Watch Ford’s ‘Race to the Clouds’ Pikes Peak record run in 1,973bhp electric Supervan 4.2
What is Max Verstappen doing in this film?!
Gravel-voiced Hollywood narrator? Check. Movie-grade cinematography showing the USA’s landscape at its glorious best? Check. Needless reference to an extreme sport? Check. Condescending American views of stereotypical British culture? Check. Clanging name-drops of major celebrities, including a Formula 1 driver who has no real reason to be in the piece? Check.
Yes, this video of Ford’s exploits at the 2023 Pikes Peak Hillclimb — aka the Race to the Clouds — is about as American as American can be; like a piece of apple pie, topped with cheese and then given a light dusting of freedom, hell yeah.
But wait a minute, what’s this? Right in the middle of everything, you not only get an authentic Essex accent, but also an absolute staple of Britain’s roads: the Ford Transit.
That’s right, Ford chose to take on one of the most famous and gruelling motorsport events in the world… in a van.
But not just any old van, of course. Looking like something B. A. Baracus might drive in a dystopian cyberpunk future, the Supervan 4.2 is the latest in a long line of outrageous commercial-vehicle-based mega-Transits dating back to 1971. Only, this time around, Supervan 4.2 is fully electric. Oh, and it has 1,973bhp.
With two-time Pikes Peak (and Le Mans) winner Romain Dumas installed behind the wheel, Ford was targeting the Open Class record of 9m 24.433s up the mountain in Colorado. In fact, it was also hoping to go sub-nine minutes, and perhaps even take the overall 2023 event win.
Did it manage to achieve its goals? Well, watch the epic Team America-esque video above to find out.
Related articles
- If you were interested in Ford’s attempt at Pikes Peak, you might be interested to read about one of its competitors, a special Radford driven by Tanner Foust
- Volkswagen ID R smashes Pikes Peak hill climb record
- And we have the full story on Alpine’s entry, too
Latest articles
- Extended test: 2024 Renault Scenic E-Tech review
- Best-selling cars 2025: The UK’s ten most popular models of the year so far
- Audi A6 Avant 2025 review: Trusty executive estate ticks expected boxes, and there’s still a diesel option
- Keir Starmer eases pressure on carmakers to sell EVs in response to ‘global economic headwinds’
- F1 2025 calendar and race reports: The new Formula One season as it happens
- Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider review: Heady blend of traditional and futuristic becomes even more intoxicating after lid is removed
- Skoda reveals its fastest accelerating production car yet: the electric Elroq vRS
- Carmakers fined £461m in UK and Europe for not competing over vehicle recycling
- Volkswagen Tayron 2025 review: Useful seven-seat SUV and decent PHEV — just not at the same time
