General Motors: The Ride

[mikeyb]

Car company opens a test-track facility in Las Vegas. Visitors can buy tickets to drive GM cars

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - If the stock price is too depressing, try the rides. General Motors is taking another step into the world of interactive entertainment with the opening of the "The Drive" in Las Vegas. Ticket-buying visitors will be able to drive GM vehicles on sharply winding test tracks near the famous Las Vegas Strip.

<!--startclickprintexclude--><!--endclickprintexclude--><SCRIPT language=JavaScript><!--var clickExpire = "-1";//--></SCRIPT>A paved route is designed for high-performance driving while another route is covered in dirt and rocks for off-road driving. Part of the off-road route, designed specifically for Hummers, includes a 15-foot "mountain," giant moguls, and v-shaped ditches with deeply sloped banks.
<!--startclickprintexclude--><TABLE style="PADDING-LEFT: 10px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=220 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=IErow align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=220 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>http://money.cnn.com/2006/04/05/Autos/gm_ride/gm_the_drive_solstice.jpg</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Pontiac Solstice on GM's "The Drive" course.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!--endclickprintexclude-->

For one $10 ticket, visitors will get a choice of four laps on the performance loop, two laps on the off-road course or a combination of two performance laps and one off-road lap. A professional driver rides along in every car.
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"'The Drive' represents a significant marketing opportunity for General Motors, allowing us to showcase our products in a unique fashion that will provide a fun-filled time for the millions of people who live in or visit Las Vegas," said Steve Tihanyi, general director of marketing and entertainment alliances for GM, in a company announcement.
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The cars initially available to drive will be the Chevrolet Corvette, Pontiac GTO, Cadillac CTS-V performance sedan, Pontiac Solstice two-seat convertible, Saab 9-3 convertible and the Chevrolet SSR high-performance pick-up, as well as the Hummer H2, Hummer H2 SUT and Hummer H3.
<!--startclickprintexclude--><!--endclickprintexclude-->Drivers must be 18 years of age, sign a safety waiver and pass a zero-tolerance breathalyzer test.

"The Drive" is scheduled to open to the public on April 10.
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"It's kind of a huge learning lab for us," Tihanyi told CNNMoney.com in an interview.
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"The Drive" is a test for the company to see how this kind of experience works in a permanent environment, he said. Currently, the company puts on "Auto Show in Motion" events at various major cities during the year. Those events feature closed-course test drives of GM cars and competing vehicles.
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General Motors already sponsors a different type of ride in Disney World's Epcot Center in Orlando, Fla. That ride, called "Test Track," opened in 1999 and simulates the experience of testing a car at GM's various proving facilities. At Epcot Center, riders are shuttled around in electric-powered cars on a slot-car-like track accompanied by piped-in automobile sounds.
<!--startclickprintexclude--><!--endclickprintexclude-->"Test Track" riders go through various simulated tests including extreme heat, extreme cold, fast acceleration and hard braking with and without anti-lock brakes. They are also treated to a simulated crash test.

source:http://money.cnn.com/2006/04/05/Autos/gm_ride/index.htm
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[CasopoliS]

My guess is the professional has some control over the vehicle. Good place to beat-up a GM though.

[mikeyb]

My guess is the professional has some control over the vehicle. Good place to beat-up a GM though.

I think its about time GM did something like this so people can see how their vehicles handle and perform. A professional rides along. When we bought our 05 LGT which is now gone, the Subaru dealer had a test drive course out in the woods to see have the vehicle oerform.

[dbzeag]

This is a very wise move actually. You can flush out any more bugs from the cars by having real people work on them hard. It's almost like cheap testing (actually since they are paying, it is very cheap for GM).

I commend GM for this move. I was blown away by the Jeep stand at the auto show in Cleveland because every one of their cars was piloted by a professional but it was driven over an obstacle course day in and day out. This really left a good impression to me about Jeep and it's abilities. I feel GM can get a similar reaction with this "attraction"

[romecandleboy]

Didn't GM open an amusement park in Flint, MI which subsequently closed down a few months later?

[dbzeag]

Didn't GM open an amusement park in Flint, MI which subsequently closed down a few months later?
Didn't GM built good cars but subsequently stopped about 30 years ago? ;)

[tsunami]

cool... my dad is going to be in vegas for the NAB convention in a week or two.. i just sent him the link hopefully he will be able to go check it out.

[Raynman]

No need to go to Vegas. I beat up GM cars whenever I rent them. LOL

Nothing improves a car's performance like rental papers in the glove compartment.

[Roywhitep5]

Didn't GM open an amusement park in Flint, MI which subsequently closed down a few months later? i think the city opened that. i had to watch that documenty in econ. the funniest part was how when michael moore was sitting in the chair and that lady put a pink sweater on him and my whole class gasped
(omg)

[mp3moose]

wow, best GM idea in 15 years.

[SilverBulletES]

Hmmm... just around the corner.... sound good.... FOR ME TO POOP ON!

Nah, I think it could be cool-- $10 to do it. Palm the 'professional' a $20 to look the other way (like any club in Vegas).... then I'd rag the hell out of a Vette or Solstice for 30 bucks.

[SilverBulletES]

Nothing improves a car's performance like rental papers in the glove compartment.

Excellent point. (first)