By Thom Kingston on 2024-01-18T09:00:25-07:00 | King of the Hammers

We just received this fresh press release from Team RTR, another big drop just before King of the Hammers. No shortage of excitement around here! Let’s dive right in.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, JANUARY 17 2024 – Vaughn and RTR Vehicles are excited to be starting 2024 off with the excitement of the all-new Switchgear! Designed and built by RTR Vehicles and Ford Performance the Switchgear was inspired by the Ford F-150 Lightning, America’s best-selling electric truck, and the F-150 RTR Ultimate Fun-Haver from 2016.

“I’m pumped to be able to work with the very passionate teams at Ford for a second time developing a first of its kind EV vehicle built for fun!” said Vaughn. “Based on Ford’s F-150 all-electric Lightning the Switchgear showcases the on- and off-road capabilities possible through electrification. I’m very surprised at how much I am enjoying experiencing and pushing electric vehicles just as we do our ICE creations, exciting and very fun times!”

Debuting in its off-road configuration the Switchgear is named for its ability to be setup for both on- and off-road fun! In its current setup the Switchgear is running FOX 3.0 with remote reservoir – 6 in. stroke, 37-inch Nitto Ridge Grapplers and RTR Tech 6 forged aluminum alloy with bead-lock ring. When converted to its on-road setup the Nitto Ridge Grapplers are replaced by NT420V 305/55R20 on RTR Tech 6 flow-formed aluminum alloy wheels and the weight distribution to a 50/50 split from the 49/51 in favor of the rear when setup for off-road. Additionally, the ride height will vary from 7-inches in the front and 5-inches in the rear to 13.5-inches in the front to 11-inches in the rear for on-road and off-road, respectively. In both configurations the Switchgear is running five RECARO Sportster ORV seats.

The Switchgear is the second Ford Performance Demonstrator vehicle built in collaboration with RTR along with the Mustang Mach-E 1400. The duo are now part of Ford Performance’s extensive stable of all-electric vehicles including the Supervan 4.0 and 4.2, CobraJet 1400 and 1800 and the F100 Eluminator.

You can see the Switchgear in person and in action in a few weeks at this year’s King of the Hammers in Johnson Valley, CA.