Electrified Evolution: Ford’s 1,421-HP Super Mustang Mach-E Takes On Pikes Peak 2025
Ford’s electrification journey has been anything but subtle. With a history steeped in internal combustion, the Blue Oval has redefined its identity in recent years with a performance-focused assault on EV racing—and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has become a proving ground for that vision. In 2023, the radical SuperVan 4.2 EV nearly won the event. In 2024, Ford triumphed outright with the monstrous F-150 Lightning SuperTruck. Now, in 2025, the automaker returns with something that merges brand heritage and electric innovation—the Super Mustang Mach-E, a 1,421-horsepower prototype built exclusively for the clouds. While the Mach-E name typically evokes images of a family-friendly crossover, this version is a snarling, wide-bodied beast tuned for only one purpose: obliterating the 12.42-mile, 156-turn climb from 9,390 feet to 14,115 feet with electric fury. It’s lighter, more aerodynamic, and more potent than anything Ford has ever brought to the mountain. This isn’t just a car—it’s a statement. Ford aims to show the world that electric vehicles aren’t just capable; they’re dominant. And if the previous years are any indication, this Mach-E could very well become a legend in motorsport’s most extreme climb.
Heart of a Thunderstorm: A Powertrain That Redefines Brute Force
At the core of this electric demon lies a tri-motor powertrain that redefines the limits of what a performance EV can deliver. Producing a jaw-dropping 1,421 horsepower, this Mustang Mach-E actually surpasses the power figures of both the SuperTruck and SuperVan, each of which previously boasted 1,400 hp. These three motors—tuned to deliver instantaneous torque—are fed by a purpose-built 50.0-kWh battery pack. Unlike consumer-grade EVs, which prioritize range and efficiency, this battery is optimized for sprinting—delivering savage bursts of energy over the brief but brutal 10-minute climb to Pikes Peak’s summit. The system operates at a furious 799 volts, ensuring rapid power delivery and minimal energy loss. What makes this even more impressive is the 260-pound weight reduction in the powertrain compared to last year’s SuperTruck setup. This isn’t just a minor revision—it’s a mechanical reinvention. Engineers have meticulously crafted this propulsion unit for extreme elevation, where oxygen is scarce and combustion engines struggle. For an EV, thinner air means less aerodynamic drag but also requires advanced thermal management. Ford’s solution is a carefully engineered cooling system and electronic brain capable of managing brutal load under tight, technical conditions. The result? An electric race car ready to make history above the clouds.
The Science of Stopping: Regenerative Braking and Carbon Muscle
One of the most overlooked yet crucial aspects of EV racing is the braking system—not just for slowing down, but for reclaiming energy. Ford’s engineers have dialed the regenerative braking capacity of this Super Mustang Mach-E to an astonishing 710 kilowatts, a figure that would make even Formula E teams take notice. This means that every time Romain Dumas lifts off the accelerator or dives into a corner, the car is actively harvesting electricity and sending it back to the battery pack, helping maintain optimal charge levels during the short but demanding Pikes Peak run. But regen isn’t enough on its own. For moments when mechanical stopping power is needed—especially on steep declines or tight switchbacks—the car is equipped with massive carbon-ceramic brakes, engineered to endure the searing heat generated during aggressive hillclimb runs. These brakes provide predictable, fade-free performance even under repeated punishment. Together, the regenerative and friction braking systems form a seamless dual-layer safety net, allowing Dumas to manage the car’s energy profile lap-by-lap, corner-by-corner. This is not just energy efficiency—it’s performance-enhancing integration. Without it, managing the nearly one-and-a-half tons of electric fury would be impossible. With it, the Mustang becomes a calculated weapon, perfectly suited for precision mountain warfare.
Glued to the Asphalt: Aerodynamics Born in Turbulence
Aerodynamics can make or break a hillclimb car. At Pikes Peak, where grip is fleeting and weather conditions change in minutes, stability and downforce are paramount. Ford’s latest aero package on the Super Mustang Mach-E is a masterclass in computational fluid dynamics and real-world wind tunnel tuning. The headline figure is staggering: 6,900 pounds of downforce at 150 mph, rising to a ludicrous 12,000 pounds at 200 mph. That exceeds the downforce levels of most modern GT3 race cars and even eclipses Ford’s previous high-downforce builds. The SuperTruck maxed out at 6,000 pounds; the SuperVan, 4,400. This new Mach-E is operating in an entirely different aerodynamic stratosphere. Its aggressive design features a towering rear wing, ultra-deep front splitter, ventilated fenders, side-channel airflow ducts, and a flat underbody—all working in concert to plant the car onto the tarmac like a heat-seeking missile. Even though speeds on Pikes Peak rarely crest above 140 mph, the aero system ensures maximum grip in the critical 60–120 mph range where most corners happen. With forged magnesium wheels wrapped in custom Pirelli P-Zero slicks, the car uses every molecule of pressure to hug the mountain’s precarious ledges. In this game of inches, aerodynamics isn’t just about speed—it’s about survival.
A Master Behind the Wheel: Romain Dumas Returns for Glory
When you have one of the most powerful EVs on the planet and a course that eats cars for breakfast, there’s only one man for the job—Romain Dumas. A Pikes Peak veteran and record-holder, Dumas is no stranger to electric mountain warfare. He piloted the Volkswagen ID.R to a blistering all-time record of 7:57.148 in 2018, a mark that still stands today. In 2023 and 2024, he guided Ford’s SuperVan and SuperTruck to podium finishes, including a victory last year. In 2025, he returns for his tenth Pikes Peak campaign, this time at the helm of what he calls a “different beast.” His familiarity with the course’s nuances—changing elevation, inconsistent tarmac, temperature fluctuations—is unmatched. And in a vehicle as experimental as the Super Mustang Mach-E, driver feedback is critical. Dumas's ability to extract performance from radical machines under extreme conditions is a large part of why Ford trusts him as their Pikes Peak general. His synergy with Ford Performance engineers ensures the car evolves not just from wind tunnel data, but from real-world racing insights. With Dumas in the cockpit, this isn’t just a high-tech science project—it’s a weapon wielded by a master, honed for the singular goal of conquering the summit once more.
Engineering for the Edge: Lightweight Philosophy Meets Brutal Power
The Super Mustang Mach-E isn’t just powerful—it’s lean. Ford has taken an obsessive approach to weight reduction for its 2025 Pikes Peak contender. Every component, from the motors to the body panels to the chassis wiring, has been analyzed, optimized, and in many cases, entirely reengineered to shave off precious pounds. The result is a vehicle that is 260 pounds lighter than its predecessor, despite adding more downforce, a higher-capacity cooling system, and triple-motor complexity. Much of this magic comes down to materials science. Carbon fiber bodywork, titanium fasteners, and magnesium alloy wheels all contribute to a featherweight form that doesn’t sacrifice strength or durability. The interior is a stripped-down cockpit of function-over-form minimalism, with a single carbon racing bucket, digital telemetry display, and FIA-spec roll cage. This isn’t a concept car built for SEMA. It’s a mountain assault vehicle, optimized for one event, one mission, and one record. Even the battery placement has been revised to drop the center of gravity lower and move weight distribution rearward for better rotation in tight hairpins. This holistic approach to weight savings ensures that every kilowatt, every corner, and every second counts. It’s not just about speed—it’s about physics, and Ford is engineering on the bleeding edge.
Climbing to Immortality: The Stakes at Pikes Peak 2025
The 2025 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, taking place on June 22, is more than just a racing event. It’s a crucible. For over a century, it has challenged both man and machine, and in the modern era, it has become ground zero for EV innovation. The Mustang Mach-E’s arrival signifies not only Ford’s commitment to racing but also its broader mission to reshape how the world views electric performance. With combustion engines gasping for breath in the thin mountain air, EVs have emerged as the new kings of the hill. Instant torque, simplified drivetrains, and freedom from atmospheric limitations give electric cars a distinct advantage—and Ford is intent on pressing that edge to the absolute limit. Should the Super Mustang Mach-E win, it will cement the model name as more than a family EV—it will become a motorsport icon. For Ford, this isn’t just about Pikes Peak; it’s about brand transformation. It’s about redefining the Mustang name for a generation raised on watts instead of cubic inches. And with Romain Dumas behind the wheel and engineering excellence under the skin, Ford isn’t just racing up the mountain—it’s aiming to carve its legacy into the clouds themselves.
