Ken Block is no more, but his legacy is still very present! Died at the beginning of 2023 in a snowmobile accident, the famous American racing driver had filmed a last video in Mexico in November 2022 before the tragic event. This video, named Electrikhana Twostars Ken Block and a Audi S1 electric specially prepared for the occasion.
An impressive film
The video takes viewers on a high-speed tour of some of the Mexican capital’s most iconic areas. Airport, bullfighting arena and tourist site, Ken Block makes sure to tour Mexico City without forgetting to melt a good quantity of tires.
During the film, the pilot encounters a heavily modified Volkswagen Beetle (known as “vocho” to locals). The latter shares the spotlight with the Audi S1 and performs equally impressive driving maneuvers. Obviously, Electrikhana Two’s production is impeccable, which makes, once again, this video legendary.
A new gearbox for the Audi S1
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the Audi S1 in action in a Ken Block film. Indeed, used in Gymkhana 11, another series of pilot films, the S1 has been transformed for the new event. The team of modifiers noticed, during its first lap in Las Vegas, that the Audi S1 was not efficient in terms of gearboxes.
Ken Block’s team, Hoonigan for short, therefore made several improvements to the car’s gearbox. Notably, the modifier installed a “simulated gears” feature that adds a digital gearbox to the car’s box by programming multiple levels of wheel speed control into the electric motors. It’s technical, but in short, Ken Block could have full control of the intensity sent to the wheels of the car thanks to two selection levers positioned behind the steering wheel.
Hoonigan adds that the massive force of the car made this system necessary. This gearbox gave Ken Block better control of the S1, especially when sliding, and allowed him to accelerate more precisely.
The box in question also contains some pretty interesting features which are demonstrated in the film, including the ability to perform a static “burn-out”, transfer power to the front and rear of the vehicle and engage the reverse, whatever the speed. Updated specs haven’t been released yet, but Ken Block’s original S1 produced 2,212 pound-feet of torque.
So this is the last video that features the famous racing driver. Ken Block’s legacy in the automotive landscape will nevertheless be timeless, especially as his daughter, Lia, and his wife, Lucy Block, continue to make the Block name shine throughout the world in automobile rallying.
