Now that fall is in full swing we can take a step back and enjoy the foliage.
All of the gorgeous oranges, reds and yellows are showing in all of their glory. Although one would debate taking that trek up to Vermont or Maine, I have a different suggestion for you. Take four days out of your schedule and head out to Chicago. Then, drive to Denver. Not in a straight shot either, meander.
Explore Americana and immerse yourself within the Midwestern culture.
Want to know more, check out the my published work on TheStreet.com.
rp
Showing posts with label Amarillo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amarillo. Show all posts
24.10.08
Day 5: The Mile-High City
Here it is, the final day. Sad but true, the Audi Mileage marathon is coming to a close.
Amarillo is an interesting town. Relatively quiet and people keep to themselves. I wonder how it is growing up in a place like this. Growing up in suburbia was not all that bad, how is it in the great American plains?
Anyhow, back to the cars.
The Audi Q5 TDI made for an interesting leg from Dallas to Amarillo. Although it seems like a reasonably sized auto, it does not have that much interior room. As a matter in fact, I think the new A4 has better interior volume.
Source: rp
Riding in the Q5 became downright painful at some points. Although the sport seats provide great lateral, thigh and lumbar support there is not a tremendous amount of room to “stretch out,” your legs in the floor boards. Thus, for a tall individual, it can get very uncomfortable very fast. Little over an hour of driving I mercifully scrambled for the seat controls to change my driving position – I was dying.
On top of this, the driving position is awkward. In the BMW X3, you feel more in the car, where as in the Q5 you feel like you are driving a horse and buggy. On top of the vehicle.
Furthering upon this, the seating position is quite inboard; meaning, designers placed the seats closer to the center console. Not much room to the right but plenty of room on the left.
Driving wise, the car is fantastic. Pick-up is there when necessary and the seven speed transmission is a great way to manage your miles-per-gallon effectively. One thing I love about diesels, the torque. Passing is done with ease in sixth gear; plant your foot and watch the revs-per-minute rise and whoosh, you are gone.
I cannot say enough about this drive train. I love it. The transmission and engine are perfect for each other. Say what you will about “flappy paddles,” or tiptronic transmissions; they work for these cars.
Source: rp
As I said in an earlier post, the interior is typical Audi, the best. Top-notch materials and design make it an appealing atmosphere. Far from the juxtaposition of a Chevrolet Malibu.
Yeah, I said it.
Overall, the Q5 feels solid, as if it was created from one solid chunk of metal. There is a confidence-inspiring heft to the vehicle.
One thing that was interesting was the steering. Surprisingly heavy. Enough to make one’s arms tired after spending a sizable amount of time in some twisties. It reminded me of an E46 330Ci with 18s and a sport suspension I used to pilot. I wish the Q5’s steering was not as numb but it is an Audi, so, I should not be surprised
Rolling through New Mexico was a trip; it is the equivalent of driving on Mars. No one is around, no buildings and no stops. Just you and your two lane road ahead of you.
Source: rp
It was awesome.
The more we pressed on the more I realized how much open land there is in the Great Plains. My German co-pilot muttered several times “My, what a big country.”
Just outside of Denver, the crew and I stopped off at Pikes Peak International Raceway. What a great time! Peculiar driving in an oval but it was certainly memorable.
Arriving in Denver, we were so late that we did not get the opportunity to fill up with the IMSA officials. So, we do not know our last day’s traveling worth of miles-per-gallon. Does that bother me?
No, the trip computer insisted we yielded over 30 MPG.
rp
Amarillo is an interesting town. Relatively quiet and people keep to themselves. I wonder how it is growing up in a place like this. Growing up in suburbia was not all that bad, how is it in the great American plains?
Anyhow, back to the cars.
The Audi Q5 TDI made for an interesting leg from Dallas to Amarillo. Although it seems like a reasonably sized auto, it does not have that much interior room. As a matter in fact, I think the new A4 has better interior volume.
Source: rpRiding in the Q5 became downright painful at some points. Although the sport seats provide great lateral, thigh and lumbar support there is not a tremendous amount of room to “stretch out,” your legs in the floor boards. Thus, for a tall individual, it can get very uncomfortable very fast. Little over an hour of driving I mercifully scrambled for the seat controls to change my driving position – I was dying.
On top of this, the driving position is awkward. In the BMW X3, you feel more in the car, where as in the Q5 you feel like you are driving a horse and buggy. On top of the vehicle.
Furthering upon this, the seating position is quite inboard; meaning, designers placed the seats closer to the center console. Not much room to the right but plenty of room on the left.
Driving wise, the car is fantastic. Pick-up is there when necessary and the seven speed transmission is a great way to manage your miles-per-gallon effectively. One thing I love about diesels, the torque. Passing is done with ease in sixth gear; plant your foot and watch the revs-per-minute rise and whoosh, you are gone.
I cannot say enough about this drive train. I love it. The transmission and engine are perfect for each other. Say what you will about “flappy paddles,” or tiptronic transmissions; they work for these cars.
Source: rpAs I said in an earlier post, the interior is typical Audi, the best. Top-notch materials and design make it an appealing atmosphere. Far from the juxtaposition of a Chevrolet Malibu.
Yeah, I said it.
Overall, the Q5 feels solid, as if it was created from one solid chunk of metal. There is a confidence-inspiring heft to the vehicle.
One thing that was interesting was the steering. Surprisingly heavy. Enough to make one’s arms tired after spending a sizable amount of time in some twisties. It reminded me of an E46 330Ci with 18s and a sport suspension I used to pilot. I wish the Q5’s steering was not as numb but it is an Audi, so, I should not be surprised
Rolling through New Mexico was a trip; it is the equivalent of driving on Mars. No one is around, no buildings and no stops. Just you and your two lane road ahead of you.
Source: rpIt was awesome.
The more we pressed on the more I realized how much open land there is in the Great Plains. My German co-pilot muttered several times “My, what a big country.”
Just outside of Denver, the crew and I stopped off at Pikes Peak International Raceway. What a great time! Peculiar driving in an oval but it was certainly memorable.
Arriving in Denver, we were so late that we did not get the opportunity to fill up with the IMSA officials. So, we do not know our last day’s traveling worth of miles-per-gallon. Does that bother me?
No, the trip computer insisted we yielded over 30 MPG.
rp
19.10.08
Day 4: Amarillo, Here We Come
On the road to Amarillo.
Setting off from lovely downtown Dallas, I notice things are not quite normal. People are driving around the town in convertible Jeep Wranglers screaming, flags are flailing and there are an abundance of specific colors.
It is the big event of the week: football. You know, I have been to a few football games in my day and I have tailgated for certain events; however, nothing could prepare you for Dallas style football. Essentially, the whole city is transformed into a gigantic tailgate party and everyone adorns the garb of the team they are rooting for. I have never seen anything like it.
Something more important, at least in my world, comes up. Starting on day four, I now have the opportunity to drive the new Audi Q5 3.0 TDI. This is a big deal because the Q5 will not be released in North America until spring 2009, according to Audi executives.
Source: rp
Where does the Q5 place in Audi line-up? The Q5 is Audi’s answer to smaller sport utility vehicles, such as BMW’s X3 and Infiniti’s EX. So, you can presume pricing will slot in higher than Volkswagen’s Tiguan and hopefully lower than BMW’s X3 – in an effort to remain competitive.
Give or take a $35,000 base price.
It is a rather interesting juxtaposition of exterior design. I see a Volkswagen Tiguan which has mated with a Q7, really.
The interior is what you come to expect from Audi. Top grade materials positioned in an appealing A4-like set-up. I have yet to see a firm with the ability to trounce Audi’s interior design and usage of quality materials.
Source: rp
Motoring on through northern Texas, the flat land continues on.
One of my fellow journalists remarked “If Christopher Columbus sailed and landed here, he would have certainly thought the world was flat.”
Passing through small towns with populations smaller than an apartment complex was rather humbling. Population 566, population 1,600, population 2,455. Tornado Alley is a peculiar mix of homes, people and shops.
I suggest that everyone take this trip at least once. Not only is it an awe-inspiring experience but you get to see what the real Texas Chainsaw Massacre looks like!
No, but seriously, the stopover in Wichita Falls was interesting. The grilled chicken and baked potato dish I received was tremendously good. Perhaps, I should fly down there and steal their recipe.
Source: rp
After arriving and settling in at rainy, windy Amarillo, the event headed over to something classified as only Texas – a rodeo. Needless to say, these people must be out of their mind. 15 year-old boys hopping on bulls and mustangs in order to see how long they can hold on for? It is wild!
Oh yeah, and our Q5 obtained over 32 miles-per-gallon.
The cars are managing to impress all of the journalists. As the daily reports come in at breakfast, joined by gasps, the results continue to draw much attention. Strategies are still varied; however, it seems many have begun to enjoy the landscape and vehicles more and more as Wave 2 progresses.
Stay tuned for day five, which takes the trip from Amarillo to the mile-high city, Denver.
rp
Setting off from lovely downtown Dallas, I notice things are not quite normal. People are driving around the town in convertible Jeep Wranglers screaming, flags are flailing and there are an abundance of specific colors.
It is the big event of the week: football. You know, I have been to a few football games in my day and I have tailgated for certain events; however, nothing could prepare you for Dallas style football. Essentially, the whole city is transformed into a gigantic tailgate party and everyone adorns the garb of the team they are rooting for. I have never seen anything like it.
Something more important, at least in my world, comes up. Starting on day four, I now have the opportunity to drive the new Audi Q5 3.0 TDI. This is a big deal because the Q5 will not be released in North America until spring 2009, according to Audi executives.
Source: rpWhere does the Q5 place in Audi line-up? The Q5 is Audi’s answer to smaller sport utility vehicles, such as BMW’s X3 and Infiniti’s EX. So, you can presume pricing will slot in higher than Volkswagen’s Tiguan and hopefully lower than BMW’s X3 – in an effort to remain competitive.
Give or take a $35,000 base price.
It is a rather interesting juxtaposition of exterior design. I see a Volkswagen Tiguan which has mated with a Q7, really.
The interior is what you come to expect from Audi. Top grade materials positioned in an appealing A4-like set-up. I have yet to see a firm with the ability to trounce Audi’s interior design and usage of quality materials.
Source: rpMotoring on through northern Texas, the flat land continues on.
One of my fellow journalists remarked “If Christopher Columbus sailed and landed here, he would have certainly thought the world was flat.”
Passing through small towns with populations smaller than an apartment complex was rather humbling. Population 566, population 1,600, population 2,455. Tornado Alley is a peculiar mix of homes, people and shops.
I suggest that everyone take this trip at least once. Not only is it an awe-inspiring experience but you get to see what the real Texas Chainsaw Massacre looks like!
No, but seriously, the stopover in Wichita Falls was interesting. The grilled chicken and baked potato dish I received was tremendously good. Perhaps, I should fly down there and steal their recipe.
Source: rpAfter arriving and settling in at rainy, windy Amarillo, the event headed over to something classified as only Texas – a rodeo. Needless to say, these people must be out of their mind. 15 year-old boys hopping on bulls and mustangs in order to see how long they can hold on for? It is wild!
Oh yeah, and our Q5 obtained over 32 miles-per-gallon.
The cars are managing to impress all of the journalists. As the daily reports come in at breakfast, joined by gasps, the results continue to draw much attention. Strategies are still varied; however, it seems many have begun to enjoy the landscape and vehicles more and more as Wave 2 progresses.
Stay tuned for day five, which takes the trip from Amarillo to the mile-high city, Denver.
rp
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
