Ford Efficiency is returning to “America’s Mountain” to take part within the 102nd operating of the Pikes Peak Worldwide Hill Climb. After reaching the summit in a modded-up electrical SuperVan final 12 months, Ford appears to be like to make the climb once more with a bespoke F-150 Lightning EV and has teased it in an apparently sounding video beneath.
For individuals who don’t know, the Pikes Peak Worldwide Hill Climb (PPIHC) is an annual occasion held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, through which automobiles from all over the world attempt to earn the quickest climb time by winding by 156 turns round a 12.42-mile route that climbs 4,725 ft to an altitude over 14,000 ft above sea stage.
Within the “race to the clouds’” century-plus historical past, Ford has been a mainstay, courting all the best way again to 1916 when the Mannequin T climbed throughout in inaugural occasion. Vehicles have gotten a helluva lot sooner since then, and Ford nonetheless reveals up yearly with one thing to show.
Throughout Pikes Peak 2023, Ford Efficiency confirmed up with an all-electric SuperVan, constructed from an E-Transit, full with a sick spoiler and aerodynamics that helped produce over 4,400 lbs. of downforce at speeds of 150 mph.
Following a end on the prime of the Pikes Peak Open Class and second total, the SuperVan has continued to compete for Ford Efficiency, shattering monitor information on the Mount Panorama circuit final week for the quickest closed-wheel automobile, electrical automobile, and industrial mannequin automobile ever to run at Bathurst.
As an encore at this 12 months’s Pikes Peak climb, Ford Efficiency goes to indicate off a brand new super-speedy EV constructed from an F-150 Lightning pickup. Right here’s the teaser video; pay attention intently.
Ford to summit Pikes Peak in F-150 Lightning demonstrator
Seems like a jet airplane. Is Hyundai N concerned? Simply kidding.
Thus far, all we’ve gotten from Ford Efficiency is the video and picture above, in addition to affirmation the all-new demonstrator truck of the Ford F-150 Lightning shall be taking part in Pikes Peak 2024 as competitor quantity 150.
Ford did one thing comparable with the SuperVan final 12 months, so we count on to see a greater have a look at the performance-grade Lightning earlier than it makes its timed ascent this summer time. The unique Lightning is aerodynamic for a pickup. Nonetheless, it’s on no account a racing EV, so it’s thrilling to see how Ford Efficiency has custom-made it to attempt to seize one other podium in Colorado.
Qualifying days for Pikes Peak 2024 will happen from June 18-20 adopted by the Hill Climb competitors on June 23.