Audi of America has released a free racing game for iPhone and iPod touch users up on the iTunes App Store, featuring (what else) its new Audi A4 model. The game is played from a top-down perspective, and has players using two on-screen pedals for accelerating and braking, while steering is done by tilting the device, through the built-in accelerometer.

Audi A4 Driving Challenge uses the iPhone's motion-sensing accelerometer to steer the A4 through a series of progressively challenging courses. Players maneuver three laps on each course, racing against the clock to beat their own personal best time, according to the developers of the game.

How to play:

Steering

Steer your Audi A4 by simply tilting your iPhone to the left or right (like a steering wheel).

Breaking and Acceleration

To accelerate, press the Gas Pedal on the right-hand side of the screen. To slow down, press the Brake Pedal on the left-hand side of the screen. When braking, the car's steering response improves. Use this to your advantage.

Audi of America notes that Audi A4 Driving Challenge "is for entertainment purposes only and does not replicate actual driving experiences".

Most racing games you will find on the App Store are not free. This is because those games are actual 3D titles, which simulate the real driving experience to greater extent than Audi's Driving Challenge game. Being played from a top-down perspective (much like Rockstar's early GTA games), the player's view of the game is quite different from the real thing.

You can visit the App Store right now and download your own copy of Audi A4 Driving Challenge. The only requirements are an iPhone or an iPod touch and firmware 2.0 or later (currently at 2.0.2) for your respective device. To update your iPhone's software to the latest version, click here. To go straight to the Audi A4 Driving Challenge download link, click here.