Ford SuperTruck F150 Lightning and SuperVan Smash The Ring
Blue Oval Prototypes Take on the World’s Toughest Track
Ford has always loved making headlines at the Nurburgring, and now the Blue Oval has claimed bragging rights with a pair of wild prototypes. We’re not the biggest vans of EVs here at Car Junkie, but when Ford builds an prototype truck that outruns their own GTD Mustang, we take notice. The Ford SuperTruck and SuperVan 4.2 recently turned laps at the legendary German track, laying down times that make them the fastest truck and van ever to lap the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
Taking Aim at the Corvette ZR1X and Mustang GTD
Not long ago, the spotlight was on Chevrolet when the new Corvette ZR1X became the fastest American production car at the Nurburgring, clocking a 6:49.275 and unseating the Ford Mustang GTD’s 6:52.072 lap. GM’s achievement even drew congratulations from Ford CEO Jim Farley. But the Blue Oval has now fired back in dramatic fashion—though in a different category.
The Lightning SuperTruck recorded a blistering 6:43.482, while the SuperVan 4.2 managed 6:48.2. Both times are quicker than the Corvette ZR1X and Mustang GTD, but because these vehicles are classified as prototypes rather than production cars, they don’t alter the official rankings. Even so, the Lightning SuperTruck earned fifth place among all prototypes, while the SuperVan grabbed seventh.
Prototype Power: 2,200 HP Truck, 2,000 HP Van
So what exactly are these record-smashers? Both vehicles are all-electric prototypes, built with extreme performance in mind. The Ford Lightning SuperTruck harnesses 2,200 horsepower, while the SuperVan 4.2 isn’t far behind at 2,000 hp. Each runs on racing-slick tires and features radical aero packages designed to generate massive downforce.
Ford notes that these projects are more than just publicity stunts. The company says they’re testbeds for new technology that will eventually filter down to production EVs and race programs. As Ford puts it, “the track teaches you things a conference room never could,” making the Nurburgring the perfect proving ground.
The Road Ahead for Ford EVs
While the Ford SuperTruck and SuperVan are proving what’s possible on the extreme end of performance, Ford’s next generation of production full-size electric trucks and vans won’t arrive until 2028. The company recently delayed the successors to the F-150 Lightning and E-Transit to focus resources on more affordable EVs, built on the new Universal platform.
Until then, the record-breaking prototypes show that Ford’s engineers are still pushing EV performance boundaries while preparing for a new wave of production electric vehicles.
