Australian-first for Ford SuperVan at Bathurst 12 Hour

Ford is sending its E-Transit SuperVan 4.2 to Mount Panorama and the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour with a series of public demonstrations.

The all-electric demonstrator vehicle will be unleashed upon Australia’s most famous racing circuit with Romain Dumas at the wheel.

Dumas will tackle the Mountain in a series of runs during the build-up to Australia’s international GT3 enduro, the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour, on February 16-18.

It will also be on public display ahead of the 12 Hour and the 2024 Supercars season opener, the Thrifty Bathurst 500, the following weekend.

Mount Panorama is the latest stop on SuperVan 4.2’s global tour, with the track monster previously conquering the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb in the USA.

“SuperVan 4.2 will take on the challenge of Mount Panorama in the same configuration it raced in at Pikes Peak – as the ultimate expression of what is possible with electric performance and Ford’s EV technology,” Mark Rushbrook, Global Director Ford Performance Motorsports, said.

“Mount Panorama stands tall as the ultimate motorsport challenge in Australia, and we are excited to see SuperVan 4.2 attack its legendary twists and turns.”

The SuperVan 4.2 has 1400 horsepower delivered to all four wheels, and recently finished second outright and first in class at the legendary Pikes Peak hillclimb.

The Repco Bathurst 12 Hour will be the first appearance of any Ford SuperVan on Australian soil, marking a historic moment for the Blue Oval.

The very first, SuperVan 1, made its debut at Brands Hatch in the UK on Easter Monday in 1971.

Dumas added: “Driving SuperVan 4.2 is always a huge privilege and after the successful outing at Pikes Peak, I am delighted that the Ford Performance team keep finding new and exciting ways to push the envelope.

"For any racing driver, Bathurst is a unique and exhilarating challenge and I can’t wait to give the Australian fans a show they will hopefully never forget."