In a surprise move, Ford has announced its latest creation – a secret version of the F-150 Lightning geared up to tackle the iconic Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. During the 2024 racing season kickoff event in Charlotte, Ford CEO Jim Farley unveiled this mysterious "EV demonstrator," leaving enthusiasts eager to uncover the details of this high-performance variant. While the exact specifications remain shrouded in secrecy, it's clear that this isn't your typical F-150 Lightning available at the local dealership.
Ford teased enthusiasts with a single image on social media, revealing a low and wide vehicle shrouded in covers. The teaser prominently featured a wild wing at the back, reminiscent of the electric SuperVan's aerodynamic design. Without Ford explicitly stating it's an F-150 Lightning, speculations might lead to thoughts of an advanced SuperVan iteration. However, Ford has confirmed that this performance beast is indeed a truck, showcasing the brand's commitment to pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle (EV) capabilities.
Introduced earlier in the year, the Lightning Switchgear prototype provides a glimpse into the potential capabilities of Ford's electric truck lineup. The one-off prototype, with minor adjustments to suspension and tires, is designed to navigate both paved corners and off-road terrains with equal prowess. This flexibility is achieved through a single prototype, offering versatility that allows it to seamlessly transition between roles.
Ford's secret F-150 Lightning, poised to conquer Pikes Peak, is an exciting testament to the brand's innovative spirit. As the automotive industry continues to embrace electrification, Ford's foray into high-performance electric trucks signals a thrilling era for enthusiasts. While specific details about the Lightning's Pikes Peak challenger remain under wraps, one thing is certain – Ford is ready to redefine expectations and showcase the true potential of electric trucks on one of the world's most challenging racing terrains. The countdown to the Pikes Peak climb begins, leaving automotive enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the reveal of this electrifying secret.
Wael is an automotive content writer specializes in creating written content for Motor 283. Producing a wide range of content, including blog posts, articles, product descriptions, reviews, and technical guides related to cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles, with an unprecedented passion for cars, and motorcycles.
Formula E and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) have today revealed the next generation of race car, the new all-electric GEN3 Evo, capable of 0-60mph in 1.82s.
Leveraging a roster of innovative technical upgrades, the GEN3 Evo unveiled at H.S.H Prince Albert II’s Private Car Collection will debut in Season 11 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship where some of the world’s greatest manufacturers and drivers race wheel-to-wheel in iconic locations around the globe.
Developed by specialists from Formula E and the FIA, the latest GEN3 Evo edition marks a significant leap in electric racing technology, with acceleration 0-60mph 30% faster than a current F1 car, and 36% faster than the GEN3 car.
Capable of accelerating nearly a full second faster than its predecessor – the GEN3 – that was the world’s first race car designed for street racing, it sets an even higher standard in performance, sustainability, and efficiency. The GEN3 Evo serves as a formidable ambassador for the future of motorsport, embodying cutting-edge advancements and a commitment to environmental responsibility.
On Saturday, April 27th, Abu Dhabi will host a groundbreaking event, welcoming 10,000 spectators to witness the inaugural ASPIRE Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) at the iconic Yas Marina Circuit. This brand-new autonomous racing competition marks a significant milestone in motorsport history, billed as the largest league of its kind globally.
Eight teams will compete: Code19 Racing (one of the first independent autonomous racing entity from the USA), Constructor University (based in Germany and Switzerland), Fly Eagle (representing Beijing Institute of Technology from China and Khalifa University from the UAE), HUMDA Lab (a member of the Széchenyi István University Group from Hungary), KINETIZ (a collaboration between Singapore Nanyang Technological University and Kintsugi based in the UAE), PoliMOVE (representing Politecnico di Milano from Italy), UNIMORE (also from Italy - University of Modena and Reggio Emilia), and Technical University of Munich - TUM (from Germany), vying for a substantial prize purse of US$ 2.25 million.
Aston Martin’s new Vantage GT3 continues its hunt for glory in the world’s two most prestigious endurance racing series, as the FIA World Endurance Championship [WEC] and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship [IMSA] resume this weekend.
The WEC begins its European leg on Sunday with the 6 Hours of Imola (ITA), and an inaugural visit to one of the continent’s best-known circuits, before heading to Spa-Francorchamps (BEL) on 11 May, and then the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 15-16 June. Meanwhile IMSA heads to the world famous Long Beach street track for its first sprint race (100 minutes) of the season. A second-place finish in the brand-new LMGT3 class for the Heart of Racing (HoR), and third for D’station Racing, made Aston Martin the only one of the nine GT manufacturers present to score a WEC double podium finish at the season-opening 1812km of Qatar in March. It means both teams arrive in Italy in strong form.
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