Ford Transit SuperVan 4.2 Clocks 6:48 at Nürburgring
The Ford Transit holds legendary status at the equally legendary Nürburgring. That status traces back to an episode of the TV show "Top Gear" with then-presenter Jeremy Clarkson and the now sadly departed ‘Ring specialist Sabine Schmitz.
For those yet to see it, the episode challenges Clarkson to lap a Jaguar S-Type around the ‘Ring in under ten minutes. Once he achieves it, Schmitz delivers the now infamous line, ‘I can go faster than that in a Ford Transit’, and the story evolves into one of the show’s most compelling challenges.
Since that day, pushing a Ford Transit to its limit around the ‘Ring has remained a long-held ambition within Ford Performance. The team finally brought together the right Transit, the correct driver and the right conditions to explore what might be possible.
The vehicle, the Ford Transit SuperVan 4.2, is a bespoke 2,000-horsepower electric SuperVan created to conquer the world’s great racetracks and events. SuperVan 4.2 already holds records at Bathurst and has won at Pikes Peak, yet one circuit stood out, the famed Green Hell.
The effort forms part of Ford Performance’s electric vehicle demonstrator programme, a core element of the broader racing portfolio. The programme gives engineers, designers and aerodynamicists a clean sheet and the freedom to dream big.
The team uses this platform to explore what lies beyond any rule book, then channels those lessons directly into race programmes and road vehicles. The approach already delivers results. Specific details remain confidential for competitive reasons, but forthcoming race programmes will benefit from vehicles like SuperVan 4.2.
In the hands of the remarkable Romain Dumas, SuperVan 4.2 posted an outstanding 6:48.393, the ninth-fastest timed lap ever completed at the Nürburgring. For context, the Transit SuperVan 4.2 lapped quicker than a Porsche 911 GT3 RS and the Chevrolet ZR1X. While this is a bespoke race car running slick tyres and producing 2,000 horsepower, it remains a rapid Transit.
Ford Performance celebrates this achievement while focusing on what comes next. More developments will follow, including from the F-150 Lightning SuperTruck that ran at the ‘Ring on the same day. The team also honours Sabine Schmitz and her role in this story. She will never be forgotten.