Those needing to perform deliveries in a hurry might want to take a look at the Ford Pro Electric Supervan, revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. This ultra-high-performance model is loosely based on the forthcoming next-generation Transit Custom but packs a set of electric motors that generate an astonishing 2,000hp.
Ford Pro Power
Sitting on top of a steel spaceframe chassis, the Transit Custom-based Electric Supervan is powered by a 50kWh battery pack that delivers energy to four separate electric motors – one for each wheel. Under normal circumstances, that might be enough for around 159 miles of range, but the Supervan converts energy to motion rather more quickly; that 2,000hp is backed up torque estimated at 1,800Nm.
The result is that this four-wheel-drive van, built to highlight the possibilities of electric power, can surge from a standstill to 62mph in just two seconds, before going on to reach 200mph.
The running gear has been significantly upgraded, with double-wishbone suspension at each corner, and motorsport-grade front and rear subframes, uprights and brakes, ensuring the Supervam takes the corners every bit as well as it does high-speed runs.
Power is nothing without control, so the ability to fine-tune the Superbvan is essential. An electronics package fitted to the Electric Supervan includes traction control, launch control and a pit-lane speed limiter. The driver can also make use of an E-Boost button that allows access to a temporary power and torque boost, freeing up all of the van’s power.
Different driving modes also adjust the van’s dynamics, providing a different set of benefits depending on the circumstances. Drift and Rally modes are intended for different motorsport disciplines but, frankly, are for showing off. Track mode optimises the van for high-speed tarmac with corners and heavy braking, while Drag mode opens the plugs and provides peak power for straight-line performance.
Ahead of a run up the famous Goodwood hill, a tyre cleaning mode was activated. This holds the van by braking one axle, while unleashing the power to the other to create an impressive smoky burnout, before swapping axles and doing it all again. This cleans the tyre surface of any debris and warms the rubber to provide improved traction.
And, just in case you ever need to take the Supervan into the city, the Road mode limits power, turns the van into a front-wheel-drive model, and engages a regenerative braking system to recover energy lost during braking.
Ford Pro Design
Designing something like the Ford Pro Electric Supervan is a team effort, with Ford Performance, electrified rally and racing specialists STARD in Austria, and the Ford Design team in Cologne all working in secret on the project.
Ford Motorsport’s influence is clear; intricate aerodynamic additions are dotted around the van, from the low front splitter and side skirts to the rear diffuser that wouldn’t look out of place on a Le Mans racer. The rear cargo area has been cut away, leaving a dorsal fin that channels air onto the rear wing, increasing downforce and pushing the tyres onto the tarmac to extract more grip. The outlandish wheel arch extensions and distinctive livery finish off the aesthetic, helping to create the ultimate expression of the Transit Custom.
Being a Transit Custom, at least in spirit, means it needs to carry a load. Fortunately, Ford’s designers have included a side door to access a bijou load area, but don’t expect it to match the road-going models for load volume or payload capacity.
Ford Pro Connectivity
Ford Performance trackside engineers constantly monitor live data from the Supervan, in much the same way that Ford Pro does with regular models. Dedicated management software translates that live data into insights on speed, lap times and vehicle systems, which is something you can’t get on a normal Transit Custom.
More than simply a high-speed demonstration vehicle, the Supervan also operates as a working high-speed science experiment. By placing the van in a scenario that places unusual demands on the vehicle and users, Ford is able to develop electric vehicle engineering and connectivity that will improve its future models.
Right now, businesses can use the Ford Pro service to track the health and security of their fleet, preemptively being alerted to problems. The proactive service can prevent unscheduled downtime, saving business both time and money; Ford estimates that losing the use of a van for a day costs around £600.
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