Audi Concerge Exclusive Audi R8 Drive Experience - Orange County, CA Dec 11th 2011

[jman995x]

Took the urBeast to the event.



This is deceiving - we were flying.


Of course they assigned me the fast color.

SAF,

I might be going to the Scottsdale event in mid-Jan and had some questions about the event you went to:

1) Was there a hard-sell at the end of the event to get you to buy an R8 since they styled you out with food and a free drive?

2) I like the picture of all of the R8's on the freeway, but that made me wonder if they make everybody drive in a group (i.e.: you can't do your own thing...go on some twisties that you know locally, etc.).

Thanks for any info you can give me.

Justin

[ben916]

SAF,

I might be going to the Scottsdale event in mid-Jan and had some questions about the event you went to:

1) Was there a hard-sell at the end of the event to get you to buy an R8 since they styled you out with food and a free drive?

2) I like the picture of all of the R8's on the freeway, but that made me wonder if they make everybody drive in a group (i.e.: you can't do your own thing...go on some twisties that you know locally, etc.).

Thanks for any info you can give me.

Justin

You might see Dave Hall at the Scottsdale one!

[jman995x]

You might see Dave Hall at the Scottsdale one!

I'm on the wait list, but you never know...

I look forward to meeting any and all RS6.com members at the event (provided I make the cut).

Justin

[SAF]

SAF,

I might be going to the Scottsdale event in mid-Jan and had some questions about the event you went to:

1) Was there a hard-sell at the end of the event to get you to buy an R8 since they styled you out with food and a free drive?

2) I like the picture of all of the R8's on the freeway, but that made me wonder if they make everybody drive in a group (i.e.: you can't do your own thing...go on some twisties that you know locally, etc.).

Thanks for any info you can give me.

Justin

No sales pitch whatsovever. Our guys were interested in feedback on our experience and the car itself. That V10 is a blast, so be sure to request the 6 speed! As for the drive itself, there is a lead car and a follow car and everyone gets a 2-way radio to get instructions on where to exit etc. We had a lot of latitude in the trip as far as spreading out and having fun on the highway, as the chase car gave us room to fall back and play a little - but we did all have to go to the designated destination and follow the same route. There were times I couldn't see the other R8s until we hit an exit ramp light or traffic. It was a mix of back roads and highway for us. (I'll try to post the video we took if I can figure it out.)

Before we departed I asked what would happen if "someone" decided to veer off northbound on the interstate instead of south, and I was told "we have ways of tracking you and stopping you" (like GPS tracking and a kill command I bet. LOL!) All in all an absolutely great event.

[s42ski]

I did my R8 drive yesterday up in LA. First class event all the way - I had a V10 Spider 6 speed ( oh how I miss rowing my own gears!). We had about 50 minutes out and back drive time. We had mostly canyon and mountain roads with a short blast on the freeway to let her rip.

The good - the car handles like a dream - 2X the warning sign speeds was the norm with no drama.
The engine is a screamer which took getting used to - really need to wind it out to get the most out of it - went thru a tunnel and revved it out to 8k+! sounded like a formula one race car. Acceleration is very potent but I did miss the low end grunt of our cars ( yes I know that can be fixed, but now we are getting into really big money)
The convertible top is easy and the car was absolutely tight with no cowl shake even after hitting some rough road spots.

Nitpicking - I found legroom a little tight - I am not that tall 6'2" but I am not sure I would find this an easy car to drive for any long stretches.

They had disabled the Sirius/XM so that we would not get "distracted" by our music.


Overall - Audi gets two thumbs up for this - not sure it balances out the nightmare of the DRC, but it was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon

[mmaturo]

Had fun in Chicago a little over a month ago with this. Was fun. I was right behind the lead car and he let me play several times at full throttle getting on highway and a few other starts. Nice event, no sale at all just honestly wanting people to drive and spend time with the car. Over and over the message was that it is the perfect daily driver super car/sports car. Glad they invited me as it was the first chance I have had to drive one.

[ben916]

Hope this works for everyone...
This is part of the Laguna event on the Ortega Highway SR-74 in Orange County CA

https://www.facebook.com/video/video...59613810806308

[Chung]

Do you need to be a baller to get invited to events like this or does just having a RS6 qualify?

[Brav]

I dont know how I did... but I remember there were a couple people who were not even Audi owners.

[ben916]

Do you need to be a baller to get invited to events like this or does just having a RS6 qualify?

I asked Jacqueline and she said that there was "information" provided to Audi that only specific to a certain threshold of vehicle ("RS6 & RS4, M3/5/6, AMG").

I do know that I had an "experience" at Miramar Audi that could have be a fiasco but Audi stepped up and took care of their mess up.
I also know that I was poking around AoA website and found a "register your vehicle" site.
I enter my VIN and other personal information.
The next day I received a call from Audi's special services desk (read as RS6, R8, A8 owners only) welcoming me to the brand.
They asked a few questions and that was about it.

I think only one person at the Laguna event had an R8, V8 thought.

[Chung]

BTW I really like that UR Quattro. You should get bonus points for driving that to the event.

[QuattroRS]

I have only one addition.

Pleeze buy a HDHero. My head hurts after watching the vid.

;-)

Hope this works for everyone...
This is part of the Laguna event on the Ortega Highway SR-74 in Orange County CA

https://www.facebook.com/video/video...59613810806308

[ben916]

I have only one addition.

Pleeze buy a HDHero. My head hurts after watching the vid.

;-)

ok, I actually borrowed a V.I.A. recording unit from a co-worker and the videos of him skiing in the Sierras with that camera setup was awesome! I tested it the night before I was to go, $hitty thing didn't work properly. Thank goodness that John had that Kodak video thing, even though it was subjected to constant whiplash...
I then asked my coworker to borrow his GoPro about a week in advance and he accidentally left it at home the day before I was on vacation for 2 weeks with the La Jolla event 2 days after I returned.

enuf of that... My head hurt also as JOHN was driving...

YES! GoPro is on the short list of items...

[ben916]

I have about 20 more of these to upload...