In Summer 2018 Ken Blocks Ford Escort Cosworth Group A rallycar died in the flames. Now Ken and his team build the “Cossie 2.0” for the upcoming “Cossie World Tour”! Working with digital creative Ash Thorp (a VFX-GCI master who’s worked on major feature films such as X-Men: First Class, Prometheus, Ghost in the Shell and more), Block and Thorp set out to design a modern interpretation of what a Ford Escort RS Cosworth rallycar would look like if the Escort came out today and the current Ford team that designs the World Rally Championship cars were to design it. The result? The Cossie V2. Arguably the most wild-looking Escort RS “Cossie” ever built.
Featuring fender arches and aero touches lifted straight from the current crop of Ford Fiesta WRC cars—as well as a track that’s wider than the original by 4.3 inches—the new car sits noticebly wider than a standard Escort Cosworth. In addition to the beefed-up stance, the aero enhancements also carry to the world-famous wing, with an additional Gurney style flap added to it.
The new car also features options for both dual side-exit exhausts and a rear-mounted center-exit exhaust setup, with the options being interchangeable depending on regulations at specific events. Beyond that, the car still runs a Ford YB engine built and tuned by Julian Godfrey, making 371 horsepower with a 34mm restrictor in place. It also features updated and modern suspension and geometry, as well as an improved safety cage design lifted directly from the top-spec WRC Cossies back in the day.
There’s also a fun tribute to Block’s original Cossie within the build of the Cossie 2.0: Death Spray Custom helped grind up some bits of the burnt car which were then used as metal flakes on the roll cage of the new one. One of the most unique parts of updating this 25-year old racecar however: Thorp rendered the entire vehicle in CGI for Block and his team at Hoonigan to go through and adjust prior to having the final bodywork made in real life. In fact, Thorp’s renders were so good and complete, they have been used as the exclusive launch images—a first for Block and his team!
For Block’s Cossie World Tour, Block and Hoonigan have started a new, episodic YouTube series that will be living on the Ken Block YouTube channel. Presented by Sonax, the series will follow both Block, his co-driver Alex Gelsomino, the team and his Cossie V2 as they travel the world competing in different national-level stage rally events—as well as events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Gymkhana GRID.
Photos / Video Hoonigan Racing
