Ford’s Electric Van Marks a Milestone at the 2024 Goodwood Hill Climb

Photo Source: Ford

July 14 was the final day of the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, and Ford displayed the inventiveness and raw power of its most recent creation: the 1,400-horsepower electric SuperVan 4.2. This juggernaut of a machine, sharing the foundation of a Ford E-Transit, not only enthralled onlookers but also set the quickest time of the event.

What is the Speed of the Ford SuperVan 4.2?

The SuperVan 4.2, with Romain Dumas behind the wheel, flexed its superiority through the 1.17-mile hill climb in an astounding 43.98 seconds. This remarkable accomplishment cemented its position as the fastest automobile of the day. Even though the competition this year (2024) might not have been as relentless, the SuperVan’s performance remains a tribute to its engineering prowess and Dumas’s driving skills.

Romain Dumas is no stranger to breaking records. For example, in 2019, he demolished the previous record held by Nikki Heidfeld since 1998. Of note, while the SuperVan 4.2 did not quite match the pace of the Volkswagen ID.R that Dumas drove five years ago, it secured a win, adding another feat to Ford’s growing list of electric vehicle achievements.

Indeed, the brand’s electric SuperVan 4.2 proved itself on numerous occasions. Earlier this year (2024), the vehicle set a new record at Bathurst, outpacing the time previously set by Christopher Mies in an Audi R8 LMS. Moreover, it grappled with the challenging Pikes Peak, further strengthening its reputation as an overpowering force on the track.

“We have brought a sensational lineup of vehicles to this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed that shows the breadth of our capabilities. Whether it’s a road car or racing car, electrified or petrol-powered, we are creating the kind of game-changing vehicles that only Ford can produce.” 

–Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance

Behind the Wheel and Under the Hood

Romain Dumas, a disciplined driver with a sensational track record, brought his expertise to the Goodwood hill climb. His combined skill and experience were pivotal in channeling the automobile’s massive output and navigating the treacherous course with precision. Aside from Dumas’s steady command of the vehicle, at the core of the SuperVan 4.2 lies a heavily altered Ford E-Transit platform, converted to generate a mind-boggling 1,400 horsepower.

This electric heavyweight showcases the Blue Oval’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle performance. That said, despite its staggering capabilities, Ford decided not to make this powerhouse available to the public, keeping it as a demonstration of the brand’s engineering capacity. Ford’s SuperVan 4.2 is more than just a speed machine; it is a declaration of innovation. 

By taking an electric van and transforming it into a high-performance vehicle, Ford underscored the potential of electric powertrains in several automotive applications. The SuperVan’s victory at Goodwood is an indication that the future of performance vehicles might be electric.

Look Ahead with the Blue Oval at Sunrise Ford!

The reception at Goodwood was overwhelmingly positive. Experts and enthusiasts alike were overjoyed to witness the SuperVan’s performance. The occasion highlighted that electric vehicles could deliver the acceleration and emotion customarily affiliated with combustion engines. 

Even though the SuperVan 4.2 is a demonstrator vehicle, its underpinnings are based on the E-Transit, available in our new vehicle inventory. Additionally, our Electric Vehicle Lifestyle allows you to explore incentives and get more ownership information. Please grant us the pleasure of helping you today.