford SuperVan 4.2?

The Ford SuperVan 4.2 was driven by Romain Dumas, a seasoned professional in the racing circuit.

3. What records did the Ford SuperVan 4.2 set at the Bathurst 500?

The Ford SuperVan 4.2 set new lap records for the fastest closed-wheel, electric, and commercial vehicle categories at the Bathurst 500 in Australia. It achieved an impressive time of 1:56.3247 and hit top speeds of over 300 km/h.

4. How does the Ford SuperVan 4.2 differ from standard racing vehicles?

The Ford SuperVan 4.2 weighs in at 1,800 kilograms and stands almost twice as tall as a GT3 race car. It runs solely on electric power, with no trace of petrol, delivering an astonishing 2,000 horsepower.

5. What does the Ford SuperVan 4.2 represent for the future of electric vehicles?

The Ford SuperVan 4.2 symbolizes the advancements in electric vehicle technology, serving as a bright beacon on the path to a sustainable racing industry. It provides a glimpse into the future of electric vehicles, where they replace fossil fuels without any decline in power or performance.

6. What is the legacy of the Ford SuperVan 4.2?

Following its historic achievement at the Bathurst 500, the SuperVan 4.2 continued to thrill fans at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival and the Rolex Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix later in the year. Its victory signifies an important milestone in the automotive industry, heralding a future where electric power is not a limitation but a competitive edge.

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