Ford details 3D-printed manifold for Ken Block's Hoonitruck [Video]

The intake manifold is claimed to be the largest 3D-printed part in any functional vehicle.

Ford has highlighted the 3D printing process used to create the intake manifold for Ken Block's Hoonitruck.

Powered by the same 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 found in the Ford GT and other vehicles, the truck has more than 900 horsepower on tap to simultaneously smoke all four wheels. 

The custom build required a unique intake manifold that integrates a web-like structure, requiring additive manufacturing at Ford's German 3D-printing lab. Using lasers and metal alloy powder, the manifold was slowly created layer-by-layer over the course of five days.

Ford claims the Hoonitruck's intake manifold is the largest 3D-printed part ever created for a functional vehicle. Additive manufacturing is still prohibitively expensive for series production cars, though the costs are slowly being brought down as the technology develops.