Ford had a successful year at Pikes Peak last year. It brought home the overall title using its F-150 Lightning SuperTruck electric vehicle. So Ford is going to try to keep that title for 2025. But instead of a vehicle modeled on the F-150 Lightning, it’s changing to one that looks like the Mustang Mach-E. And while Ford has proven it can win Pikes Peak, the next question is, can the company and the team manage to set a new overall record?
What To Expect From The New Ford
Unfortunately for us, Ford has only provided a teaser and the most bare information about it and its team this year. It’s definitely a Mach-E-based machine, highlighted by the illuminated pony badge, and Romain Dumas, the current Pikes Peak record-holder, and pilot for Ford’s Pikes Peak cars the last two years, will return behind the wheel. The teaser also shows that the car is absurdly wide with all manner of aerodynamic aids such as the huge rear wing, front splitter and various vents and canards.
We wouldn’t be surprised if the car uses basically the same powertrain as the F-150 Lightning and the SuperVan 4.2 that preceded it. Both those vehicles used three STARD 6-phase motors, with one at the front and two at the rear. Total output came to 1,400 horsepower on the SuperVan, and 1,600 horsepower on the Lightning. Interestingly, a trio of STARD motors is what’s going to be used on the prototype NASCAR electric cars, one of which will also be a Mustang Mach-E. We’re also expecting other similar equipment such as carbon ceramic brakes, magnesium wheels and in-board suspension. The amount of downforce will probably be extreme, too, with the Lightning able to produce 6,000 lbs of it at 150 mph.
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Best Pikes Peak Cars: Meet The Titans That Tamed The Summit
With the 101st running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb just around the corner, let’s take a look at previous winners.
To Set An Overall Record, It Has To Be Way Faster
Ford has a strong shot at winning the Pikes Peak hill climb again this year. The last two years with Dumas, the company has had sub-9-minute times yielding a win last year, and a solid second the year before. We don’t see any reason they can’t do similarly this year. But despite the genuinely fast times, that still puts Ford well behind the overall fastest time, which was also set by Dumas, but in a Volkswagen. The fast time remains 7:57.48 with the VW ID.R electric car in 2018. The best time by Ford and Dumas was 8:47.682 with the SuperVan 4.2. That’s 50 seconds off the pace of the VW, which was also using less than half the horsepower. It’s a serious challenge, but we’ll be watching with anticipation to see if the team can topple it. And even if they miss, they’ll at least likely bring home another title with the effort.
News Summary:
- Ford Is Headed Back To Pikes Peak With A Mustang Mach-E
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