A brand new technology of Ford muscle vehicles is getting used to highlight the Blue Oval’s transfer to electrification.
Boasting massive energy, and even larger torque, they’re being rolled into motion on the world’s traditional motorsport occasions and automobile reveals across the globe.
The starter vehicles for this system have been the Mustang Cobra Jet and Mustang Mach-E 1400 – with 1400 horsepower or 1043kW – in 2020, with the rollout persevering with since then.
The most recent of the muscular electrical autos (EVs) is the Ford E-Transit Customized ‘SuperVan 4.2’, at present in Australia for demonstration runs at Bathurst, with extra vehicles to return earlier than the top of 2024.
“We’re showcasing how thrilling our EVs will be,” the senior supervisor for Formulation One and EV demonstrator autos at Ford Efficiency, Sriram Pakkam, informed CarExpert.
“It’s an awesome transition as a result of we’re taking the manufacturing EVs and doing loopy hot-rodding. There are three extra coming this yr, so it’s a busy studying cycle.”
The EV program is a twenty first century repeat of labor on the unique Mustang within the Sixties, when Ford took its now-iconic pony automobile and reworked it right into a showroom supercar and gross sales hero with high-performance upgrades, massive engines and worldwide motorsport success – together with wins within the Australian Touring Automobile Championship (now Supercars).
“The Mustang began as a secretary’s automobile,” Mr Pakkam stated.
“It’s an identical scenario with the EV muscle vehicles. We’ve been very purposeful concerning the expertise switch you may get from these demonstration vehicles.
“It turns into a mix. You can also make a distinction. Switch it again to the manufacturing vehicles.”
Mr Pakkam was initially concerned with the EV efforts as a junior aerodynamicist however transferred again to the highest job within the second half of final yr as Ford continues to develop its lineup of wickedly fast demonstrator vehicles.
“It’s a really busy program,” he stated.
He is not going to present any particulars about future autos, however confirmed they’ll proceed to be halo autos for manufacturing fashions. They’ve already included the common Ford Mustang and F-150 pickup, in addition to the Mustang Mach-E and E-Transit.
Mr Pakkam’s group can be forging shut ties to the Crimson Bull Racing staff in Formulation One forward of a expertise partnership between the multi-championship successful outfit and Ford from 2026.
His group has additionally grown quickly to twenty folks with completely different engineering specialties, and extra to return.
They’ve created drag racing and off-road competitors autos, in addition to the SuperVan 4.2 working in Australia after an look on the traditional Pikes Peak Hillclimb within the USA.
It has 1500kW of energy, 4000Nm of torque, generates two tonnes of downforce at 240km/h and has a high pace of greater than 310km/h.
But it surely additionally has a tow hitch on the tail to offer a visible hyperlink to the E-Transit in showrooms.
In line with Mr Pakkam, working demonstrations just like the monitor laps at Mount Panorama with SuperVan 4.2 is one of the best ways to push the boundaries on electrification.
“The principle objective is pushing the technological limits. You may solely try this in racing. It is a managed atmosphere the place can push the boundaries,” he stated.
“We’re treating it precisely like a race program. Should you don’t push to the restrict you gained’t discover the problems.
“We’ve had learnings on regenerative braking and steering right here at Bathurst. You may by no means predict these things. Some stuff you don’t really discover out till you push these points.
“Most of it’s expertise switch. It’s going to result in a extra sturdy future manufacturing lineup.”
As Ford expands its battery-electric lineup, Mr Pakkam stated the efforts beneath Ford Efficiency are enhancing the corporate’s merchandise and fame.
“Whether or not Ford is a efficiency model or not, our EVs are thrilling autos. That’s what making an attempt to point out. It’s about exaggerating their talents after which creating this monster product,” Mr Pakkam informed CarExpert.
“It’s good for the model, it’s good for the enterprise, and it’s actually good for patrons as a result of we’re bettering our autos.”