Ford’s F-150 Lightning SuperTruck EV Revs Up for Pikes Peak

There are many things to see and do in the US. Motorsports using cars are also fun to watch because they are large and unique compared to other countries. Many motorsports have a long history, such as monster trucks and NASCAR, and Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado also boasts popularity and history.

This competition, in which car manufacturers from around the world participate by modifying their vehicles into high-performance versions, starts at 1,440m (4,724 feet) above sea level and ends at 4,302m (14,114 feet) above sea level while driving on gravel and paved roads. Ford unveiled a new vehicle to participate in this Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. What will it look like?

Last year, they set a record with transit
This year, they tried again with a pickup truck

First of all, Ford is a regular guest at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Last year, a record was achieved by producing a high-performance van based on Ford’s commercial van Transit EV. This year, Ford took on the challenge again with a new vehicle based on last year’s good experience, a modified pickup truck.

A super truck was produced based on Ford’s representative pickup truck and America’s symbol, the F-150’s electrified model, the F-150 Lightning. The full name is F-150 Lightning Super Truck EV Demonstrator. You can feel the rough and raw atmosphere and its formidable exterior even from the name.

Radical appearance, performance
Foundation for Ford’s technological advancement

The truck was jointly developed with STRAD Advanced R&D. Its most significant differences from a regular truck are its aerodynamics-centered design and the massive spoiler at the rear. At approximately 240 km/h (149 mph), a downforce of roughly 2,721 kg (5999 lbs) is formed. It is almost possible to fly just by attaching wings to the sides.

Ford’s supertruck shows shocking performance but has not yet revealed its specific performance and information. However, Ford is confident that this vehicle’s production and race participation will be an excellent foundation for the brand’s future electric powertrain research and development. Ford’s super truck is expected to debut officially at the race on June 23, 2024.

The standard model is also attracting attention
What are the competitor models?

Meanwhile, with the unveiling of Ford’s F-150 super truck, Ford’s F-150 Lightning model (EV model), which is currently on sale, is also attracting attention. This vehicle, first introduced in 2021, can secure a driving range of approximately 370 km (230 miles) to 480 km (298 miles) on a single charge. In addition, it generates a maximum performance of 560 horsepower, and the time it takes to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill is close to 4 seconds.

Competitive models include Chevrolet’s Silverado EV, GMC’s Sierra EV, Hummer EV, and Tesla’s Cybertruck. So far, we have looked into Ford’s F-150 Lightning supertruck, which is active in motorsports and will contribute to the development of electric vehicle technology.