Same basic events, but with two major changes. First, the Experience has adopted a roadshow-type ethos, with instructors and cars moving around the country from Hampton Downs near Auckland, to Taupo, Manfeild, Ruapuna and the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds (for ice driving) from now until late in October.
The second big change is especially significant. While most similar programmes are available only to a brand's new-car customers - as has been the case for Audi to date - the latest Drive Experience is now open to anybody willing to book a place and pay the fees. A fleet of the latest Audi models is provided.
What it costs depends on what you choose to do. The entry-level Track Experience starts at $550 for a half-day, while Track Experience Pro is $800 for a full day (see audi.co.nz/drive).
The R Experience, with the marque's high-performance machines, is $1999, while Ice Experience at the SHPG costs $2500 to $3500, depending on the course you choose.
It's all good fun and quite useful in sharpening skills. The launch event held at Hampton Downs was typical of a Track Experience programme: a small amount of talking by instructors to start (basics such as seating position and track safety), then lots of hands-on help on the track.
It's never dull.
Many of the simple entry-level driving exercises are still enough to get the adrenalin pumping.
An emergency lane-change on a partially wet surface at 100km/h is enough to throw a car sideways, for example.
Cones die, of course. As does a little bit of self esteem for certain members of the motoring media who have done these courses many times and still find they're not much good at basic car control and listening to instructions.