Racetrack ()
Living in Germany allows seeing the German automotive engineering genius upfront and in person. It’s not surprising to see a Mercedes, BMW, Audi or Porsche fly past you on the autobahn. While each of these high-performance automakers has in-depth and hands-on exhibits at their headquarters and factories, getting behind the wheel and burning some rubber is an entirely different experience. Gear up for some serious adrenaline and head for a day at the track! If you feel a need for speed, you’re in the right place.
Audi Driving Experience Center, Neuburg
Founder August Horch established his first car company in 1899. After inner turmoil within the company, Horch left and founded Audiwerke AG Zwickau in 1910 and produced the first Audi the same year. Two decades later, the company acquired three fledgling automakers. To incorporate all four brands, Audi created the iconic four-ringed logo still featured today. After the war, the automaker relocated to Ingolstadt in Bavaria. Since then, Audi has become renowned for its performance and high-end vehicles.
If you’ve wanted to sit behind the wheel and test the limits of an Audi, head to the Audi Driving Experience Center in Neuburg. Drivers can take an Audi R8 Coupe V10 or an Audi RS E-Tron GT on their specialized closed-circuit track. Choose from half-day sessions or take the plunge and do an all-inclusive multi-day tour through the Alps. If the schedule is booked up or you’d like a more personalized touch, Audi offers customized lessons and experiences.
Porsche Experience Center, Stuttgart
Not quite as old as its Bavarian counterparts, Porsche was founded in the late 1940s by Ferdinand Porsche. In 1948, the Porsche 365 was the first model to go into production. Sixteen years later, in 1964, the Porsche 911 rolled off the assembly lines and quickly became a favorite among sports car enthusiasts. In 1975, the model’s turbocharged version became the fastest vehicle in Germany at the time. With the small chassis, powerful engine and refined interior, Porsches are known for their incredible handling, speed and luxuriousness.
For a memorable adventure, head to the Porsche Experience at their headquarters in Stuttgart. Here, you’ll find the factory and corporate offices and a museum with an array of different models on display. Want a little more thrill? You can rent a Porsche for anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. One popular choice is to rent the classic 911 and head toward the Black Forest for a couple of hours. You’ll feel the thrill of driving this incredible car on the autobahn and through the mountains. If you want the track experience, you can book times at their tracks at Hockenheim, Boxberg or Leipzig. Like Audi, Porsche also offers multi-day tours. They have partner tracks in 19 different locations worldwide and have tours and experiences specific to each of these locations.
Can’t choose between the two? Go for both! Being stationed in Germany gives you a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see not only where these stunning cars are made but to test drive them on their home turf. Getting the opportunity to feel the thrill of the rubber meeting the road in such high-performance cars is absolutely worth spending the day at the track.
