Ford Racing has announced a significant shift in its approach to technical demonstratorssignaling a departure from its previous all-electric focus. This change comes as the company continues to innovate and explore new avenues in vehicle development, building on its successful history of creating high-performance prototypes.
The decision to broaden the scope of its demonstrator program was revealed by Mark Rushbrookthe head of Ford Racing. Speaking with AutocarRushbrook emphasized that while electric vehicles remain a key part of Ford’s future, the company is now open to incorporating other powertrain technologies into its demonstrator projects.
Expanding the demonstrator lineup
The program, which began before the Covid-19 pandemicinitially aimed to showcase the excitement and potential of electric vehicles. Notable creations from this initiative include the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400the Mustang Mach-E NASCAR and Pikes Peak racers, the F-150 Lightning SuperTruckthe Mustang Cobra Jet 2200several SuperVansand the F-150 Lightning Switchgear.
Rushbrook stated, “We’ll continue to do Demonstrators, but we’re not going to restrict ourselves to full electric. We still have a lot of electric cars in our future, but we also have a lot of hybrids coming, and we also have a lot of combustion vehicles coming. So we’ll do more demonstrators, but you will see more powertrain technology in them, not just full-electric.”
Learning from Red Bull’s F1 team
Ford Racing’s collaboration with Red Bull’s Formula 1 team has provided valuable insights into advanced hybrid powertrains. This partnership is expected to influence the development of future demonstrators, combining Ford’s extensive experience with electric vehicles and its deep knowledge of high-performance engines.
The next generation of demonstrators may feature a blend of technologies, offering a unique opportunity to explore innovative solutions in vehicle design and performance. Rushbrook highlighted the flexibility and freedom that comes with creating one-off prototypes, allowing Ford to experiment with various vehicle types and configurations.
Why not Formula E?
Rushbrook explained that Ford chose to focus on creating its own demonstrators rather than competing in series like Formula E due to the added flexibility and freedom it provides. “We did not feel existing electric series were right for us. That’s not a knock on those series, but we wanted the ability to truly learn with a free canvas, and a series like Formula E does restrict you.”
With the demonstrator program, Ford can explore a wide range of vehicle types, from Transit vans to F-150 trucksand even Mustang coupes. This approach allows the company to push the boundaries of innovation and showcase its capabilities in a variety of contexts.
As Ford Racing continues to evolve its demonstrator program, enthusiasts can look forward to a diverse lineup of high-performance vehicles, each offering a unique glimpse into the future of automotive technology.
