Audi lifts the veil on the S1 Hoonitron, an electric car specially designed for American driver Ken Block. She will be the main actress in her next video “Elektrikhana”. The creation marks a first step in this new collaboration.
Last September, Audi formalized its collaboration with Ken Block for an electrifying Gymkhana. After weeks of waiting, the time has come for the Ingolstadt firm to present the one that will be the star of the next video tentatively called “Elektrikhana”: the S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron. A 100% electric model specially designed for the famous American pilot.
All the cars Ken Block used in his blockbusters were prepared by his team or by specialists, including the M-Sport team. The S1 Hoonitron is the first directly created by an automobile manufacturer.
Inspired by the Sport quattro S1
The Hoonitron is a modern reinterpretation of the legendary Audi Sport quattro S1 which notably took part in the Pikes Peak race. It takes on the characteristic features of the hill climb monster of the 1980s. ” I think it’s cool that the designers at Audi took inspiration from their own past and uniquely transferred the technologies and the look of the car to the present. », Explains Ken Block.
TO READ. Pikes Peak. The most incredible hill climb in pictures
Express development
All development and tuning was carried out at Audi Sport headquarters in Neckarsulm, Germany. This is the same place where the RS e-tron GT is produced. The newcomer moreover shares its technology with the latter. As a reminder, the RS e-tron GT is powered by two electric motors developing a cumulative power of 598 hp for 830 Nm of torque. The brand with rings has communicated little on the technical specifics of its new creation. We just know that she receives “ two electric motors, all-wheel drive, power to spare, a carbon fiber chassis and all the safety standards prescribed by the FIA “. For details on performance and power, we’ll come back!
The design of the car was accelerated and took only four weeks instead of a year. All the designers participated in the project and a drawing was selected. Ken Block was able to test his new mount for a few days and obviously burned some rubber.
A new love story
After 11 years with Ford, Ken Block is making a new start with Audi. He had always dreamed of it. ” The collaboration with Audi is a very special partnership for me. The brand and its passion for motorsport motivated me to start rallying », He says. ” The Audi S1 Hoonitron is writing the next chapter in our history and taking our Gymkhana saga into the future “. We can bet that this new orientation pleases the public as much. Ken Block’s videos have totaled several million views on Youtube.
TO READ. Audi RS Q e-tron (2022). The Dakar prototype presented
