Swedish-Built 1000hp Audi A5 Prepared for Drag Racing
Jens Eklund’s custom Audi A5, now packing 1000hp from a turbocharged five-cylinder engine, is stripped and modified for serious drag strip performance.
The world of drag racing is known for its extreme engineering and boundary-pushing builds, but few projects capture the imagination quite like the 1000 horsepower Audi A5 created by Sweden’s Jens Eklund. This car is a striking blend of German coupe design and Scandinavian tuning ingenuity, resulting in a machine that is almost unrecognisable from its road-going origins. Eklund’s creation is not just about raw numbers; it’s a testament to what is possible when technical expertise meets a relentless drive for performance.
An Audi A5 Like No Other
Jens Eklund, a well-known figure in Swedish drag racing circles, has spent years building and racing high-powered Audis. His latest project takes the Audi A5 platform and transforms it into a dedicated drag car, with performance figures that place it among the most potent A5-based machines in Europe. While the original A5 is admired for its sleek styling and refined road manners, Eklund’s version is focused solely on straight-line speed.
Engine and Performance Upgrades
At the heart of this dragster is a turbocharged five-cylinder engine, delivering a claimed 1000 horsepower. This engine choice is a departure from the more common V6 or V8 units found in high-performance Audis, but it draws on a strong tradition in Scandinavian tuning. Five-cylinder engines, especially those from the Audi family, are renowned for their strength, tuning potential, and motorsport heritage, most famously in the Audi Quattro rally cars of the 1980s.
Achieving such power requires extensive internal modifications. While specific technical details have not been publicly disclosed, builds of this calibre typically feature forged pistons, strengthened connecting rods, and a high-capacity turbocharger. Advanced engine management systems are essential to ensure that the engine operates reliably at these extreme outputs. The result is an engine that not only produces impressive numbers but is also robust enough to withstand the stresses of repeated drag strip launches.
Drivetrain and Chassis Modifications
A 1000 horsepower engine places immense demands on the rest of the car. To handle the power, the drivetrain and chassis must be heavily upgraded. In projects like this, the standard suspension, brakes, and rear axle are usually replaced or significantly reinforced. The transmission is a critical component, often upgraded to a motorsport-grade gearbox with a strengthened differential to cope with the torque. Weight reduction is also a priority: the interior is typically stripped, and safety equipment such as a roll cage, racing harnesses, and fire suppression systems are installed to meet motorsport regulations.
Other common features in drag cars of this type include lightweight racing seats and data logging equipment, allowing the builder to monitor performance and fine-tune the setup for optimum results. Every modification is made with the goal of maximising acceleration and ensuring the car remains controllable at high speeds.
Bodywork and Donor Parts
Very little of the original Audi A5 remains in Eklund’s dragster. The bodywork is likely to have been lightened and modified to accommodate wider tyres and to improve aerodynamics. Wheel arches may be flared, and lightweight composite materials such as fibreglass or carbon fibre are often used for panels like the bonnet and boot lid. Polycarbonate windows may replace the original glass to further reduce weight.
During the conversion, most of the standard components from the donor A5 are removed. Eklund reportedly offers these surplus parts for sale, a common practice among custom car builders to help offset the substantial costs involved in such an ambitious project. This approach is both practical and resourceful, reflecting the realities of building a car of this calibre.
The Scandinavian Tuning Scene
Sweden and the wider Scandinavian region are renowned for their vibrant car tuning culture. The five-cylinder turbocharged engine has become something of a hallmark among local enthusiasts, thanks in part to Audi’s motorsport legacy and the engine’s inherent strength. Builders like Jens Eklund continue to push the limits of what these cars can achieve, blending technical skill with a passion for performance.
Drag racing has a strong following in Sweden, with dedicated events and a thriving community. Cars like Eklund’s Audi A5 illustrate how far the platform can be developed when creativity and engineering expertise come together. These builds serve as inspiration for others in the tuning community, demonstrating that even a luxury coupe can be transformed into a machine built for the strip.
A Road Car Transformed
The transformation of the Audi A5 into a 1000 horsepower drag racing machine is a remarkable example of private engineering. By combining a lightweight coupe body with a massively uprated five-cylinder engine and purpose-built running gear, Jens Eklund’s project stands as a testament to the potential of custom car building. The result is a vehicle that leaves its luxury roots behind in favour of raw, focused performance, built for the pursuit of quarter-mile glory.
Specifications (as claimed)
| Base car | Audi A5 coupe (extensively modified) |
|---|---|
| Engine | Turbocharged five-cylinder petrol |
| Power output | 1000 horsepower (claimed) |
| Builder | Jens Eklund, Sweden |
| Purpose | Drag racing |
| Drivetrain | Custom/reinforced (details not disclosed) |
| Weight reduction | Interior stripped, lightweight body panels likely used |
