In November 2022, Ken Block and the Hoonigan team headed to Mexico City to film the next installment of the Electrikhana series with the Audi S1 Hoonitron.
Just over one month later, the devastating loss of Ken Block meant that the project was delayed. On Dec. 6, the Hoonigan YouTube channel posted “Electrikhana TWO: The Mexico City Sessions.”
“Block, the Hoonigans and Audi continue pushing the limits of what’s possible in the performance EV world with ‘Electrikhana TWO,’ sliding through iconic areas of Mexico City in Block’s infamously aggressive, rally-inspired driving style. Improving the car immediately after the first film, Block and Audi built on important development lessons from their experience in Las Vegas,” the company noted in a press release announcing the video.
The all-electric Audi S1 Hoonitron has seen a range of performance improvements, with the Audi Sport engineering team working with Block to modify the drivetrain to better serve his aggressive-yet-precise style of driving in the Gymkhana films, officials stated.
Among the improvements is the “simulated gears” feature, giving the car “a sort of digital gearbox by programming multiple levels of wheel speed on the electric motors, controlled with a paddle shifter.”
Allowing for more controlled slides and precise donuts, officials said it was a major development over the car’s form in the previous “Electrikhana” film, where a small jab of the throttle meant a jump from 15 mph to over 120 mph of wheel speed instantly.
Additionally, Block wanted to explore all-new driving features made possible with an EV drivetrain: such as opposite-driven wheels for a standing AWD burnout, instant switching from all-wheel to rear-wheel drive, “differential” tuning to influence chassis balance, as well as the ability to shift into reverse at any speed.
Each of the features are put to the test in the new film.
Shot in and around Mexico City, Block launches the Hoonitron out of the world’s largest bullring: Plaza de Toros. From there, it’s an all-access trip through iconic areas of the city, with tricks around the Museo Soumaya, a big clincher moment with a slide past JUCA (one of Mexico’s biggest automotive content creators) and ending with a session in and around the Benito Juárez International Airport.
It’s capped off with a nostalgic Gymkhana tribute throughout the credits.
