4,424 lb.-ft Electric Audi S1 E-tron Quattro Takes the Hoonigan Next Level
Ken Block’s Latest Hoonitron Smokes Out Vegas in ‘Electrikhana’ Gymkhana 11
Ken Block’s latest all-electric Gymkhana 11, AKA ‘Electrikhana’ video is a tire slaughtering burnt rubber cloud spewing electric all-wheel drive Hoonitron Audi S1 E-Tron odyssey through late night Las Vegas as much as it’d a drive through quattro history.
Hoonitron Inspired By Pikes Peak Audi sport ür quattro S1
Developed and built at Audi Sport in Neckarsulm, Block’s all-electric Hoonitron is Inspired by Walter Röhrl’s iconic 1980s Pikes Peak Hill Climb Audi sport ür quattro S1. It has a huge double-decker front spoiler, a monster rear wing, and wild, wide, flared arches.
The 4,424 lb.-ft Audi S1 E-tron quattro Hoonitron features 800-volt architecture. It has twin-Formula E electric motors powering all four wheels through carbon fiber differentials via a gear reduction system. And four battery packs for quick charging.
The car is built around a fully FIA world motorsport governing body safety compliant carbon fiber chassis. A Formula 1-style driving position means Block’s feet are above his butt in weirdest way Ken says he’s ever sat in a car.
Hoonitron Broke Entirely New Ground – Audi
Hoonitron proved a major challenge for Audi. “The S1 Hoonitron broke entirely new ground,” Technical Development boss Oliver Hoffmann pointed out. “Developing a fully electric prototype for Ken Block’s unique requirements was huge and exciting.
“Our team rose to the challenge to see Audi Vorsprung Durch Technik presented in a thrilling new light.” Audi chief designer Marc Lichte added, “The timeline was mad tight. “We had four weeks to complete a design normally that normally takes more than a year!”
Electrikhana cues with Block in full race attire seemingly stepping toward a rally ür quattro. But he turns as Hoonitron comes into view. Block hops in and in no time, he’s out wringing Hoonitron’s neck on Vegas’ deserted streets.
Donuts Down the Strip to Elvis’ Full Support
Spinning and running flat out backward under full forward power around center verges, Hoonitron soon hides in its own tire smoke. Ken drifts along Vegas’ own Eiffel Tower, yumps from a hotel parking deck and donuts down the strip to Elvis’ back-up.
Hoonitron finds several Audi legends en route. Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen (above) watches it smoke by from the sanctuary of his 24 Hour winning R18 e-tron quattro. You can’t miss the epic US racing 200 Trans Am and 90 IMSA GTO. Or Hoonitron’s inspiration Pikes Peak S1.
The Group B rally quattro A2 and the Le Mans R8 LMP also eerily appear as inhabitants of those deserted Vegas streets. Only a few people including old Elvis, some gamblers and a couple of late-night boxers punctuate that tire smoke through the eight-minute flick.
Hoonitron Takes the Hoonigan Next Level
Some may frown at the electric squealing rather than a growling, chirping Subaru or a roaring Ford V8. But there’s no denying that Ken Block’s tire smoke belching 4,424 lb.-ft Audi S1 E-tron quattro Hoonitron certainly takes the Hoonigan next level.
Images & Videos: Audi