CARS OF THE WORLD

Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron.

Ken Block’s new car is the electric Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron.

American racing driver Ken Block plans to use an electric car in the new episode of «Jimhana» — it will be a special Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron, built by Audi Sport division especially for the TV show.

This electric sports car has nothing in common with the Audi S1 hot hatch and is a kind of reincarnation of the racing Audi Sport quattro S1.

In 1987, the latter won the race to climb Pikes Peak, which is in the U.S. state of Colorado.

The factory pilot Walter Rerl was at the wheel of the car at that time.

The exterior of the two-door for Ken Block was designed by the in-house design team under the direction of Mark Lichte.

Curiously, the development and approval of the appearance of the model they took only four weeks.

The mentioned 1987 bolide is reminded here by large antifenders, set in front and behind. Another reference is big air intakes behind the doors.

In general, the Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron is made in the modern design of the German brand.

It has a fairly short wheelbase and large overhangs. The developers do not distribute about the technical features of the project, but it is known that the car is built on the basis of a carbon fiber chassis.

It has all-wheel drive with two electric motors.

Probably, the «stuffing» was taken from Audi RS e-tron GT where the total efficiency of units reaches 646 hp.

At the same time two-door can boast of a full set of racing safety systems, due to what meets all the requirements of the FIA.

It is reported that Ken Block has already managed to drift on the car, but shooting the new episode involving this Audi has not yet started.

The showman promises to release it in the next few months.

The name Hoonitron is apparently derived from a combination of the name of Block’s racing team Hoonigan Racing and the prefix e-tron, associated with electric cars «four rings».

«Audi has always had a huge influence on me with its innovations. In the ’80s, the brand dominated one of my favorite sporting events, the World Rally Championship, and that really inspired me,» Block said. — Thanks to the Four Rings’ success in the Pikes Peak «race for the clouds,» the brand finally made history with S1. Even today, I’m at a loss for words when I watch videos of Walter Röhrl climbing the mountain back then. I think it’s really impressive that Audi has kept the spirit of this legendary car and its design alive today.»

The company and Block don’t reveal the car’s detailed specs, although it is mentioned that it has two electric motors (one in the front, one in the rear).

The successor to the Audi Sport quattro S1 has a carbon fiber chassis and developed aerodynamic surfaces. And the traction is such that, according to Block, just by pressing the gas pedal, he was able to immediately start «spinning bagels» at 150 km/h.

Ken is known both for his participation in races and his Gymkhana series of videos in which he performs spectacular stunts on cars.

At the same time, Block repeatedly addressed the theme of progress. Working with Ford, for example, he featured an electronic driftstick and a 3D-printed intake manifold.

Block calls electrification the next step. «Having been involved in the development of some of the advances, I’m looking forward to continuing this process and seeing how far we can go,» said the racer.

The design was taken over by Audi Sport in Neckarsulm, and the design was given to the Audi Design team in Ingolstadt under the direction of Mark Lichte.