Ken Block's Ford Fiesta WRC

Over the years, Ken Block has treated us to a wide variety of high-octane racing action, having competed in plenty of racing disciplines that has earned him the title as one of the most versatile racers in the world today.

Having had experience with the WRC, Rallycross, and Gymkhana, Block has likewise driven plenty of race cars, each unique to its own depending on the where he is racing at a particular time.

But all that’s about to change with the introduction of the new Ford Fiesta RS WRC HFHV. If you don’t know, ’HFHV’ stands for ’Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle’, which pretty much explains what the car is all about. It’s a modified Ford Fiesta that has been tweaked and reconfigured in such a way that it fits right in on all three racing items Block competes in.

At the heart of this versatile machine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder Ford EcoBoost engine that produces 600 horsepower and 665 lb/ft of torque mated to a six-speed sequential manual gearbox. Anytime Block and his team need to change the specs of the car, they only need to add and subtract a few elements of the car.

Rallycross

For example, when the car is built for Rallycross purposes, it’s fitted with a set of 17" Speedline Wheels with Pirelli P-Zero Rallycross tires, a custom-built Garrett turbocharger with a 45-mm restrictor, and a dual-core intercooler.

"Many people may not realize this, but despite the fundamental similarities between stage rally, rallycross and gymkhana, in order to be the best at each, you must have specific-built vehicles," said Block in a statement. "My WRC Fiesta just can’t do what my Gymkhana Fiesta can, and vice versa. But having to campaign three separate cars is a nightmare, so we built one car that can be transformed to suit each form of racing I do on the highest level."

Gymkhana

When its configured for Gymkhana, the dampers, spring rates, and ride height are all adjusted, the engine management map is adjusted, the gear ratios are shortened, and its outfitted with a set of 18" custom Fifteen52 tarmac wheels with Pirelli Trofeo tires.

World Rally

Finally, when it’s going to compete in Stage Rally, the car’s radiator moves from the back to the front for better cooling and the side intake vents are covered. The lightweight faux headlamps are then replaced with real, functioning lights and the dampers, spring rates, and ride height are also adjusted. The final modification is to change the tires to 15" Oz Gravel wheels with Pirelli P-Zero Rally tires installed along with 300 mm brake set-up.

“The H.F.H.V. is the best of all worlds for me," Block said. "The current WRC Fiesta is the greatest handling car I have driven, but it lacks the sheer grunt that the 2.0L engine in the WRC Focus created. The H.F.H.V. brings those two things together, and the result is a manic beast that is just too much fun to drive.”

We’ll definitely take his word for it.

 here are some specs on the latest and greatest Ken Block Hybrid Function Hoon Ford Fiesta before we get into Gymkhana Four (below). I have no idea what a Hoon is BTW. This is a "hybrid" car not because it has batteries and a electric motor, but rather because the car is designed to be multifunctional and can be quickly adapted for rallycross, gymkhana, and stage rallies. I don't know if it has a Monster, DC, Mobil 1, or Ford title sponsorship, but they all have big stickers all over the car.

• Ford Fiesta WRC chassis, built by M-Sport
• Ford "Ecoboost" 2.0L engine, 600bhp/665 ft-lbs max, built by PIPO Moteurs
• Garrett TR30R turbocharger with 45mm restrictor
• Brembo Monobloc WRC brakes (changed for different events)
• Sadev 6 speed sequential transmission, transfer case, and rear end
• Reiger WRC suspension (different damper/spring combos changed for different events)
• Cosworth Electronics Pectel MQ12 ECU
• Cosworth Electronics Pectel Hyllus power control module
• Cosworth Electronics Pectel DB1-RSHE card logger
• Cosworth Electronics Pectel MK4 RS Driver's dash
• Cosworth Electronics MFD I/O display
• Speedline forged wheels w/ Pirelli tires
• Recaro Ultima WRC carbon fiber seat
• Vehicle weight: 2755 lbs.
• Built by the Monster World Rally Team

While there are many that clown Ken Block as a WRC driver, you cannot deny he is a master of car control. The proof is in the past Gymkhana videos. The haters need to ease up and realize that KB is valuable to the sport of WRC. Who else in current day WRC will do random donuts and jumps in the middle of  a stage just to entertain the audience and attendees? Sure Carlos Sainz used to do it, but he's not in the sport anymore. And did Carlos Sainz ever draw the much needed yound new blood into WRC or highly modified street cars in general? No he didn't. KB does so all you haters need to CTFO. Remember that you won't have any cool cars to buy and play with in the future if younger people don't like cars. Ken Block not only entertains you, but he keeps manufacturers building fun cars that young people want