Audi is on track to bring its most thrilling models within even easier reach of brand fans in 2015 through its new format Audi driving experience, which now offers five action-packed training modules starting from as little as £299. The Audi driving experience – the perennially popular route to a greater understanding of the driving characteristics of the UK’s most sought-after premium model range – has been based at the world famous Silverstone circuit since 2004, and grants liberal access to stars from the S, RS and R8 lines.
Open to UK driving licence-holders aged 21 and over*, irrespective of the car they own, the five informative and enjoyable modules making up the 2015 ADE programme start with the Audi sport introductory experience. This morning or afternoon session includes instruction on braking and avoidance techniques, an autotest to sharpen manoeuvring and general handling skills and plenty of laps of Silverstone’s Stowe Circuit. Some of these will be ‘hot laps’ driven by an instructor, and all will be enjoyed in either the 231PS S1, the 300PS S3 or the 310PS TTS.
The Audi quattro experience is the second of the five choices, and is tailored for drivers looking to safely explore the exceptional capabilities of the world renowned all-wheel-drive system both on and off the tarmac. As well as track- based instruction in the Q3 and Q5 compact and mid-size SUVs and the A6 allroad, this morning or afternoon module includes off-road driving on the challenging Silverstone 4×4 course in the A6 allroad.
The third of the five options would suit drivers keen to put what they learn into the context of everyday driving as fully as possible. The half-day Audi dynamic experience starts on a dedicated handling area within the Silverstone facility where drivers receive invaluable guidance on control in wet weather conditions, and continues with a road-based training element using the TTS, the A6 allroad and the A3 Sportback e-tron – the brand’s first ever plug-in hybrid.
Audi R8 on the Grand Prix Circuit
The most thrilling options in the new roster are the Audi sport experience and Audi sport experience plus. The 525PS R8 V10, the 450PS RS 5 and the TTS are the stars of both, and in each case drivers have a full day to enjoy all three spine-tingling sports cars while also absorbing plenty of technique-building instruction as they clip apexes and perfect racing lines. The sport experience takes place on Silverstone’s Stowe Circuit, while the sport experience plus graduates to the full-blown Grand Prix Circuit.
The courses include breakfast and light refreshments in half-day programmes plus lunch for the full-day courses, and culminate in a ‘graduation’ ceremony where certificates are presented. 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.
As an added benefit, completion of the Audi driving experience course at Silverstone grants access to the wider world of Audi driver training. Graduates can hone their skills further afield 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 https://www.audi.co.uk/about-audi/audi-driving-experience.html
* With fewer than 9 driving licence penalty points. For some of the ADE courses, customers will need to be over the age of 25.
