AUDI

Ken Block ventures onto the ice with the RS Q e-tron

It was a very special exchange of cars: with Mattias Ekström in the co-driver's seat, Ken Block tested the Audi RS Q e-tron on snow and ice, which participated in the Dakar Rally with number 224. Entering the scene during the GP Ice Race in Zell am See (Austria) was the first appearance of the spectacular prototype after its successful debut in the mythical rally.

The Audi RS Q e-tron, with which Audi claimed four stage wins in the last Dakar Rally held in January, was just one of the stars on the icy Zell am See course. For this event Audi Tradition also moved the Audi quattro A2 Group B, which competed in the 1983 Rally Finland. In addition, a DKW F 91 and a DKW Hartmann Formula V caused a sensation.

For Ken Block, the weekend trip to Europe was like a visit to automobile paradise. “Laps in the Audi RS Q e-tron were an extraordinary experience, although the car is probably more comfortable in the desert than in the snow,” declared the American driver. “I want to thank Mattias Ekström for his patient explanations about all the special features of his car. A few minutes behind the wheel were enough to understand the fascination that produces the RS Q e-tron.”

Mattias Ekström was really impressed. “Ken only needed three laps to be at the maximum level,” explained the Swedish driver, who with his ninth place was Audi's highest-placed driver in the 2022 Dakar Rally. For Ekström, the test in Austria also served as preparation for his participation in the prestigious 'Race of Champions', which was later held in northern Sweden. Ekström had an excellent performance, reaching the semifinals, where he was beaten by Sébastian Loeb, the winner of the race.

In addition to testing the Audi RS Q e-tron, Ken Block also did a little time travel by taking the helm of the Audi quattro A2. For the American, who was passionate about Audi rally cars as a teenager, it was also something very special: “A dream moment that I will never forget”. There will be more episodes to remember soon: with the 100% electric-powered Audi S1 ​​e-tron quattro Hoonitron, inspired by the Audi Sport quattro S1 and developed exclusively for Ken Block, the Hoonigan team is producing a video titled 'Electrikhana' that will debut coming months and will be the last chapter of the famous 'Gymkhana' series.

Autonews