The Audi Driving Experience was a definite hit!!!
08-01-2008, 09:48 AM
#1
AudiWorld Expert
Thread Starter
The Audi Driving Experience was a definite hit!!!
Audi created this great marketing event for the upcoming B8 A4, and for those that did not participate, you missed a great event!!! It was free, you got to do a few laps of auto-x in the new A4 3.2 tip and compare it on the course to the BMW 328xi, Lexus IS250, and Mercedes C300 4Matic. Then there were a few laps on the road course in the A4 3.2, a basic "follow-the-leader" test drive.
Of course, the Audi came out on top in my book, but it was hardly an even playing field. The A4 was the only car sporting FRESH 18" 245 summer rubber, while the other cars had worn looking tires. They claimed that everything is "stock" but I believe the B8 A4 has a "premium" package that adds the 18" wheels, so I am not sure if that factored in.
Regardless, it is a nice car, and I am sold! Great handling, the drive select is a neat feature, and the rear seat allows for adults to sit behind me (unlike the B6 or B7). I am sold on the looks of the car, the handling, but I would definitely opt for the sport package (the stock seats had NO lateral support). Oh, and the exhaust note was VERY nice as is
))
So a few pics from the day...
Arrived NHIS around 8:45AM...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS1.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS2.jpg">
Nice R8 in front of garage area...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS5.jpg">
Hostesses hanging out by the R8 were very nice...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS3.jpg">
I look in the technical inspection bay and what do I see...a rack of OEM Audi wheels!!! Don;t they know that the resident wheel-***** is on site??? Somebody hold me back!!!
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS6.jpg">
FYI - R8 tires at 39psi; S5, TT and RS4 tires at 45psi. Wow...
Auto-X was fun, although the Mercedes was a big heavy pic, the Lexus was unremarkable, but the BMW was suprisingly good...better than I had expected (great steering and brakes), and a close runner-up to the A4. Here are A4Rye and sbhtuned taking off in the C300...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS7.jpg">
...sbh tuned seemed to enjoy the first lap...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS8.jpg">
A4 water??? Sheesh!!! I guess the A6 water bottle would be a little bigger, yes???
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS9.jpg">
To the track now, with the B8's waiting for us...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS10a.jpg">
Lots of helmets...mostly for LARGE heads I guess...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS4.jpg">
I hopped in the A4 immediately following the S5 cousin, and gave the peace sign to A4AdMan who snagged the next few pics...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS25.jpg">
Had a hard time keeping up with the S5 coming into the back straight...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS26.jpg">
Caught him...but only because he had to brake for the turn...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS27.jpg">
I was a little closer the next time around...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS28.jpg">
Now into the passenger seat I go...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS10.jpg">
My driving partner, a W8 Passat owner who knew his way around the track pretty well...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS11.jpg">
Waiting to enter the track..
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS12.jpg">
Cresting the rise...that S5 exhaust note was sweet!!!
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS13.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS14.jpg">
Coming around the oval with a train of LEDs following us...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS15.jpg">
The S5 approching the oval and main straight...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS16.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS17.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS18.jpg">
sbh tuned got an "extra" solo session in (lucky bastage!)...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS19.jpg">
One of the group "leader" S5s (two S5s and two MK2TTs)...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS20.jpg">
A4Rye (B6 A4 1.8T owner), yours truly, and sbh tuned (B7 RS4 owner) after our laps...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS22.jpg">
Afterwards, met up with A4AdMan to head to play some golf. Some cruise shots ont he way to the course...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS23.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS24.jpg">
We all agreed that Audi ran a nice event, and what better way to showcase a great product! I am sold, I just have to decide between tiptronic 3.2 or manual 2.0. Since there were only tip 3.2s at the event, I'll just have to wait. No rush...I'll take a B8 A4 in silver over black with the sport package please...in about 3-4 years, so plenty of time to decide!!!))
Perfect weather, great event, Audis, friends and golf...what more can I ask for???
Of course, the Audi came out on top in my book, but it was hardly an even playing field. The A4 was the only car sporting FRESH 18" 245 summer rubber, while the other cars had worn looking tires. They claimed that everything is "stock" but I believe the B8 A4 has a "premium" package that adds the 18" wheels, so I am not sure if that factored in.
Regardless, it is a nice car, and I am sold! Great handling, the drive select is a neat feature, and the rear seat allows for adults to sit behind me (unlike the B6 or B7). I am sold on the looks of the car, the handling, but I would definitely opt for the sport package (the stock seats had NO lateral support). Oh, and the exhaust note was VERY nice as is
))So a few pics from the day...
Arrived NHIS around 8:45AM...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS1.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS2.jpg">
Nice R8 in front of garage area...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS5.jpg">
Hostesses hanging out by the R8 were very nice...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS3.jpg">
I look in the technical inspection bay and what do I see...a rack of OEM Audi wheels!!! Don;t they know that the resident wheel-***** is on site??? Somebody hold me back!!!
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS6.jpg">
FYI - R8 tires at 39psi; S5, TT and RS4 tires at 45psi. Wow...
Auto-X was fun, although the Mercedes was a big heavy pic, the Lexus was unremarkable, but the BMW was suprisingly good...better than I had expected (great steering and brakes), and a close runner-up to the A4. Here are A4Rye and sbhtuned taking off in the C300...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS7.jpg">
...sbh tuned seemed to enjoy the first lap...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS8.jpg">
A4 water??? Sheesh!!! I guess the A6 water bottle would be a little bigger, yes???
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS9.jpg">
To the track now, with the B8's waiting for us...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS10a.jpg">
Lots of helmets...mostly for LARGE heads I guess...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS4.jpg">
I hopped in the A4 immediately following the S5 cousin, and gave the peace sign to A4AdMan who snagged the next few pics...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS25.jpg">
Had a hard time keeping up with the S5 coming into the back straight...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS26.jpg">
Caught him...but only because he had to brake for the turn...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS27.jpg">
I was a little closer the next time around...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS28.jpg">
Now into the passenger seat I go...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS10.jpg">
My driving partner, a W8 Passat owner who knew his way around the track pretty well...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS11.jpg">
Waiting to enter the track..
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS12.jpg">
Cresting the rise...that S5 exhaust note was sweet!!!
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS13.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS14.jpg">
Coming around the oval with a train of LEDs following us...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS15.jpg">
The S5 approching the oval and main straight...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS16.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS17.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS18.jpg">
sbh tuned got an "extra" solo session in (lucky bastage!)...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS19.jpg">
One of the group "leader" S5s (two S5s and two MK2TTs)...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS20.jpg">
A4Rye (B6 A4 1.8T owner), yours truly, and sbh tuned (B7 RS4 owner) after our laps...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS22.jpg">
Afterwards, met up with A4AdMan to head to play some golf. Some cruise shots ont he way to the course...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS23.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/NHIS24.jpg">
We all agreed that Audi ran a nice event, and what better way to showcase a great product! I am sold, I just have to decide between tiptronic 3.2 or manual 2.0. Since there were only tip 3.2s at the event, I'll just have to wait. No rush...I'll take a B8 A4 in silver over black with the sport package please...in about 3-4 years, so plenty of time to decide!!!
))Perfect weather, great event, Audis, friends and golf...what more can I ask for???
08-01-2008, 10:07 AM
#3
AudiWorld Expert
Thread Starter
No, but one of the guys that played covered the round...
...at Turner Hill...verrrrrrry nice place!!!
This pic taken the last time I played there...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/IMGP4467.jpg">
This pic taken the last time I played there...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/GTG/IMGP4467.jpg">
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08-01-2008, 10:34 AM
#9
AudiWorld Expert
Thread Starter
I drove the S5 when it first came out...
...the local Audi dealer let me take it out solo (the fools) and I had it for about 45 minutes. Did some "spirited" highway driving and some nice back road twisties. Went back with Jr. Driver the following wek to see how he liked climbing in and out fo the back seat...he hated it...end of discussion. I require a sedan.
Had thoughts of holding out for the B8 S4, but after driving the 3.2 tip this week, I was impressed with the power and handling of the A4. I think the 2.0 has more torque than the 3.2, so that will be interesting to drive when it comes out...more torque paired with a manual tranny))
Had thoughts of holding out for the B8 S4, but after driving the 3.2 tip this week, I was impressed with the power and handling of the A4. I think the 2.0 has more torque than the 3.2, so that will be interesting to drive when it comes out...more torque paired with a manual tranny
))