The Top Gear TV show may be over, but the tamed race driver – a masked, faceless hot shoe known only as “The Stig” – is still going… and his latest adventure involves driving a 1,400-horsepower electric Ford SuperVan around the famous Top Gear. Gear test track. Sideways.
Whether we’re talking record lap times at hallowed motorsport venues like Bathurst or the Hillclimb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, we’ve been covering the 1,400bhp SuperVan project for some time – but the big, boxy Transit-ish racing van fitted with a supercar – just doesn’t seem to perform. Performance is never boring.
In this video from the official Top Gear YouTube channel (is Top Gear just a YouTube show, now?) Ford’s boxy race car appears to have gained an additional 600 horsepower in its latest “4.2” iteration, for a total of 2,000 horsepower. . For his part(?), Stig is running all those horses in what appears to be a serious attempt to get the overall track record.
I won’t spoil the outcome for you, but suffice it to say that even the most hysterical anti-EV fanatics would have to admit that the SuperVan is a very fast machine.
SuperVan 4.2: How fast can a 2,000 horsepower van go?
(Spoilers ahead) Even with 2,000 horsepower, instant torque, and over 4,000 lb-ft. Due to its aerodynamic downforce, the SuperVan was unable to overcome the long-standing first and second places held by the Renault R24 (a legitimate Formula 1 race car) and the Lotus T125 Exos (a track-only special car that certainly looks like a legitimate Formula 1 race car), But after crossing the line in a time of 1:05.3, Ford was third on the overall leaderboard.
That third place will likely be a permanent place on the Top Gear leaderboard as well – as the track itself will likely be demolished somewhat sooner rather than later.
You can check out the video (above) and watch the entire clip for yourself, or just skip to the eight-minute mark to watch the tire-shredding side action promised in the main title. If you do, let us know what you think of Ford’s fast “truck” in the comments.
Source | Photos: Top Gear.
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