Ford unveils wildest ute yet

The blue oval has revealed its challenger for the 2024 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

Move over SuperVan, the SuperTruck has arrived.

Ford has released the first look at its 2024 Pikes Peak entry and it’s somehow even wilder than the 2000hp E-Transit Custom it ran up ‘America’s Mountain’ in 2023. The F-150 Lightning SuperTruck EV demonstrator, to give it its official name, is a purpose-built prototype designed specifically to get to the top of Pikes Peak as quickly as possible.

Ford has given us all the details yet, but it’s likely to be packing at least 2000hp and we do know it generates more than 2700kg of downforce at 240km/h, which should keep it planted to the road as it climbs the mountain to more than 4000m above sea level.

French ace, and current Pikes Peak Hill Climb record holder, Romain Dumas will once again be responsible for driving the Ford entry, having driven the SuperVan in 2023. The 2024 running of the hill climb is scheduled for June 23 and Ford has begun testing the SuperTruck in Colorado this week.

It’s not just for fun though, Ford says it will use the experience from the Pikes Peak run to help

software calibration and battery cell chemistry for future electric production cars and future racing cars.

Ford confirms Finke return

The Ford Ranger Raptor will defend its 2023 Finke Desert Race class win

As well as taking on Pikes Peak, Ford will also return to the Australian outback to defend its class win in the 2024 Tatts Finke Desert Race.

Once again the company will fly in American off-road legend Brad Lovell and his son and co-driver, Byam, to drive the Production 4WD class Ranger Raptor on the run from Alice Springs to Finke and back.

While remaining in production class specification, Ford Performance has made some key upgrades and is relying on Walkinshaw Performance for logistical and event support.

“The Finke Desert Race is truly unique, with a challenging combination of high speeds and seriously massive whoops,” Lovell Sr said. “I’m looking forward to facing off against a stronger field of competitors this year and showing what the Ranger Raptor is capable of.”