Ford Pro is putting an electric stamp on the Supervan nameplate to demonstrate what’s possible with a bit of engineering creativity. The Ford Pro Electric Supervan started its life as an E-Transit Custom but looks much more like a race car in its current form. And it should, considering it accelerates from zero-to-60 mph in less than two seconds thanks to four electric motors and a liquid-cooled 50-kWh battery. Naturally, don’t expect this 1,500-kW Electric Supervan to be a production model, but oftentimes vehicles like this is how automakers develop production-ready technology.
The latest project from Ford Pro, the Electric Supervan is actually a collaborative project that combines experts from Ford Performance, Austria’s STARD (electric racing specialists), and Ford’s design team in Cologne, Germany. Although the American automaker didn’t disclose details on the battery and the motors being used on this Supervan, Ford did say liquid cooling of the battery and a customized drive management system were essential for delivering absurd acceleration speeds.
In addition to being a showpiece and a conversation starter at shows around the world, the Electric Supervan is also designed to emphasize enhanced connectivity and cargo capability. The prototype is able to send real-time data to software for remote vehicle management, taking advantage of Ford Pro systems that real businesses currently use. This technology also allows Ford Performance engineers to monitor the Electric Supervan through dedicated management software, getting live data on speed, lap times, and vehicle systems.
The Ford Pro Electric Supervan joins three previous Supervans that were traditional ICE vehicles. The first-ever Supervan was unveiled in 1971 and used a Ford GT40 chassis and a Transit body. That Supervan was powered by a V8 engine with around 400 horsepower and a top speed of 150 mph, which is naturally impressive for the early 70s. The second Supervan wasn’t introduced until 1984, using a fiberglass replica of the Transit body while riding on a Ford C100 Group C race car chassis. Powered by a Cosworth DFL engine, that van clocked in a speed of 174 mph.
The most recent Supervan prior to the Electric Supervan was rolled out in 1994 but was actually just based on the second Supervan. Designed to promote that generation’s Transit, a new body was fitted along with a new Cosworth HB engine. A decade later, Ford decided to give that Supervan an update, fitting it with a Ford-Cosworth Pro Sports 3000 V6 engine and giving it an iconic blue and white livery from the 1984 Ford Motorsport team.
