Wednesday 27th July 2016

Test drive a supercar at Salon Prive...

...as long as you can afford the entry fee

---

As enjoyable as a day spent looking at rare and expensive cars on a perfectly manicured lawn is, nothing beats actually getting behind the wheel. So that's what the Salon Privé organisers have decided to do.

Yup, anyone who goes along to the 'automotive garden party' this September will be able to book a test drive in a whole range of interesting new machinery - from an Abarth 124 Spider to a Lamborghini Huracan, not to mention the Bentley Bentayga and Morgan's EV3 electric three-wheeler.

It's all part of the 'see it, test drive it' programme which, unlike Goodwood's Moving Motor Show, will actually allow punters to take cars out on public roads.

So how will organisers prevent the hoi polloi turning up and demanding drives in cars worth more than their houses? Simple - the £295 ticket price should take care of that.

"Pre-qualification is completed through the high ticket price of £295," the press releases explains, "which includes full hospitality on the day, as well as pre-approved test drive requests.

"This ensures guests and manufacturer partners are best-suited before the drive."

If you were planning on abandoning your ropey MX-5 in the car park, waving a crumpled £10 note at the man on the gate and having the latest hot supercars at your disposal... sorry, it ain't going to happen.

Not put off by the burly entry fee? You'll be pleased to know all these manufacturers are already signed up: Abarth, Bentley, BMW, Lamborghini, Lexus, Morgan, Overfinch and Tesla.

Lamborghini will be taking along its Huracan in both LP 580-2 hard-top and LP610-4 Spyder drop-top guises, while Tesla will be on-hand with its Model S.

"Salon Privé strives to combine all elements of the lifestyle that owning and buying some of the most important luxury cars offers," explains event co-founder David Bagley. "It makes sense that we put our guests in the driving seat during the event, especially when you consider the location at Blenheim Palace and the manufacturers' cars on display.

"You won't find this engagement with luxury brands anywhere else. So far the take-up for test drives has been amazing, as a large percentage of guests already confirmed for the event have reserved cars to drive. I am sure that this initiative will deliver sales leads for our manufacturer partners, and our guests will enjoy the experience."

Still keen? The show takes place September 1 to September 3, with tickets now on sale. Be quick, at this price they're not expected to hang around. Oh, wait, not that.

[V8 FOU]

Sounds Like good value to me at £295 to drive those cars..

[silentbrown]

V8 FOU said:

Sounds Like good value to me at £295 to drive those cars..

But you won't

The 'show' runs for 7 hours. Assume there are 50 cars available to test, and each 'test' takes 30 minutes. That's 700 tests in the day, but there were over 5,000 visitors in 2014, so you'd have a less than 1 in 7 chance of getting just one drive.

[V8 FOU]

bks.
I wonder what they would make of the Bentley track car?

[DPSFleet]

I have booked for the Friday - keeps the wife happy looking at those Boodles diamonds! Just hope the weather's good.