Visually, there is nothing left of the previous Ford Transit, you can only guess.
But first a brief overview. The new SuperVan uses the chassis of the Ford E-Transit Custom, which will be launched in the second half of 2023. Thanks to the extended wheelbase, there is room for a water-cooled 50 kWh battery that supplies four electric motors with a total of 2000 hp. On the other hand, they shoot the two-tonner from 0 to 100 km / h in less than two seconds and further to the far north of the 300. Slicks, brakes and chassis from racing try to stand up to the performance.
Optics: The transit can only be guessed at
Despite all the economy to keep the weight low, the SuperVan is equipped with a large display.
Opening the feather-light carbon doors reveals the FIA-compatible racing bucket seats and roller cage. The only part of the series is the huge 15-inch infotainment system, on which driving and vehicle data, battery status and more can be monitored in the SuperVan. The driving modes can also be set here, and a burnout and start control function can be activated.
Trip: The acceleration is breathtaking in the truest sense
On this cue, I squeeze myself into a racing overall and put on my helmet. A role as co-driver is advertised, but that’s a good thing. First, I will not run the disposable copy for the lump one day until it should be able to prove it in front of an audience at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Secondly, my pilot is named Romain Dumas, a two-time LeMans winner, record holder at Goodwood, etc. So strap on and pray. “Are you ready?” asks Romain. “Yeah,” I cheat briefly and am anything but prepared for what SuperVan is about to do.
In fact, there can be no question of acceleration. Accompanied by deafening screams and the buzz, the device throws itself forward. This is how it should feel to be hit in the back by a 42 ton truck. My stomach, which was just wrapped around my spine, slams against the stomach wall the next moment as I brake.
Curves are no less impressive. Absolutely insane as the device adheres to the asphalt at the airport, where colleagues from Top Gear usually test. But there is another way. After a few nice apex turns, Romain begins to drift wildly across the airfield. What a sight! A few more burnouts and the demonstration will be over.
Asked how the SuperVan is doing behind the wheel, Romain says: “It’s good, the car is pretty fast. It’s really fun and gives good feedback.” Proof that Ford has done more than just a marketing gimmick and put a really skilled racing machine on the wheels. I look around again, checking my internal organs for proper alignment and wondering how such a Transit Nugget camper would fare like a SuperVan.