Join Audi on a 'meditative' Aussie road trip

Feel like hitting the open road during the coronavirus?

Audi has taken a novel approach to bringing the classic road trip to the screens of Australians, releasing a four-hour ‘slow’ TV film that ventures through the picturesque NSW countryside.

Filmed aboard the new Audi A6, ‘The Drive’ takes viewers on an immersive virtual road trip through the NSW Central Tablelands, using multiple camera angles to replicate an authentic road trip – sans servo station junk food.

The film is scored by composer John Hassell, who performed his magic from isolation in Marseille, France. And what’s more, it doesn’t contravene any government travel restrictions.

“With the world confined indoors, Audi is offering a way to reconnect with house-bound Australians through the freedom of the open road,” Audi Australia said in a statement.

“Part of the appeal for using a long, slow TV-style approach was to tap into the zen nature of the genre in a time when people seemingly crave it more than ever – encouraging a moment of calm in an otherwise frantic climate.”

Audi Australia released the four-hour film via its social channels on Monday. According to officials, the film was shot by director Luke Bouchier at Finch and involved a crew of four people – two per vehicle – following the government guidelines at the time.

“’The Drive’ is a digital concept that allows customers to experience the pleasure of the open road from the confines of their home, and to hopefully offer Australians some tranquillity and mental wellbeing during these uncertain and unsettling times,” said Audi Australia chief customer and marketing officer, Nikki Warburton.