A couple weeks ago, we were given the chance to participate in the Audi Winter Driving Experience held at the Seefeld alpine resort in Austria. While the natural surrounds are absolutely breathtaking, seeing a host of Audis slowly and elegantly sliding through the turns on the specially prepared ice track is like something out of any car enthusiast dreams!

As part of Audi’s Winter & Ice Driving Experience, a wide selection of different one- and multiple day programs are available for every level of driving ability. There is an entry-level compact training course that covers the basics of keeping the vehicle under control when grip is lost. The advanced training and drift training offer more advanced exercises including slalom and drift courses. We joined a combination of the advanced and drift training program. Ideal for drivers wanting to go just a tad faster on the slippery surface, this 2-day program which we crammed into 1 day, is held on a course which allowed us to push both the Audi S4 Avant and Audi A8 4.2 TDI Quattro to their limits all while driving on a surface as smooth as glass.

Throughout the course of the program, we went through a host of driving exercises culminating in a race at the end of the day. As the name of the program suggests, we were not only allowed, but actually encouraged to perfect our powerslides through the corners. Additional highlights of the program include a slalom, ABS emergency braking, evasion manoeuvrers as well as a zigzag cone slalom.

We managed to get behind the wheel of both the latest Audi S4 Avant and Audi A8 4.2 TDI Quattro during the action-packed day. The S4, in B8 generation guise, is fitted with a 3.0-liter TFSI V6 engine complete with the extra punch provided by an Eaton supercharger. While the previous generation S4 Avant featured a much larger naturally-aspirated 4.2-liter V8 engine than the current car, the latest manages to produce an impressive 329 hp between 5,500 and 7,000 rpm. Torque is rated at 325 lb-ft from 2,900 to 5,300 rpm and of course, all of this grunt is sent through all four wheels courtesy of Audi’s quattro system.

In ideal conditions (far from where we were), the Audi S4 can sprint to 100 km/h from a standstill in a brisk 5.1 seconds. Of course when driving on snow, straight-line acceleration is the last thing on your mind with most of your focus being on steering and subtle throttle inputs. During the program, we were also given the opportunity to hit the ice track in the much larger and much heavier Audi A8 4.2 TDI Quattro.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxpzedvC06s[/youtube]

As a completely different beast to the S4 Avant and aimed at a completely different section of the automotive market, the A8 4.2 TDI Quattro is much better suited to comfortably transporting business people to and from expensive and lavish parties. However, to our surprise, it performed sublimely on the ice as well! Under the hood, it is powered by a 4.2-liter turbo diesel V8 engine delivering 346 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque from 1,750 rpm. With so much torque, the tiniest throttle input while driving the A8 on ice propelled the car forward into the next corner and like the S4 Avant, the all-wheel drive system made it very controllable.

After a full day on the ice there was one last challenge remaining: A timed race around a course including a slalom, tight 180 degree turn, tight 90 degree turn, wide 180 degree drift corner and finally a box to come to a full halt in. We find ourselves behind the wheel of the Audi A8 4.2 TDI Quattro and try to use all we learned during the day to set a fast lap. Setting off with as little wheel spin as possible is crucial for a quick start. We make our way around the track without hitting any cones, hitting a cone would mean direct disqualification. Due to the rain the ice is covered in standing water in some areas adding another level of difficulty. Across the line we recap on our lap and the fact that it felt slow actually means a good thing. A little while later back at the ‘coffee hut’ sheltered from the rain the winners are announced. And it turns out our ‘slow’ lap was not that slow after all: GTspirit took the first place!

In addition to Audi’s ice experience held in Seefeld and Saalbach, those eager to get behind the wheel of an Audi on ice can also attend similar programs held in Finland. The Audi Driving Experiences are open to Audi owners and fans alike. For more information about dates, prices and programs visit Audi.de.

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