11 reasons why we love Ken Block's 1,400 HP Hoonicorn V2

By Carter Jung
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I first saw her in an aging warehouse on the east side of downtown Los Angeles. A raven-skinned beauty, her skin glistened under diffused sunlight seeping in from a row of windows. She didn’t have to move to make her presence known, standing on the worn concrete was enough. Her breathy voice first caught my attention, and her curves kept it there. She was wearing a chain. A familiar face saddled up to her. Alas, she belonged to another. Under his coaxing, she,the Hoonicorn, roared to life, spinning not just her rear tires in ultra slow-mo, but her front ones as well, glorious smoke billowing out from all four wheel wells. It was love at first sight, Mustang purists be damned. That was her in Gymkhana 7, nearly three years ago. Now, after a rigorous fitness regimen to get ready to tackle the 14,115-foot elevation of Pikes Peak for Climbkhana, she’s back and lovelier than ever. Here are 11 reasons why Ken Block’s Hoonicorn V2 holds our collective heart.
Ken Block’s all-wheel-drive 1965 Ford Mustang rebuilt for Climbkhana

I first saw her in an aging warehouse on the east side of downtown Los Angeles. A raven-skinned beauty, her skin glistened under diffused sunlight seeping in from a row of windows. She didn’t have to move to make her presence known, standing on the worn concrete was enough. Her breathy voice first caught my attention, and her curves kept it there. She was wearing a chain.

A familiar face saddled up to her. Alas, she belonged to another. Under his coaxing, she,the Hoonicorn, roared to life, spinning not just her rear tires in ultra slow-mo, but her front ones as well, glorious smoke billowing out from all four wheel wells. It was love at first sight, Mustang purists be damned. That was her in Gymkhana 7, nearly three years ago. Now, after a rigorous fitness regimen to get ready to tackle the 14,115-foot elevation of Pikes Peak for Climbkhana, she’s back and lovelier than ever. Here are 11 reasons why Ken Block’s Hoonicorn V2 holds our collective heart.

Hoonigan Media Machine
The Hoonicorn started as a 1965 Mustang notchback. Ken Block purposefully avoided the more popular fastback design, a decision that better matches the unorthodox powertrain. Why build what everyone else has built?
1. It’s not what you’d expect

The Hoonicorn started as a 1965 Mustang notchback. Ken Block purposefully avoided the more popular fastback design, a decision that better matches the unorthodox powertrain. Why build what everyone else has built?

Hoonigan Media Machine
Ken Block with Hoonicorn V2
2. It has pedigree builders

The Hoonicorn was originally worked on by RTR, Formula Drift Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s tuning shop dedicated to modifying Mustangs. The build strategy resulted in a tubular-frame chassis that’s been seam-welded and reinforced. The body panels are all carbon fiber and designed in conjunction with Ken Block and the Hoonigan team.

Hoonigan Media Machine
In its original form, the Hoonicorn relied on a naturally aspirated 6.7-liter Roush Yates V8 engine that produced 845 hp, plenty enough to rip through the streets of Los Angeles. The Hoonicorn V2 produces 1,400 hp, an increase of more than 65 percent.
3. It’s way more powerful than the old one

In its original form, the Hoonicorn relied on a naturally aspirated 6.7-liter Roush Yates V8 engine that produced 845 hp, plenty enough to rip through the streets of Los Angeles. The Hoonicorn V2 produces 1,400 hp, an increase of more than 65 percent.

Hoonigan Media Machine
The 1,400 hp figure wasn’t just to make an impressive spec sheet. It was necessary to compensate for the loss of power from the low-denisty air at Pikes Peak's 14,000-foot elevation. In order to hit 1,400, two Garrett GTX3584RS turbochargers were bolted up to the Roush V8, and the Motec M150 ECU was retuned.
4. It was purpose-built for Pikes Peak’s high altitude

The 1,400 hp figure wasn’t just to make an impressive spec sheet. It was necessary to compensate for the loss of power from the low-denisty air at Pikes Peak’s 14,000-foot elevation. In order to hit 1,400, two Garrett GTX3584RS turbochargers were bolted up to the Roush V8, and the Motec M150 ECU was retuned.

Hoonigan Media Machine
The Hoonicorn V2 is the most powerful car Ken Block has ever driven. His ride in World Rallycross, the Ford Focus RS RX, made 600 horsepower, less than half that of the Hoonicorn V2.
5. It’s even powerful for Block

The Hoonicorn V2 is the most powerful car Ken Block has ever driven. His ride in World Rallycross, the Ford Focus RS RX, made 600 horsepower, less than half that of the Hoonicorn V2.

Hoonigan Media Machine
For fuel, the buffed Hoonicorn runs methanol due to its ability to keep temperatures low. Despite its two turbos, the ’65 Mustang does not require the use of any intercoolers. Wonder why Ken Block is wearing a mask? It’s because the fumes from methanol are toxic, burning eyes and lungs. If that isn’t frightening enough, methanol fires are nearly invisible in sunlight, as the flames are colorless and produce no smoke.
6. It’s actually a little dangerous

For fuel, the buffed Hoonicorn runs methanol due to its ability to keep temperatures low. Despite its two turbos, the ’65 Mustang does not require the use of any intercoolers. Wonder why Ken Block is wearing a mask? It’s because the fumes from methanol are toxic, burning eyes and lungs. If that isn’t frightening enough, methanol fires are nearly invisible in sunlight, as the flames are colorless and produce no smoke.

Hoonigan Media Machine
It took two years to build the original Hoonicorn. It took an additional three months to massage it into its current form.
7. V2 came together quickly

It took two years to build the original Hoonicorn. It took an additional three months to massage it into its current form.

Hoonigan Media Machine
The original first-gen Mustang shared the coil spring front and leaf spring rear suspension out of a Ford Falcon. The Hoonicorn Mustang employs pushrod suspension shared in Formula 1 race cars.
8. It has some fancy suspension

The original first-gen Mustang shared the coil spring front and leaf spring rear suspension out of a Ford Falcon. The Hoonicorn Mustang employs pushrod suspension shared in Formula 1 race cars.

Hoonigan Media Machine
To put down four tire patches during its launches, the Hoonicorn uses a Dakar Rally-spec all-wheel-drive transmission from Sadev, a French company. The 18 x 10.5-inch Fifteen52 R40 wheels are shod with Toyo R888R tires using a special compound developed specifically for Ken Block and Climbkhana.
9. It’s specially designed to destroy special tires

To put down four tire patches during its launches, the Hoonicorn uses a Dakar Rally-spec all-wheel-drive transmission from Sadev, a French company. The 18 x 10.5-inch Fifteen52 R40 wheels are shod with Toyo R888R tires using a special compound developed specifically for Ken Block and Climbkhana.

Hoonigan Media Machine
The handbrake on the Hoonicorn opens the center clutch pack to allow the rear wheels to be locked up without stalling the motor, important for hooning.
10. It has a hoon’s handbrake

The handbrake on the Hoonicorn opens the center clutch pack to allow the rear wheels to be locked up without stalling the motor, important for hooning.

Hoonigan Media Machine
There is a Hoonicorn V3 in the works. Heart be still.
11. It’s one part of a trilogy

There is a Hoonicorn V3 in the works. Heart be still.

Hoonigan Media Machine