Electric Audi S1 Hoonitron stars in Las Vegas ‘drift’ film
Audi’s electric S1 Hoonitron prototype has taken centre stage in a new film starring US drift artist Ken Block.
When US drift artist Ken Block releases his long-awaited Electrikhana video today, the Audi S1 Hoonitron will be featured as one of the principal performers. Developed and assembled at Audi Sport in Neckarsulm, the all-electric prototype that was styled by Audi Design taking cues from an Audi icon thrills viewers.
A drift along the famous Eiffel Tower, a spectacular jump from the parking deck of a neighbouring hotel, or donuts on the legendary strip in front of spectating Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen: Ken Block, the Audi S1 Hoonitron, and other models from Audi Tradition’s collection of treasures made a splash during the night-time film shoot in Las Vegas. The US star in the Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron electrified the gambler’s paradise in Nevada’s desert for several days. Now Ken Block has released the cinematic product.
“With the S1 Hoonitron we broke entirely new ground at Audi,” said Oliver Hoffmann, Member of the Board for Technical Development at AUDI AG. “Developing a fully electric prototype for the unique requirements of our partner Ken Block was a big and exciting challenge to which the whole team rose with flying colours. It is great to see how ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ is presented in an all-new environment.”
The Audi S1 Hoonitron has two electric motors, all-wheel drive, power galore, a carbon fibre chassis, and fully complies with the safety standards of the FIA, motorsport’s governing body. Audi Sport developed it as a one-of-a-kind car exclusively for Ken Block. Its body shell, for which Audi Design led by Marc Lichte is responsible, immediately evokes memories of the legendary Audi Sport quattro S1 with which the four rings charged to the top in the famous Pikes Peak hill-climb race. Ken Block and his team engaged in close exchange with the Audi departments during the development of the vehicle.
Alongside the S1 Hoonitron, the Electrikhana film features brief guest appearances by other models from Audi Tradition, such as the Audi 90 IMSA GTO (1989), the Audi 200 Trans Am (1988), the Audi Sport quattro S1 Pikes Peak (1987), the Audi quattro Gruppe B A2 (1984) as well as the Audi R8 LMP and Audi R18 e-tron quattro from Le Mans. Apropos Le Mans: Tom Kristensen, the record winner of the iconic endurance race with nine triumphs under his belt, makes a brief guest appearance at a red traffic light as well.
