December 2016 109 www.bahrainthismonth.com motoring This leading dealership marked the launch of its new showroom concept with a fun driving event at the Bahrain International Circuit. During the three-day event, over 160 guests and members of the press experienced some of Audi’s most powerful models. As well as driving the R8 V10 plus, RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Performance, participants got behind the wheel of the first RS model in the Q series – the RS Q3. Audi Bahrain dealer principal, Geetan Jessen, says: “Audi’s motorsport heritage influences the development of every car we produce, but it really lies at the heart of the R8 and RS models. We wanted to give participants the chance to experience the true potential of our Audi Sport models right back where they were born, on the racetrack. “To have the opportunity to do that on the same track that our WEC team will take on in the FIA WEC 6 Hours of Bahrain later this month is a real bonus. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate becoming an official Audi Sport dealer.” Over the course of the event, participants put their skills to the test in a Le Mans slalom challenge, an autocross circuit activity and other track-handling exercises. The marque’s Bahrain showroom in Sitra now hosts a dedicated Audi Sport suite staffed by personnel specialised in the exclusive R8 and RS-badged models. A collection of Audi Sport-branded merchandise such as accessories and clothing is also on display. Audi Bahrain is one of the marque’s seven dealerships in the Middle East to become an official Audi Sport dealer in 2016, following the establishment of a new performance subsidiary in the region under the brand. No model better demonstrates this connection than the R8 Coupé V10 plus – the most powerful and fastest production Audi ever built, its makers say. A combination of materials and ultra-efficient technologies make the Audi Space Frame bodywork incredibly light with high torsional rigidity – setting new benchmarks across the board. Joining the R8 V10 plus on track during the event was the RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Sportback performance, both featuring a 4-litre V8 TFSI engine with 605bhp and up to 750Nm of torque push acceleration (3.7 seconds), nearly to levels usually reserved for supercars. As the first RS model of the successful Q range, the Audi RS Q3 combines outstanding everyday practicality with dynamic driving performance. It takes just 4.4 seconds to go from 0 to 100kmph. The 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo produces 367bhp and has an average fuel consumption of just 8.4-litres of fuel per 100km. An award-winning high-performance engine, the 2.5 TFSI is at work under the bonnet of the RS Q3. This five-cylinder engine has been named ‘International Engine of the Year’ in its class for three years running. The Middle East is one of the first markets in the world to introduce Audi Sport as a dedicated brand for its dealer showrooms. The region has a growing demand for the marque’s performance models and is one of the biggest markets in the world for the Audi R8. Call 17 459-933. High Performance Track Event AUDI BAHRAIN
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