I Can't Wait: GM Opens Hands-On Las Vegas Driving Attraction

As you may have seen in earlier entries, I've spent a lot of time recently in Las Vegas. Now I have something new to look forward to. On April 10, General Motors opens "The Drive" in Las Vegas,  a first-of-its-kind "autotainment" experience. Finally, the general public will get to experience some of the thrill that professional drivers (and even automotive journalists) experience.

“The Drive” features a high-performance loop and an off-road adventure on 11 acres adjacent to the Sahara Hotel & Casino. The  performance course features a half-mile paved route with hairpin turns. The Off-Road course has two adventure trails. The main trail (for HUMMERs) features a 15-foot mountain to traverse, intensely sloped banks, v-ditches, giant moguls and aggressive obstacles to climb. A secondary trail (for trucks and SUVs) presents slighter- sloped banks, a dirt hill, moguls and obstacles.

What can you drive? GM cars and trucks, of course. The performance course include: the Chevy Corvette coupe and convertible; Pontiac GTO, Cadillac CTS-V; Pontiac Solstice roadster; Cadillac STS-V; Saab 9-3 convertible; and Chevy SSR. On the first Off-Road trail, course drivers choose from HUMMER H2, HUMMER H2 SUT and mid-size HUMMER H3. The second trail will feature the 2007 Cadillac Escalade, 2006 Chevy Silverado Diesel and the 2007 Chevy Tahoe. Select vehicles will be E85 FlexFuel- compatible.

Buick and Saturn vehicles will come later.

Tickets are $10 (a bargain in Las Vegas, truly. They're available through Vegas.com). For that you get:

• Two experiences on the performance course (four laps), or
• Two experiences on the off-road course (two laps), or
• One experience on the performance course (two laps) plus one experience on the off-road course (one lap).

Why do I think this is awesome? Because most people never get the chance to really test out what a vehicle is truly capable of. They don't get the chance to attend performance driving school. While some do go off-roading, they don't get to "do it all" in a compact space such as this,  without risking their own car or, more importantly, their safety.

Of course, GM's goal here is to show off their cars and trucks in a "no pressure" environment. Good for them for finding a creative marketing opportunity. Nothing helps sell a car than having the thrill of your life in one.

Ladies (and gents), if you go to Vegas (and I know millions of you do), do this. It'll give you a real thrill and real sense of accomplishment as well.

Posted by

Joanne Helperin April 6, 2006, 11:56 AM

Permalink

Categories:

• 
• 
• 
•