New format driver tuition programme puts stars from S1 to R8 in the hands of Audi enthusiasts keen to hone their skills in safety
Indelibly memorable, immensely rewarding and edge-of-seat exciting – these come close to describing the all-new Audi R8, but they apply just as much to the 2016 Audi Driving Experience in which the 205mph super sports car plays a starring role. From this month the spectacular R8 and an all-star supporting cast of Audi performance cars will be seen, heard and thoroughly enjoyed as part of a restructured ADE programme of high performance driver tuition taking place at Northamptonshire’s Silverstone Circuit.
The 610PS R8 V10 plus tops the bill in the fleet that will be lapping the hallowed venue’s Stowe Circuit as part of the full-blown Audi Sport Experience, but Audi enthusiasts will also have access to an Introductory Experience costing under £300 that puts them in the driving seat of a trio of powerhouses including the 367PS RS 3 Sportback.
Open to UK driving licence-holders aged 21 and over*, irrespective of the car they own, the latest Audi Driving Experience has been condensed into three core modules - the half-day Audi Sport Introductory experience, half-day quattro experience and full-day Audi Sport experience. All are available on selected dates running through to October.
Costing £299, the morning or afternoon Audi Sport Introductory experience includes instruction on cornering techniques and management of fast lane changes, plus a challenging slalom course, and enlists the help of the 231PS S1 quattro, the 310PS TTS quattro and the 367PS RS 3 Sportback quattro.
The Audi Sport Experience, costing £749, ramps up the excitement several notches further still by pitching the RS 3 Sportback in with the 560PS RS 6 Avant and the 610PS R8 V10 plus for a full day of clipping apexes and perfecting racing lines. During this high-octane session delegates focus on everything from cornering and high-speed lane changes to braking at speed, and are then treated to a high-speed passenger ride in a R8 V10 plus with an expert Audi instructor.
The increasing number of fans of the flourishing Audi SUV family are also taken care of at Silverstone by the quattro Experience, available for £349. This half-day module divides time between special handling areas within the circuit and its purpose-built 4x4 area.
The Audi Q family on parade
Tackled in the Q3 and the potent 326PS SQ5 TDI, the ‘hard surface’ elements of the quattro Experience allow drivers to develop their confidence in the on-road control of these agile and imposing machines and to understand how that control is dramatically enhanced by quattro all-wheel-drive. Away from the asphalt, the challenging gradients and rough terrain of the 4x4 section are the domain of the latest Q7 with its height adjustable air suspension, and subscribers to this module are given plenty of opportunity to experience how adeptly this luxurious seven-seater with state-of-the-art quattro drive can iron out the undulations.
The half-day Introductory and quattro modules include breakfast and light refreshments, and lunch is also served during the full-day Audi Sport Experience. All delegates who complete their modules leave with a ‘graduation’ certificate.
For an additional cost of £49 participants can invite a guest spectator, who can enjoy refreshments during the training and will also have the opportunity to try a ‘taster session’ on the off-road course in a Q model alongside an off-road driving expert.
The thrilling Audi Sport Experience is included as part of the ‘standard equipment’ for customers purchasing a new R8 Coupe or Spyder, and is offered at reduced cost to recipients of a new RS 6 Avant or RS 7 Sportback (including 605PS performance versionsm.
The compelling Experiences at Silverstone don’t have to be the end of the action-packed journey for committed drivers. They can continue to hone their skills at an international level through exciting Audi driving experience programmes involving everything from ice driving in Finland to conquering the 170+ corners making up Germany’s gruelling Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit.
To purchase a voucher for the Audi driving experience visit http://www.audi.co.uk/about-audi/audi-driving-experience.html
* With fewer than 9 driving licence penalty points. For some of the European ADE courses, customers will need to be over the age of 25.
Article source: www.audi.co.uk