Two electric motors, four-wheel drive, plenty of power, a carbon-fibre chassis and all the safety standards prescribed by motorsport’s governing body. These are the main features of the Audi S1 Hoonitron, the all-electric rally car made by the German manufacturer for driver Ken Block.
The entire development, including the technology, of the S1 Hoonitron was conducted by Audi Sport at its Neckarsulm headquarters, while Audi Design in Ingolstadt was responsible for the styling, which was anything but ordinary work for Marc Lichte and his team. “When we first heard about this project, the entire team was immediately enthusiastic: we had the opportunity to develop a car that combined an icon of our brand with the future,” says Audi’s chief designer.
The challenges were enormous: “It was about creating a modern, all-electric interpretation of the S1 Pikes Peak. The timeframe was extremely tight: while our design process normally takes one to one and a half years, we had only four weeks from the first drawing to the final design. We were in constant contact with Ken Block and his team and engaged in intense exchanges,” concludes Lichte.
