Just under eight months – that’s all the Audi Sport and Audi Design teams had to transform the Audi S1 e-tron Hoonitron from concept to reality, ready for its electrifying debut with Ken Block. This rapid development culminated in the release of Electrikhana, a film that has captivated millions, showcasing the S1 Hoonitron’s breathtaking drifts through the vibrant streets of Las Vegas, masterfully piloted by Block.
Now, we delve into the fascinating facts and figures behind this groundbreaking Audi race car, offering an unprecedented look at its engineering and capabilities.
Perfectly Poised: Weight Distribution and Dimensions
The Audi S1 e-tron Hoonitron achieves near-perfect equilibrium with a weight distribution of 52:48 between the front and rear axles. This balance is crucial for predictable handling and control during high-performance maneuvers.
Contributing to its remarkable agility is a wheelbase of under 2.4 meters. To put this in perspective, it’s significantly shorter than the Audi A1 Sportback’s 2,563 millimeters, Audi’s compact entry-level model. This reduced wheelbase enhances the car’s yaw moment – its rotation around its vertical axis – a key factor for executing the spectacular drifts seen in Electrikhana.
Designed to conquer extreme conditions, the suspension features McPherson struts on both front and rear axles, providing over 200 millimeters of spring travel. This robust setup allows the S1 Hoonitron to handle everything from smooth tarmac to aggressive jumps, ensuring consistent performance across diverse terrains.
This foundational design philosophy equips the Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron with the quintessential traits for drifting and performing stunts on a variety of surfaces.
Electric Muscle: Dual Motor Power Source
The Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron boasts a fully electric all-wheel drivetrain. Power is delivered via two motor-generator units (MGUs) – one for the front axle and one for the rear – components derived directly from motorsport engineering.
Each MGU, remarkably compact at just 55 kilograms including the transmission, contributes to the vehicle’s optimized weight distribution and responsiveness.
The drivetrain is energized by four high-voltage batteries, borrowed from standard Audi PHEV models. Each battery pack offers a 14.4 kWh capacity, culminating in a total of 57.6 kWh operating at a potent 800 volts. This advanced battery system provides the necessary energy for sustained high-performance driving and demanding stunts.
Athlete of Performance: Torque and Horsepower Unleashed
The electric power distribution between the front and rear axles is completely adaptable, allowing for precise adjustments to driver preferences and fine-tuning of self-steering characteristics. This level of control is paramount for executing complex drift maneuvers and ensuring optimal vehicle behavior in various stunt scenarios.
Each MGU delivers a formidable 250 kW of power and 320 Nm of torque. Combined, this results in a total system output of 500 kW (670 horsepower) and a staggering 640 Nm of torque.
Given that the electric motors can reach peak speeds of 28,000 rpm, engineers implemented a gear ratio of approximately 12:1 specifically for drifting scenarios. Accounting for drivetrain losses, this translates to an astounding 3,000 Nm of torque at each axle, or a combined 6,000 Nm of total torque.
These extreme torque figures are the key to Ken Block’s ability to perform the breathtaking drifts and achieve wheel speeds exceeding 200 km/h seen in Electrikhana.
The Audi S1 e-tron Hoonitron stands as a unique creation in Audi’s extensive motorsport history, combining cutting-edge electric technology with bespoke engineering for a singular, high-performance purpose. Its array of features and capabilities are specifically tailored to push the boundaries of electric vehicle performance in the most visually spectacular way.
Video: Behind the scenes of Electrikhana and the Audi S1 Hoonitron
Footage: The development of the Audi S1 Hoonitron
