Ken Block’s New Rally Car Will Surprise You

Ken Block, the world-famous race car driver and drift master, is currently going through a transition. After passing the Gymkhana torch to his good friend Travis Pastrana, he ended his association with Ford earlier this year and became a free agent.

No more modified Focuses, Escorts and Mustangs. But you will never guess what car he’s now getting himself into. Raise your hand if you said a Skoda Fabia R5+!

Skoda? That’s right. Few people are familiar with this Volkswagen-owned Czech car company since it doesn’t have a foothold in North America. However, its subcompact hatchback caught the attention of Block, who will use it to take part in the 100 Acre Wood Rally in Salem, Missouri this weekend. Block is a seven-time winner there, by the way.

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Une publication partagée par Ken Block (@kblock43)

The R5 is a rally version of the Fabia developed by Skoda Motorsport and competing in the European Rally Championship and World Rally Championshi-2 since 2015, enjoying quite a bit of success along the way. In fact, it’s the most successful rally car ever in the R5 category.

Photo: Ken Block

Other than qualifying for the American Rally Association's O4WD class for open-class four-wheel-drive vehicles, the specifications of Ken Block’s Fabia R5+ are not yet known, unfortunately. And since the ARA doesn’t follow FIA regulations, various modifications to the mechanical and aerodynamic components can be made. A turbo inlet restrictor is mandated, though, so power and torque figures are probably not as high as you can imagine.

At the 100 Acre Wood Rally, Block will go head-to-head with none other than Travis Pastrana, who will be driving his sensational Subaru WRX STI. Win or lose, it will be interesting to see if Block decides to team up with Skoda for the long haul.

Watch: The 2018 Ford Focus RS with Ken Block!

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