Making a van look cool is difficult, except for a brief period in the 1970s. When baby boomers used to convert them into mobile living rooms. Today, Mercedes-Benz Sprinters and RVs are becoming objects of passion and longing. All thanks to the modern van life craze. But one of the few manufacturers that ever makes these utilitarian people haulers even somewhat cool is Volkswagen. Volkswagen enjoys appealing to the human brain’s nostalgic regions. They presented it as an ID. Buzz concept, which was unveiled in 2017. The ID.Buzz concept stood out from the other vehicles. Thanks to its bright yellow paint job that complemented its all-electric drivetrain. In March, Volkswagen officially introduced the VW ID.BUZZ production model after years of anticipation. It’s a new model of the iconic VW minibus that was released as a more opulent electric van, while still giving nods to the earlier model.
Ford, however, has a history in this market. That dates back to the first SuperVan from 1971, with three concepts. Today, Ford is catching up to Volkswagen. Ford’s most recent model, which already made its public premiere this week at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK. Ford Pro Electric Supervan represents a step toward the development of super vans. This new super van might be a buzz killer for Volkswagen’s momentum.
The Craziest Ford Ever Build Capable Of Producing 2000-HP
It wasn’t long after Ford introduced the Ford Transit in 1965 before the company’s race-obsessed employees unveiled an absolutely insane race-grade variant. Ford equipped the most recent SuperVan with four electric motors. That gave it the performance needed to sprint from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than two seconds in 2022. Romain Dumas, a racing driver, and Electric motorsport expert who has won five championships, is the one who pushes the car up the fabled hill. Minivans do indeed merit this level of respect. Pretty remarkable for a van that could also transport your Amazon order in no time. Considering that Ford kept a load space between the roll cage beams behind the driver’s seat, delivering cargo might be possible.
This year, Ford Performance partnered with Austria-based Electric motorsport and rally specialists STARD. To help modernize the new van with an all-electric design. With four electric motors and a 50-kilowatt-hour battery pack, the SuperVan boasts all-wheel drive and 1,973 horsepower. That is over 400 horsepower more than a Bugatti Chiron Super Sport. Also, it is over three times as powerful as the SuperVan 3. And let’s take a pause to pay tribute to Volkswagen’s Buzz.
Ford Performance Motorsports's global director, Mark Rushbrook, commented: “We’re bringing SuperVan into the 21st century with 2,000 PS of all-electric power for unmatched excitement and unmistakable styling inspired by the new E-Transit Custom”.
Ford Pro Electric SuperVan Performance Goes Beyond Simple Straight-Line Speed
The SuperVan’s four motors provide a variety of possibilities for power allocation. There are five driving modes, to begin with, spanning from Road to Rally and covering it all, from Drag to Drift. The SuperVan’s motors can be set as needed for optimal traction or greatest gamesmanship prowess. For smoke-firing burnouts that prepare the tires for a qualifying lap. SuperVan uses a separate “tire cleaning” option that disables the front or rear axle. This weekend at Goodwood, you can expect to see a lot of that. Traction control, launch control, a speed limiter for the pit lane, and three-stage regenerative braking are examples of electronic assistance technologies that can help preserve battery life.
It is, surprisingly, an electric monster. Ford SuperVan sent power to all four wheels by the four electric motors. According to the Ford, the battery is mid-mounted. Keeping the SuperVan’s center of gravity low and aiding in its weight distribution. Also, a 50 kWh liquid-cooled battery that powers the motors themselves. Ford claims it will take roughly 45 minutes to fully charge the battery. Although they did not specify the range. Given the SuperVan’s performance, which, once more, produces roughly 2000 horsepower. And speeds up as quickly as an F1 car, the range is probably not going to be that high.
​​​​Turning E-Transit Custom To Ford Pro Electric SuperVan
Ford Performance and Austrian electric racing specialist STARD worked the mechanical and aerodynamics specifics out. While the Ford Design team, in Cologne, Germany, had full freedom to design a crazy minivan out of lightweight materials. The newly released E-Transit Custom is the foundation for the Ford SuperVan idea. With a conspicuous front splitter, side skirts, a sizable rear diffuser, and a roof-mounted wing. The SuperVan has a comprehensive aero kit. The dorsal fin directs air, creating downforce. Helps push the Electric SuperVan into the track for extra traction. The stunning cutaways at the back appear destined to become a distinguishing feature of this new SuperVan.
Additionally, the taillights on the SuperVan are completely blackened. Ford adapted the design of the brake from Ford’s race cars for SuperVan. As well as a redesigned suspension at both axles, motorsport-grade front, and rear subframes, and other upgrades. While probably not providing much as luxury or productivity. Ford has used the same touchscreen as the Mustang Mach-E for the Pro Electric SuperVan. Which is portrait-oriented and has the same capability as a Mustang Mach-E.
“The proportions are a more dramatic version of what we developed for the E-Transit Custom, and the front light bar creates a futuristic expression, making the Electric Supervan the absolute pinnacle of Transit design language.” Amko Leenarts, design director for Ford of Europe, adds.