The Fastest Pick-up in the World
It should come as no surprise that the fastest pick-up in the world comes from Ford – the company that makes and sells the most pick-ups on the planet. Actually Ford (and many journalists too )has been saying that is SVT F-150 Lightning is the fastest pick-up in production but no independent body has verified the claim.
Now it’s officially confirmed by Guinness World Records which recently certified the Ford pick-up after it clocked 147 mph (235.2 km/h) at the Ford Michigan Proving Grounds test facility’s 8-km-mile-long, high-speed oval circuit.
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For the record, Guinness required the truck to be production level, meaning it is identical to what a customer can find at his local Ford dealer. Speeds must be measured over a kilometre, and the record speed is derived from an average of speeds in both directions.
To meet the vehicle requirements, Ford SVT (Special Vehicle Team) used a standard 2003 SVT F-150 Lightning. Exterior modifications were limited to folding in the side mirrors, and removing the radio antenna. At the circuit, timing lights were set up seven-tenths of a mile apart (as certified by an independent surveyor). A Hot Lap In-Car Timer, was used to measure elapsed time through the measured 0.7 mile. Elapsed time was then converted to miles per hour.
Clockwise, the fastest elapsed time was 17.03 seconds, or 147.974 mph. Counter-clockwise, the fastest elapsed time was 17.09 seconds, or 147.454 mph. The average of those two runs is 147.714 mph (236.3 km/h)
The supercharged petrol-engined SVT F-150 Lightning was introduced in 1999, with 264.7 kW/360 bhp and 596.6 Nm of torque. Since then, engine modifications have improved performance, bringing output up to 279 kW/380 bhp and 610 Nm of torque. The latest version can rocket from 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds.
