Meet Ken Block’s new Gymkhana “Hoonigan” Escort

In Gymkhana 7, Ken Block, or better known as the tyre slayer, piloted a custom-built 1965 Ford Mustang dubbed the “Hoonicorn RTR” that sent 845 hp to all four wheels as he toured the city of Los Angeles, frequently going sideways and generating a lot of tyre smoke.

That was last year’s news. Now, Ken Block and Hoonigan Industries have created a new monster machine and this is it, the Gymkhana Escort, a car that holds a special place in Block’s heart, as it is his first rally car, purchased back in 2008.

Initially, the 1978 Ford Escort Mk2 RS was designed to compete in tarmac events but as those competitions become scarcer in the United States, Block passed the car on to his team at the Hoonigan Racing Division to extend its tarmac capabilities and develop it into the ultimate rear-wheel-drive Gymkhana car you see before you.

That’s right, this will be Block’s first-ever, rear-wheel drive Gymkhana machine and it comes packed with all the right mechanical parts beginning with a 2.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder Millington engine with 333 hp with a redline of 9,000 rpm. A six-speed sequential gearbox serves as the car’s transmission, directing power to the rear wheels.

To match the performance, the car received an update to its styling courtesy of famous Japanese widebody designers Rocket Bunny. The company’s founder, Kei Miura worked with Block and his team to create the world’s first Rocket Bunny Escort.

Inspiration for the design came from Block’s previous machines including Hoonigan Racing’s current RX43 and HFHV Fiestas, the Hoonicorn RTR and other well-known Rocket Bunny designs. Also fitted are custom, two-piece fifteen52 wheels wrapped in Pirelli tyres.

The Gymkhana Escort will compete in the Monster Energy Gymkhana GRID event albeit under the guidance of fellow Hoonigan driver Ryan Tuerck, as Ken Block will be occupied defending his AWD title in the Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR.

What do you think of Ken Block’s latest Hoonigan machine? A wonderful blast from the past? Before you give us your answer, watch the car in action here.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.