Audi reveals Ken Block’s new S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron electric car

Audi have released pictures of its one of a kind Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron that has been exclusively and uniquely developed for American drift artist and professional rally driver Ken Block.

Block, who is from the USA, first made a name for himself as a rally and rallycross driver. These days he’s more widely known for his elaborately produced videos where drives high-performance cars to the limit.

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The new all-electric car will be the protagonist in a new video that Block, who has been an Audi enthusiastic from a young age, is producing together with his team for release in the next few months.

Ken Block, professional rally driver, said: “The S1 Hoonitron combines a lot of what Audi was already famous for in the nineteen-eighties. For instance, the car’s spectacular aerodynamics have now been translated into a totally modern form.

“I think it’s cool that the Audi designers have been inspired by their own past and uniquely transferred the car’s technologies and appearance into the present.”

The Audi S1 e-tron quattro is a powerful dual-motor all-wheel-drive car that uses a carbon fibre chassis to keep weight down for maximum efficiency. This unique electric vehicle (EV) complies with the full safety standards as prescribed by motorsport’s top governing body, the FIA.

Block added: “Audi gave me the opportunity to test it for a few days in Germany. I’m familiar with a wide variety of cars using internal combustion engines and transmissions, but there were a lot of new things for me to learn here.

“Spinning into a doughnut at 93mph (150kph) directly from a standstill – just using my right foot – is an all-new experience for me. Our work was focused on getting the car and I used to each other. My thanks go to the whole Audi Sport squad for their outstanding teamwork.”

The entire development, including the technology of the S1 Hoonitron was conducted by Audi Sport at the Neckarsulm location. This is a perfect fit for the project because that’s also where the Audi RS e-tron GT is produced. Audi Design in Ingolstadt was responsible for the styling, which has been anything but a run-of-the-mill job for Marc Lichte and his team.

Marc Lichte, Audi chief designer, said: “When we first heard about this project, the whole team was thrilled immediately. We had the opportunity to develop a car that combines an icon of our brand with the future. It was about creating a modern, all-electric interpretation of the S1 Pikes Peak.

“The timeline was extremely tight. While our design process normally takes one to one-and-a-half years, we only had four weeks from the first drawing to the final design. We were constantly in touch with Ken Block and his team and engaged in intensive exchanges.”

Fans will soon be able to see the US star’s success with the project for themselves under the working title Elektrikhana. Block and his team are going to produce the next video of his famous Gymkhana series featuring the S1 Hoonitron.

Block continued: “The collaboration with Audi is a special partnership for me. With Audi developing this car for me and my team, and joining us in our next project, has made a dream come true. The Hoonitron is writing the next chapter in our history and taking our Gymkhana story into the future.”

Lichte concluded: “Knowing that we’re developing a car for a video with Ken Block that millions of people around the world are going to watch has provided our team with additional motivation.

“These new inspirations are also immensely important for our daily work. The development of this car will encourage us to approach future projects with an even more open and progressive mindset.”

Ian Osborne
Ian Osborne
Editor-in-Chief at ElectricDrives

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