Ford’s Super Mustang Mach-E: A 6,125-Pound Downforce Beast Charging Toward Pikes Peak Glory

 There’s something poetic about electric silence screaming up a mountain at breakneck speeds, wheels clawing for traction on a winding strip of tarmac carved into the Rockies. In that ballet of torque and tarmac, Ford has decided it’s time to leave a mark. After sending its outrageous SuperVan and Lightning SuperTruck up Pikes Peak in recent years—each more bonkers than the last—the Blue Oval is back with perhaps its most emotionally charged entry yet: the Super Mustang Mach-E. More than a marketing exercise or a flashy prototype, this EV monster is a striking signal of intent. And what an intent it is. With a ridiculous 6,125 pounds of downforce and the mountain-taming prowess of legendary driver Romain Dumas at the wheel, the Super Mustang Mach-E is a silent assassin dressed like a crossover and built like a missile. As the 102nd running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb approaches on June 22, 2025, anticipation for this electric juggernaut has never been higher.

From Van to Truck to Mustang: The Evolution of Ford’s Pikes Peak Assault

Ford’s recent history with Pikes Peak is surprisingly consistent—and consistently daring. In 2023, Ford unveiled the SuperVan 4.2, a tube-frame electric monster wearing the skin of a humble delivery van, which absolutely annihilated its class and set a benchmark for absurd EV track builds. In 2024, the SuperTruck followed, packing more than 1,600 horsepower and 6,000 pounds of downforce into a wild-bodied F-150 Lightning, again piloted by Romain Dumas, who took the King of the Mountain crown with a blistering 8:53.553 run. These two vehicles weren’t just science experiments—they were statements. They proved that EVs, with the right development and wild-enough imagination, could dominate one of the world’s most challenging motorsport events. For 2025, Ford isn’t just continuing this trend—it’s elevating it with something far more emotionally resonant to the public: the Mustang nameplate.

The Super Mustang Mach-E: A Weapon of Aerodynamic War

Let’s start with the basics, or rather, the bonkers. The Super Mustang Mach-E generates 6,125 pounds of downforce—yes, more than the SuperTruck and more than even many race-spec GT3 cars. Downforce is everything at Pikes Peak, where thinner air at high altitudes severely limits grip and engine power. With elevation climbing to 14,115 feet at the summit, the mountain shows no mercy to the unprepared. Ford's Super Mustang Mach-E is built to grip, bite, and hold on as if its life depends on it—because in motorsport terms, it does. Visually, the car is outrageous. At the rear, a massive wing soars over a deeply sculpted diffuser, with the familiar Mustang Mach-E tri-bar taillights nestled in between. The body proportions are warped in the best possible way—flatter, wider, meaner. The front splitter juts out aggressively, working in harmony with flared fenders and a redesigned nose that pushes the car closer to the ground than any production Mach-E ever dared. Every surface appears engineered for slicing through thin air or redirecting turbulent flow. If you squint, you can still see the bones of the original crossover, but the rest is a Frankenstein’s monster of function-over-form race design.

The Powertrain Mystery: Speculation Based on Proven Madness

Ford has yet to disclose the exact powertrain setup of the Super Mustang Mach-E, but clues from the previous two demonstrators point to a likely recipe: three electric motors supplied by STARD (Stohl Advanced Research and Development), the same Austrian firm that helped power the SuperVan and SuperTruck to glory. The SuperVan was rated at 1,400 horsepower, while the SuperTruck cranked that number up to somewhere north of 1,600 hp. It’s not unreasonable to assume the Super Mach-E splits the difference or even eclipses both, depending on thermal capacity and energy delivery systems. What’s remarkable is that the performance of these vehicles isn’t just about horsepower. The Volkswagen ID.R, which still holds the all-time Pikes Peak record (7:57.148 in 2018, also driven by Dumas), only made about 680 hp but weighed a mere 2,500 pounds. Ford hasn’t revealed the Super Mach-E’s weight yet, but based on the platform and hardware, it’s likely heavier than the ID.R. That means the Super Mustang has to make up the difference through torque, downforce, and corner exit acceleration—a game plan well suited to electric motors.

The Dumas Factor: Ford’s Secret Weapon for Mountain Conquest

Romain Dumas is to Pikes Peak what Tom Brady is to the Super Bowl. The Frenchman is a bona fide hill climb legend, with victories in everything from prototype race cars to outrageous EVs. He’s the record holder at Pikes Peak and has proven that he knows every inch of the 12.42-mile course better than almost anyone alive. His involvement in Ford’s electric demonstrator program for three years running isn’t just about optics—it’s about dominance. Behind the wheel of the SuperVan, he blew minds. In the SuperTruck, he became King of the Mountain. Now, with the most Mustang-ish demonstrator yet, he’s positioned to potentially rewrite history again. Whether the Super Mach-E can break his previous Ford times—or even challenge the all-time record—remains to be seen. But with Dumas at the helm, Ford’s odds have never been better.

Technical Insights: More Than Just Power and Wings

Though technical specs are scarce, several assumptions can be made based on past builds and visible cues. The Super Mach-E is almost certainly running on a purpose-built tube-frame chassis with a composite body shell inspired by the production Mach-E silhouette. The extreme aerodynamic pieces likely integrate active elements, such as DRS (drag reduction systems) or automatically adjusting flaps, which are vital for optimizing grip without overly compromising top speed. Cooling is always a concern for EVs on long high-load events like Pikes Peak. The SuperVan and SuperTruck featured extensive ducting, radiators, and battery thermal management systems. The Super Mach-E will likely build upon those learnings with more efficient battery pre-conditioning, high-voltage inverter technology, and better regenerative braking to minimize heat and energy loss. Expect a bespoke suspension system as well—likely double-wishbone independent setups with adjustable dampers and slick hill-climb-spec tires that can warm up quickly in the brisk mountain air.

Is This a Mustang Preview? The Mach 4 Mystery

One of the more tantalizing implications of the Super Mustang Mach-E’s debut is what it might signal for the future of the Mustang brand. Earlier this year, Ford filed a trademark for the name “Mach 4”—a move that has the rumor mill buzzing. Could we see a four-door electric Mustang in the future? The Super Mach-E’s slightly altered roofline and door proportions have led some to speculate that this demonstrator may be hiding more than just a racecar under its bodywork. Could it also be a development mule, a preview of a new performance-oriented EV platform? While Ford is staying tight-lipped for now, it wouldn’t be surprising if this project did double duty—winning races while laying the foundation for the next generation of Mustang EVs. It’s worth noting that Ford has reportedly shown dealers renderings of future Mustang variants, suggesting there’s serious internal discussion about expanding the pony car portfolio beyond just coupes and convertibles. Whether the Mach 4 becomes a reality or not, the Super Mach-E’s dramatic design and electrifying specs make one thing clear: Ford is deeply invested in exploring how far the Mustang ethos can evolve without losing its soul.

Chasing the ID.R: The Benchmark for EV Hill Climbs

No conversation about Pikes Peak and electric vehicles is complete without mentioning the Volkswagen ID.R. When it set the all-time record in 2018, it proved that electric cars could not only compete with gas-powered rivals—they could crush them. That record run was surgical, with Dumas driving a car engineered to perfection: lightweight, aerodynamic, and tuned to take advantage of electric torque in the thin mountain air. Ford’s challenge in 2025 is not just to win—it’s to beat that record. That means more than horsepower or aero—it means managing weight, optimizing traction, and nailing every corner apex for 12.4 unforgiving miles. To even get close, the Super Mustang Mach-E will need to improve on the 8:47.682 time Dumas posted with the SuperVan. That’s a tall order, especially if weight remains an issue. But with 6,125 pounds of downforce on its side and a seasoned driver, the Super Mach-E might just be Ford’s best shot yet.

More Than Marketing: What This Means for EV Performance Development

While many manufacturers use Pikes Peak as a branding exercise, Ford’s repeated forays into the event with increasingly refined demonstrator vehicles show something deeper. Each vehicle is not only faster but more advanced. The SuperVan taught Ford lessons about EV aerodynamics. The SuperTruck refined power delivery and torque vectoring. Now, the Super Mustang Mach-E blends the learnings of both into a road-inspired package, closer to something a customer might recognize—even if just in silhouette. It’s not just about winning a race—it’s about building a future. A future where electric Fords aren’t just efficient—they’re dominant, emotional, and proudly carrying the Mustang name.

Looking Ahead: The Countdown to June 22

With just weeks to go before the 2025 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, excitement around Ford’s Super Mustang Mach-E is reaching a fever pitch. The car will face not only the mountain and gravity, but time itself—a battle to beat its own stablemates and the ghost of the ID.R. Whether it wins or not, the fact that Ford is investing this much energy, design, and innovation into its EV performance program is a thrilling sign of where things are headed. Expect more details in the days to come—especially power figures, weight, and drivetrain specifics. But even with what we already know, it’s clear the Super Mustang Mach-E is a thunderbolt in the making. When it launches off the start line at 9,390 feet on June 22, it won’t just be racing up a mountain. It’ll be chasing history.