Audi Becomes Petit Le Mans Title Sponsor; Audi Driving Experience Comes to North America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 1, 2001

CONTACT:    Jennifer Garber
                      (248) 754-4729
                      jennifer.garber@audi.com

"AUDI DRIVING EXPERIENCE" COMES TO NORTH AMERICA

AUBURN HILLS, Mich.-- Audi of America today announced its first-ever comprehensive driving school developed exclusively for North American drivers, called the Audi Driving Experience.  Open this week, the program consists of two courses-an advanced handling course and a teen handling and safety curriculum.  Teen safety classes are geared toward new and less experienced drivers.  The teens focus on defensive driving and how to control a vehicle under various circumstances.

Based on the highly successful European Audi Driving Experience model developed by Audi in Germany, the North American program partners with the Panoz Racing School at four courses:  Road Atlanta; Sebring International Raceway (FL); Texas Motor Speedway; and Mosport International Raceway (Toronto).

Participants drive several different exercises that range in degree of difficulty and emphasize different driving techniques.  They include: steering; braking; parking; lane changing; and adjusting to changes in weather conditions.  A final track is designed to test all the skills learned throughout the one or two-day session.

"The North American program is based on the current program by Audi AG in Europe," said Walter Hanek, director of marketing for Audi of America.  "We believe the Audi Driving Experience provides the type of training useful in driving conditions today and gives customers experience with an A4 at an entirely different level."

All participants must have a valid driving permit and some driving experience.  Students can choose between a one or two-day class, prices range from $500-$975 based on the number of days and program selected.  The average class size is 18 and the student instructor ratio is 4:1.  Audi has a toll free number for interested consumers 1 (866) 232-AUDI.

Audi is also proud to announce title sponsorship of the Petit Le Mans.  Additionally, Audi is the "Official Performance Car" for the Audi Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta and at the Mosport International Raceway.  The Audi Petit Le Mans will be held October 6, 2001 at the famous Road Atlanta track in Georgia.  The Audi Driving Experience utilizes all variations of the 2001 A4 1.8 T and 2.8, including manual/automatic and quattro models.

Audi is an international developer and manufacturer of high-quality cars.  In the year 2000 the company sold more than 650,000 Audi models, bringing in sales revenues of DM 39 billion.  The Audi Group currently has more than 50,000 employees.

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