Audi Electric Racer Set For Monterey Car Week Debut

Electric Hooning Machine

Volkswagen Group and especially Audi have placed heavy emphasis on building an electrified future. But a nameplate with such a rich history is always served best taking inspiration from its past to build the future. That's exactly what Audi has done by designing the humorously named Audi S1 e-Tron quattro Hoonitron, a hillclimb-ready all-electric racer.

Source: Audi

Drawing Inspiration

Set for a world debut at the prestigious Monterey Car Week in California, the electric S1 concept is a showcase of Audi's past, present, and future. The nod to the legendary 1985 Audi Sport quattro S1 is all but obvious. The source of inspiration should come naturally, with the old Group B rally racer being a record-setting success for the German make in its day. The Hoonitron moniker also references the World-renown rally driver and performer of the highly-entertaining Gymkhana series, Ken Block.

Electric Vs. Gas

The classic S1 is famous for its 750-horsepower turbocharged internal combustion plant and its boxy, geometric lines. While the new S1 e-Tron takes after the bulky shapes, it generates power from electricity rather than fossil fuels. The Hoonitron prototype was developed at Audi Sport's facility in Neckarsulm with quite a quick turnaround. 

Concept to Prototype

The one-month project included manufacturing the carbon fiber structure and a number of regulatory FIA-mandated features. Dual electric motors are employed to power this prototype, which also features Audi's famous four-wheel drive system. Ken Block has had a vested interest in this project as well, having been involved since the early stages of the process.

Headed for Laguna Seca

The electric racer will be in fabulous company at Laguna Seca. The Rolex Motorsport Reunion will serve as a celebration of a century of Le Mans racers, dating all the way back to the wild machines of the 1920s. The S1 e-Tron is set to take center stage at the Audi paddock when it's unveiled to the public for the first time.

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