For over 100 years, Ford vehicles have competed in the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) held just outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado. For 2023, which marks the 101st edition of the event, Ford Performance will present the all-electric SuperVan 4.

In the first race held in 1916, a Ford Model T crossed the finish line at a height of 4,302 meters above sea level in a time of 28 minutes and 3 seconds. The SuperVan 4 aims to continue Ford’s tradition while clocking a time several minutes off its Model T counterpart.

“The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is definitely the perfect next stop for Ford Performance and the perfect place for the SuperVan 4, as both have a long history of firing the imagination of racing fans around the world,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports. “Both have evolved over time and now it’s time to bring our electric vehicle technology and put it to the test on the mountain, with some of the world’s most impressive performance vehicles in front of us.”

At PPIHC’s 101 events, Ford vehicles have been in force with a variety of models – from the 1916 Model T to the modern generation of the Ford Mustang, including a 2022 Shelby American Ford Mustang Shelby GT500SE.

Over the years, a number of iconic drivers have competed in Ford cars on the legendary climb – from Curtis Tanner and Parnelli Jones in the stock class, who broke the record in the 1960s, to the late Ken Block who climbed the mountain in Hoonicorn for the Climbkhana series.

For 2023, the SuperVan 4 will be driven by motorsport legend and PPIHC record holder Romain Dumas, who, among other notable achievements, is also a three-time Le Mans winner and holder of several electric vehicle track records .

“Ford’s latest generation of electric vehicle technology is a perfect match for the American Mountain,” said Romain Dumas. “With high altitude reducing power in traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, the SuperVan 4’s electric drive system will not suffer losses at high altitudes and will be a strong contender in this year’s race.”

This will be the ninth appearance of Romain Dumas in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, who participated for the first time in this race in 2012.

“We always look forward to seeing what car Romain will race in the next Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. It always competes with unique structures that, in addition to being highly competitive, also provide an enjoyable spectacle,” confided Melissa Eickhoff, Executive Director of the PPIHC. “And this year, history repeats itself. Ford Performance’s SuperVan 4 is sure to be a crowd pleaser.”

The SuperVan 4, which is the result of a collaboration between Ford Performance and STARD, features an all-wheel drive system powered by a high-efficiency 50 kWh battery. At the same time, the SuperVan 4 combines an electric drive system with a carbon body, FIA-approved roll cage and adjustable regenerative braking.

The vehicle is the latest creation of STARD’s EV & R&D departments developed in collaboration with Ford Performance as part of a five-year relationship between the two sides. Several more high-performance electric powertrains were co-developed during it, such as the one found in the Fiesta ERX™, which competed in the first FIA-certified rallycross series for electric vehicles.

“The SuperVan 4 is equipped with one of the most powerful electric drive systems ever developed in the world,” said STARD CEO Michael Sakowicz. “He’s done the Goodwood climb, he’s run WRC special stages and elsewhere. Now, his participation in one of the most iconic and unique events in the world is something very exciting and STARD is proud to be a part of the whole endeavour.”

Ford Performance will reveal more details about this year’s PPIHC effort ahead of the race.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will take place on Sunday, June 25, 2023. For more information about the event, visit https://ppihc.org/.