PIKES PEAK, Colo., June 17, 2024 – Ford Performance has announced its return to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with the debut of the F-150 Lightning SuperTruck, the latest addition to its line of electric vehicle demonstrators. This marks Ford’s second consecutive year competing at the Hill Climb with an EV, following the record-setting SuperVan 4.2 in 2023.
Developed in collaboration with Ford Design and STARD Advanced Research and Development, the F-150 Lightning SuperTruck is engineered to excel in the extreme conditions of Pikes Peak. The truck boasts advanced aerodynamics, generating 6,000 pounds of downforce at 150 mph, and features optimized electric motors designed for peak performance.
For the 102nd running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the SuperTruck will be equipped with three STARD UHP 6-Phase Motors and Ultra-High Performance Li-Polymer NMC cells, delivering over 1,400 horsepower.
The EV demonstrator’s design includes a triple-element front wing, headlight ducts, hood ducts and louvers, front dive-planes, side diffusers, rear diffuser, and a multi-element rear wing to maximize aerodynamics. It is also fitted with carbon ceramic brakes, Pirelli P-Zero tires on magnesium forged wheels, and a fully custom in-board suspension system.
Veteran driver Romain Dumas, who holds the current overall record for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, will pilot the SuperTruck. This will be his ninth appearance at the event and his second with Ford Performance. Dumas’s extensive experience makes him the ideal candidate to drive this cutting-edge vehicle.
“After a successful 2023 climb, I’m thrilled to be behind the wheel again with this team and to help push the limits of what an electric vehicle can achieve on the turns of this legendary course,” said Dumas. ”In testing, the F-150 Lightning SuperTruck has surpassed my expectations, so we are hoping for some good weather to try and do something very special.”
STARD, which played a key role in the development and construction of the SuperTruck’s powertrain design and controls, continues its partnership with Ford Performance following the success of SuperVan 4.0.
“To make the best vehicles for our customers, our research takes us racing in the harshest and most challenging conditions – the F-150 Lightning SuperTruck is the latest example of that,” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance. “Our pursuit to the top of the mountain is charged by the commitment to make all our electric vehicles more capable, more advanced, and more exciting.”
Ford has a long history with Pikes Peak, dating back to 1916 when a Model T completed the climb to the 14,115 ft summit in 28 minutes and 03 seconds. This year, Ford aims to surpass its own 2023 record set by the SuperVan 4.2, which completed the run in 8 minutes and 47.682 seconds.
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is scheduled to take place on June 23.
