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I ask for a quick hand signal, who considers himself a good motorist?
There are sure many like me. I guess. I drive so good 120.000 kilometers on different routes every year. That's a rather high mileage compared to regular Otto drivers. But, of course, who is constantly Consumption of test vehicles checked and also in the year loose 100 drives new cars, which is just many hours behind the wheel. So what would I say if someone asks me if I'm a good driver?
I would probably fall into the trap and overestimate myself too. But a “good driver” doesn’t necessarily have to be someone who has been driving accident-free all their life. I know a lot of good racing drivers who always go over the limits and deliver results. Would you accuse them of not being able to drive? Probably not. I think part of being a good driver is being willing to learn. Again and again. Even 20 years after taking the driving test.
I am ready? Yes gladly!
Audi Driving Experience 2014
When Audi invited me to do a few laps on snow and ice, I didn't have to think long. I used to drive an Audi with quattro drive privately and I could still remember how much fun we had in the snow. Now it should be a matter of maintaining control of the vehicle even on slippery roads.
Seat sample in Seefeld
At light plus grades, a well-groomed ice surface awaited us. The training vehicles of the day were already waiting in the underground car park for the steering wheel Pennäler, but instead of a school desk and wooden chairs there was a briefing how to set the comfortable leather stalls correctly. For many drivers, the result is probably a rather unfamiliar seating position for everyday life. While the shoulders are close to the back, the wrist should be able to lie loosely on the steering wheel in the 12 watch position. And those who put their hands relaxed and relaxed at the 9 and 3-Uhr position, find the arms slightly bent. The seat lower surface quietly adjust deep down, the more direct the way from the hip to the brake pedal, the better. In doing so, people with short upper bodies should be careful to be able to look well over the steering wheel 😉
The two training vehicles, the Audi A8 with V8 TFSI and the Audi S4 Avant With 333 PS V6, the students indulge on this day with the concentrated comfort of the Ingolstadt premium brand.
Teaching on ice
As you can see in the video, Audi had hired the right instructors. Quiet, with the serenity of professionals, told the visiting blogger crowd the contents of the coming hours. The class was divided into S4 riders and A8 riders and then trained in different groups.
Simple dodging on ice? With the A8 quattro, this can be a fun exercise despite the two tons of live weight and long wheelbase. As Thomas von autogefühl.de writes: And if he swings once, then he will swing too. Nevertheless, despite the length, the A8 is so agile that we can even spin it on the spot in a donut!
One of the most important basics in “controlled” uncontrolled driving is eye guidance. Arild did this in his article on the “Audi Driving Experience” also mentioned again: Looking at where the A8 should go and not where it's going to slip, you're almost automatically steering in the desired direction. "
Drifting and smiling
The Quattro vehicles brought by Audi for winter training all had the “sport differential” on board. In addition, the quattro drive has now been designed for a generation so that more power is delivered to the rear axle than was previously the case. Thanks to this design, a luxury liner like the A8 can now be driven sideways. However, you should pull the fuse on the ESC control unit to do this, because unlike in the case of the much sportier Audi S4, the ESP in the A8 cannot be completely deactivated - unless you pull the fuse. If you want to take a virtual roundabout (on ice in the winter wonderland) while drifting, you should do so.
Turn in, accelerator, off the accelerator, countersteer, be very gentle on the wheel, look in the direction you want to go and “maaagic” – the two-ton truck is drifting around the roundabout, spraying ice and water over all four wheels. Thats how it is suppost to be.
At this point I can confess that personally it is much easier for me to drift - than not to drift. At the end of the day there was a little challenge. Here, a course was run for a limited time. The drift around the pretty hats is nice to look at, but not sensible for the total time.
I do not want to say more about that at this point.
You may find out for yourself who was the fastest! 😉 - Take a look at the articles from Heike, Lisa, Milos, Oli and Camillo. Or click on the lifestyle expert “Heldth“. I guess I had enough fun too Jochen vom motorblog.
At the end, it became clear when the ceremonial handover of the certificates took place: If you stop working on yourself, you will no longer be a better driver. You have to be open to new things, you have to have the right instructors and you don't have to be afraid of losing control. This is the only way to learn the right way to win it again.
Audi Driving Experience is safe, but joyful drifting on ice is an educational pleasure!
Other bloggers on site: Mario from autoaid.de