It is not the car, but the Autovia A-4 from Cadiz to Sevilla. After two days of resting and relaxing at the beautiful coastal and port city of Cadiz, I am driving back to Sevilla to catch a 27-hour train rides to Nice (France), a stop over for my long train journey to Ingolstadt. I find it hard to drive at the speed of the flow of sparse traffic. This 2.0 TDI motor just wants to go like a pack of Eskimo dogs barking impatiently to be let loose to pull the sled. Autovia A-4 is relatively brand new toll road with Autobahn quality.

An Aston Martin DB9 passes me while I am doing 160 km/h on the sixth gear. Without dropping to the fifth gear, I put the pedal against the metal and I see the needle passing 170, 180, 190, and 200 effortlessly. The last 10 km/h requires a bit more time, but finally the needle rests comfortably just a tad beyond 210 km/h. The Garmin Nuvi confirmes that I am traveling at 210 km/h.

I follow the DB9 at a constant distance for 20 minutes or so till the driver no longer wants an A3 as a permanent fixture on his rear view mirror. At top speed, this small A3 feels very solid and confident. The aerodynamics of the car generates plenty of down force for this speed that I feel completely in control. The steering feedback is a race car quality. Needless to say, I arrive 20 minutes earlier than I have planned at Estacio Santa Justa. It gives me plenty of time to look for a gas station to fill up.

I have only filled up 4 times covering 2100 km distance. A quick math based on the total number of liltres of diesel fuel I purchased, I am getting a whopping 34 mpg. And I have been driving fast and up and many mountains. Another benefit of diesel technology that I like. The A3 2.0 TDI is a compact, fast, agile, confident-inspiring, thrilling, and good-looking car.

Saying Good Bye to Spain

As my train leaves the station, I can't help reflecting on my driving vacation. After 8 days driving A3 in Andalusian I feel refreshed and satisfied. It was a great way to finish my one month stay in Spain providing the frosting to my fulfilling time in Madrid and Barcelona. I met many kind and fun loving travelers and residents, drivers and non-drivers, during my last 30 days. Memories I will treasure greatly, friends I will keep in touch.

I have not learned much in life, but I know one think about myself. When I drive through exciting, exhilarating roads, I find a sense of place. I arrive at a non-artificial state where I see ever so clearly how the here and now is so much more meaningful than any other mental fabricated experiences. The pure joy of driving! Now, I am off to Ingolstadts to visit what some consider the place as their mecca.

It is not the car, but the Autovia A-4 from Cadiz to Sevilla. After two days of resting and relaxing at the beautiful coastal and port city of Cadiz, I am driving back to Sevilla to catch a 27-hour train rides to Nice (France), a stop over for my long train journey to Ingolstadt. I find it hard to drive at the speed of the flow of sparse traffic. This 2.0 TDI motor just wants to go like a pack of Eskimo dogs barking impatiently to be let loose to pull the sled. Autovia A-4 is relatively brand new toll road with Autobahn quality.

An Aston Martin DB9 passes me while I am doing 160 km/h on the sixth gear. Without dropping to the fifth gear, I put the pedal against the metal and I see the needle passing 170, 180, 190, and 200 effortlessly. The last 10 km/h requires a bit more time, but finally the needle rests comfortably just a tad beyond 210 km/h. The Garmin Nuvi confirmes that I am traveling at 210 km/h.

I follow the DB9 at a constant distance for 20 minutes or so till the driver no longer wants an A3 as a permanent fixture on his rear view mirror. At top speed, this small A3 feels very solid and confident. The aerodynamics of the car generates plenty of down force for this speed that I feel completely in control. The steering feedback is a race car quality. Needless to say, I arrive 20 minutes earlier than I have planned at Estacio Santa Justa. It gives me plenty of time to look for a gas station to fill up.

I have only filled up 4 times covering 2100 km distance. A quick math based on the total number of liltres of diesel fuel I purchased, I am getting a whopping 34 mpg. And I have been driving fast and up and many mountains. Another benefit of diesel technology that I like. The A3 2.0 TDI is a compact, fast, agile, confident-inspiring, thrilling, and good-looking car.

Saying Good Bye to Spain

As my train leaves the station, I can't help reflecting on my driving vacation. After 8 days driving A3 in Andalusian I feel refreshed and satisfied. It was a great way to finish my one month stay in Spain providing the frosting to my fulfilling time in Madrid and Barcelona. I met many kind and fun loving travelers and residents, drivers and non-drivers, during my last 30 days. Memories I will treasure greatly, friends I will keep in touch.

I have not learned much in life, but I know one think about myself. When I drive through exciting, exhilarating roads, I find a sense of place. I arrive at a non-artificial state where I see ever so clearly how the here and now is so much more meaningful than any other mental fabricated experiences. The pure joy of driving! Now, I am off to Ingolstadts to visit what some consider the place as their mecca.