Day 1: Audi Mileage Marathon

You know you are at an Audi event when you hear those lovely, German accents. Let me tell you, these guys know how to treat the media.

Throughout the next several days, I will be participating in the Audi Mileage Marathon. Essentially, the gist of this event is to help introduce Audi’s latest diesel technology to the United States. I am in Wave 2, which means, I will be traveling from Chicago to Memphis, Dallas, Amarillo and Denver.

As journalists, we are the best force to get out Audi’s message. The new diesels are here and they are not like the old diesels Americans are used to.

Arriving in downtown Chicago, I was greeted by a team of individuals affiliated with Audi AG. After going through the paperwork process and making sure to outfit us with plenty of Audi gear, we were turned loose like a bunch of kiddies at a carnival. Forget about the cotton candy and the clowns, however.

After settling in, I made sure to take in my surroundings – I have never been to Chicago before. It was during this time the participants from Wave 1 arrived at the hotel and W. Adams Ave. was filled with silver, stickered-up Q5s and Q7s.

There I was, at the corner of an intersection, when a Q5 TDI pulled up. Once the light changed to green it made, what must be, one of the finest sounds I have heard from an auto in a long time.

The only way I can describe it is a small diesel truck motor with a significant turbo “whooOOsh.” It sounds majestic. I must make note, it is a very subtle, diesel sound. Not loud, not the clatter diesel’s typically make.

I hope I can get sleep tonight; I am eagerly awaiting the keys to my own A4 3.0 TDI. I have a good idea of which strategy I will try to employ to achieve the highest miles-per-gallon. Wish me luck.

It’s Christmas eve all over again.

rp