Scalextric New Announcement

The Ford Transit Supervan

Historical Background

The Ford Supervan is one of the most outrageous and enduring creations ever to blur the line between commercial vehicle and motorsport machine. Developed by Ford UK as a promotional tool, each Supervan combined the familiar silhouette of the Ford Transit with the chassis and performance of a full-blooded racing car, creating a spectacle that has fascinated enthusiasts for decades.

The original Supervan debuted in 1971 at Brands Hatch. Despite its humble appearance, it was anything but ordinary. Beneath the standard Mk1 Transit body sat a modified racing spaceframe, powered by a mid-mounted Ford V8 producing around 400 horsepower. Capable of roughly 150 mph, it stunned audiences with its speed, even if its tall body created aerodynamic instability at higher velocities.

As the Transit evolved, so too did the Supervan concept. In 1984, Supervan 2 was introduced to promote the second-generation Transit. This version used a fibreglass body and a chassis derived from a Group C racing car, paired with a Cosworth DFL engine. It was significantly more advanced aerodynamically and recorded speeds of up to 174 mph during testing, reinforcing the Supervan’s reputation as a true racing machine in disguise.

A decade later, Supervan 3 arrived in 1994, created by rebuilding Supervan 2 to reflect the updated Transit design. Featuring a reduced-scale body and a Cosworth HB engine, it enjoyed the longest active life of the series, appearing at events until 2001. Over time, it wore several liveries, including a distinctive Royal Mail red scheme to celebrate a major fleet contract.

After years out of the spotlight, the concept returned in spectacular fashion with the all-electric SuperVan 4, unveiled at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Developed with modern performance partners, it featured four electric motors producing around 1,400 kW and could accelerate from 0–62 mph in under two seconds. The evolution continued with the SuperVan 4.2 in 2023, a purpose-built hill climb machine producing up to 1,500 kW. Driven by Romain Dumas, it achieved major success at events such as the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and Goodwood, proving the concept remains as relevant as ever.

For enthusiasts, the appeal of the Supervan lies in its sheer contradiction. It looks like a workhorse van, yet performs like a prototype racer. That dual identity makes it a perfect subject for slot car modelling, offering bold liveries, dramatic proportions, and a story rooted in showmanship and engineering creativity. From V8-powered track demonstrations to cutting-edge electric hill climb victories, the Ford Supervan stands as a unique icon of automotive imagination.

The Model

This extremely detailed model is being produced to the same high standards Scalextric are known for and will feature expertly applied livery and sponsorship markings, lighting and a detailed chassis. Scalextric have announced that this model will be appearing in their fleet in around September.

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