Buckle up, folks! We're diving into the electrifying world of Ken Block, the drifting legend, and his final hurrah in "Elecktrikhana Two."
Remember that name, Ken Block? The man who turned drifting and powerful cars into an art form? Despite the unfortunate snowmobile accident that claimed his life at 55, his team managed to pull off a surprise - a sequel to his electric car series, "Elektrikhana," aptly renamed to reflect the electrifying twist.
Set in the electrifying lights of Mexico City, "Elektrikhana Two" puts the spotlight on Block's converted Audi, the Hoonitron. The video description teases the epic maneuvers that ensue, set against the backdrop of cities, parking garages, airports, and tunnels. But that's not all - the soundtrack is replaced by the screeching sounds of electric motors and the tire's strained cries as Block takes them to their limit.
While it was unclear what lay beneath the hood of the Hoonitron, Block estimated its power to be between 2000 and 3000 hp. But it seems the numbers got lost in translation - the Hoonitron features twin motor-generator units, each pumping out 340 hp. Together, they generate a total of 680 hp, with a torque of 640 Newton meters and a maximum speed of 28,000 revolutions per minute.
So, how did Block manage to pull off those mind-blowing drifts and wheel speeds over 200 km/h? Well, thanks to this extreme torque, the Hoonitron is a drifting powerhouse, capable of switching seamlessly between all-wheel and rear-wheel drive, even spinning the front and rear wheels in opposite directions.
Spanning a good eight minutes, "Elektrikhana Two" isn't just a tribute to Block's incredible talent - it's a love letter to his fans, littered with clips from his past projects, fondly known as "Gymkhana." The video quickly racked up over 1.5 million views, showcasing the enduring appeal of this drifting maestro.
But, as the curtain falls on Ken Block's storied career, the Block name is not going anywhere - his daughter, Lia, is carrying on the family legacy, recently racing in the legendary Pikes Peak circuit with a converted Porsche 911.
So there you have it, folks! Gear up for a thrilling ride in the electrifying world of Ken Block.
Bonus Insights
- Did you know that Ken Block's company, Hoonigan, has partnered with Ford to design a special-edition Mustang modified for drifting? Appropriately named the Ford Fiesta Hoonitron, this electric muscle car redefines what a drift machine can be.
- Ken Block is also known for his Hoonigan YouTube channel, which features videos of his adventures, drifting competitions, and behind-the-scenes looks at his projects.
[1] https://www.motortrend.com/news/ken-block-audi-r8-electric-gymkhana-electrikhana/ [2] https://www.autoweek.com/news/wait-what-ken-blocks-new-gymkhanacar-audi-r8-electrifyingly-electric/ [3] https://www.motorsport.com/video/ken-blocks-electrifying-audi-r8-gymkhanacar-revealed/4914472/
