Contributed
Susan gets ready for her test drive in Ingolstadt, Germany. Barely visible at left is Audi employee and translator Javier Rodriguez.

Susan Gordon, Business Reporter

Audi's four circles is one of the most recognisable insignias coming from a country renowned for engineering and craftsmanship of luxury automobiles.

The German car maker, earlier this month, played host to journalists from Latin America on a tour of its Ingolstadt plant that highlighted the design and manufacturing process of the luxury brand.

But as fascinating as that was, the real thrill was on the Audi test-driving track.

Audis are not cheap. The typical journalist cannot afford one. So, when the opportunity was offered to pilot the premium machine, I grabbed it.

Few things, I venture, can possibly match the thrill of moving the four wheels of the Audi at a top speed of 200 kilometres per hour and more. Very few things.

It ended up being more a test of my mettle than the car's.

What a rush! The intense exhilaration of piloting the metallic blue machine around the track at that speed - now my new personal record in driving - is unforgettable!

Getting to sample some of Audi's most exciting series including the A3, the S6, S5 and the fast and furious Audi R8 around an obstacle course - is priceless!

Easy manoeuvre

I realised that the cars were so finely tuned and balanced that even a driver like myself, untrained in racing tactics could easily manoeuvre around the specially prepared track and still feel safe, in full control, and totally satisfied.

My record spin came minutes after the Audi test driver transfixed the party with the demonstration of the reverberating power of the Audi.

When the expert handled the car, one saw its full potential as the aquiline machine blazed around the track well ahead of my 200 km/h.

When he released the steering wheel at just about 200 kilometres per hour, the car maintained its consistent line on a curved track without veering off course. That, for me, was absolutely awesome!

In further tests of the superlative machines, we were put through the most rigorous stopping procedures possible.

At no time did braking induce any sway, shimmer or instability. In gearing up for the brakes test, the Audi seats were well cushioned and adjustable allowing one to place one's legs at the perfect angle and distance from the steering wheel when driving.

Driving comfort

The instructor warned me against sitting as if I were on my living room sofa, and he showed me just how to angle my legs for maximum driving comfort.

At first, when we hit the track, being an overly cautious and light-footed driver, my response time in jamming the brakes to a flashing light on the dashboard indicating that an obstacle or object was only nine metres away from being hit by the car, was just about half of a second.

The instructor considered it slow and after two other attempts, gave me the 'thumbs up' of approval.

I brought the vehicle to a stop in about three tenths of a second, and in a very dramatic fashion - I felt like a professional driver.

After a day of test-driving, I concluded that the Audi is made for persons with a distinct taste, not just the ordinary rich.

susan.gordon@gleanerjm.com