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WATCH: Ken Block reveals new Audi Hoonitron, inspired by Sport Quattro Pikes Peak

The Head Hoonigan In Charge will be smoking all four rings with electric power

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YouTube sensation Ken Block has revealed his first bespoke electric vehicle since joining Audi, taking the covers off the S1 Hoonitron.

Its full name of Audi S1 E-Tron Quattro Hoonitron doesn't leave much to the imagination about what it was inspired by, with its title and design heavily influenced by the Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 Pikes Peak that Walter Röhrl took to victory in the 1987 edition of the iconic hillclimb.

As opposed to its spiritual predecessor, the S1 Hoonitron does away with any wild five-cylinder turbo engines, instead adopting an all-electric powertrain that is likely borrowed from Audi's Formula E machine and its Dakar Rally contender, the RS Q E-Tron.

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Block, who had previously partnered with Ford for over a decade, said it was Audi's rally monsters that left a lasting impression on him in his formative years, with the S1 Hoonitron allowing his journey to come full circle.

"The Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 Pikes Peak had such an influence on me growing up," Block said.

"Audi’s two wins on that mountain, as well as their success in the Group B era of the World Rally Championship, played a huge part in me being inspired to be a rally driver.

"And now, that incredible race car has been used as a design guideline on a new prototype E-Tron car that Audi has built me to drive in the next Gymkhana film.

"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."

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More accustomed to fire-breathing monsters such as the S1 Hoonicorn and his various other gymkhana vehicles, Block is getting used to the EV's one-pedal application as he applies his craft.

"Audi gave me the opportunity to test it for a few days in Germany," he said.

"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 donut at 150 km/h directly from 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."

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While the car was assembled at Audi Sport's base in Neckarsulm, head designer Marc Lichte and his team at Ingolstadt were responsible for the S1 Hoonitron's aggressive stance.

"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," said Lichte.

"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.

"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."

It's not yet known when Block's next gymkhana video – Elektrikhana – will drop, but it promises to add new flavour into his trusted recipe.

Jordan Mulach
Contributor

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