Just a six-hour flight from Singapore, BMW’s Korean “theme park” lets drivers indulge safely in thrills and spills.
Forget the roller-coaster rides in Lotte World. South Korea’s newly opened BMW Driving Centre, located in Incheon, is a more exciting “roller coaster” for the driving enthusiast.
Just 10 minutes by car from Incheon International Airport (a six-hour flight from Singapore) and one hour out from the heart of the capital Seoul, the US$75.5 million “playground” for petrolheads is the German automaker’s third such facility after similar ones in Germany and the United States. It takes up a space equivalent to 33 football fields, and its six driving “tracks” include a 2.6-kilometre circuit.
The centre’s integrated concept means there are brand-related exhibits and product showcases (like in a car dealership). The driving programmes, using an extensive fleet of BMW and MINI models, are the biggest draws, of course.
From just 30,000 won (S$37), you can enjoy a “Crazy Taxi” experience in a crazily powerful BMW M5. The driver, who might look like a K-pop idol (in my case, at least), would take you on smoking hot laps on the circuit.
Bite-sized, 60-minute Challenge courses (from 60,000 won or $75) are also available if you wish to sample the different rides. They let you practise fundamentals, such as braking and cornering, before finishing off with guided laps on track.
The more serious enthusiast can book a comprehensive eight-hour Advanced session (which starts from 800,000 won or S$1000). You’ll pick up nifty driving skills from seriously talented instructors, who are all former racing drivers.
The cars that you can play with at the facility cover virtually the entire model range of BMW and its MINI subsidiary.
The choices include so-called “Aesthetic” models such as the BMW 3 and 5 Series saloons, “Dynamic” models such as the 4 Series coupe and MINI Cooper pocket rockets, and “Exclusive” models such as the 7 Series limousine. In addition to these vehicles, there are high-performance, extremely speedy M cars you can flog on the track.
Going off the beaten track is also possible, with the 30-minute Off-Road Experience. For 50,000 won (S$62), you get to hop into a BMW X5 sports utility vehicle and take it through a series of off-road obstacles. Driving almost sideways on a slope, with a wheel or two in the air, is quite a “great outdoors” experience for urbanites like me.
During Korea’s coldest winter months of January and February, visitors can opt for the Snow Basic course (100,000 won or S$125), which imparts the finer points of driving (or drifting) on snow. I lived out my rally driver fantasies and learnt how to maintain control on slippery roads.
BMW Driving Centre in Korea is open to the public, which would include tourists from overseas (on a holiday or a long layover). You don’t need to own a BMW or MINI, but you have to book in advance, as there are limited slots per day. Reservations can be made online at www.bmw-driving-center.co.kr.
Interestingly, the centre conducts breathalyser tests on participants before they can commence their chosen driving courses. After all, (soju) drink driving is a no-no in South Korea.
Experts urge S’porean motorists to prepare before going on driving holidays
