Ken Block Smokes Sin City In Custom Audi S1 Hoonitron EV As Gymkhana Goes Electric

The new 'Electrikhana' video is the first time that the guy dubbed 'Kenny From The Block' by James May has let loose in an electric vehicle in his iconic Gymkhana series.

In Electrikhana, Block traverses around Las Vegas, mostly sideways and enveloped in tyre smoke, as he shows off the various sights and sounds of Sin City in his one-of-a-kind Audi S1 Hoonitron, while also saying 'Hi' to various race cars from Audi's racing history.

The bespoke Audi S1 Hoonitron was built by Audi Sport for the sole purpose of being the world's first all-electric Gymkhana car. The S1 Hoonitron is powered by two electric motors from Formula E that deliver a claimed 3,000Nm of torque at each axle thanks to the 800V electric architecture used.

To deal with all that instant torque and help it drift, Audi has fitted the Hoonitron with a carbon differential. Pulling the handbrake on the Hoonitron disengages the rear motor which allows Block to really pull of some crazy slides at some crazy speeds (some at excess of 120 miles/hour).

The guys at Hoonigan usually run through 40 tyres when filming a Gymkhana video. In Electrikhana, the Audi S1 Hoonitron destroyed 100 custom Toyo R888 tyres. The wheels are inspired by the ones that the Audi S1 E2 sport quattro raced on.

To ensure that the Hoonitron did not run out of charge during the shoot, Audi also installed four battery packs from the Q7 SUV. The interiors of the S1 Hoonitron feature what Block calls the hardest seating position to get used due to the way his heels sit higher than his rear end ala like a 'F1' car.

The body of the Hoonitron is made using mostly carbon and kevlar carbon. The roll cage is FIA spec despite the fact that the car is never expected to go racing while the chassis also makes use of the lightweight stuff.

Thoughts About Electrikhana And Ken Block's Hoonitron

Electrikhana is the first outing for Ken Block's Audi S1 Hoonitron which despite not having an internal combustion is quite noisy while shredding tyres and smoking the roads of Las Vegas. The first outing of the Hoonitron in Electrikhana was a smoky shred session in Sin City and we can't wait for the next time it goes sideways.