Jason Statham and A6 Facelift set to Star in Audi Superbowl Ad

More details have been released on the upcoming 60-second ad that Audi will be airing during the Super Bowl next month.

The ad that Audi will be airing will feature the new supercharged A6 sedan along with Jason Statham, star of the Transporter film series in which the hero drives a...Audi A8.

The ad finds Statham skipping through time, in chase scenes inspired by classic action films of the past few decades, looking for a getaway vehicle that will do the trick for him. Finally, he comes upon the new supercharged A6.

This is the second year in a row in which Audi will run a Super Bowl ad. Last year, it ran a spot on the R8 supercar in a parody of the Godfather film. Audi declared the expensive ad a success, claiming it saw traffic to its website, audiusa.com, triple in the weeks after the commercial aired. The going rate for running an ad during the Super Bowl is about 3 million dollars for 30 seconds.

The new ad was produced by Audi's advertising agency, Venables Bell & Partners of San Francisco, and it was shot on-location in LA.

Super Bowl XLIII takes place in Tampa Bay, Florida on Sunday February 1st and will air on NBC in the US.

Press Release

Audi's new Super Bowl ad, "Chase," defines luxury for the new era

- 60-second creative will star Jason Statham
- Spot will include new supercharged Audi A6 luxury sedan
- Audi is advertising in the Super Bowl for the second year in a row

HERNDON, Va., Jan 21, 2009  -  Audi aims to create as much on-screen excitement in its second Super Bowl ad as the players create on the field. Inspired by iconic Hollywood chase scenes, actor Jason Statham, known for his action-packed roles in the “Transporter” series, “Snatch” and “The Bank Job,” rushes from decade to decade to avoid capture, trying to find a vehicle to aid his getaway. He finds that several other luxury vehicles fail to get the job done. That is, until he finds the supercharged Audi A6, the company’s redesigned, mid-sized luxury sedan. This ad will mark Jason Statham’s first time doing a Super Bowl commercial.

In 2008, Audi placed old luxury on notice with its first Super Bowl ad in nearly 20 years. This year’s spot is a high-speed journey through luxury automobiles in American history, sending the message that some things are best left in the past. Audi chose this trip through history as the theme for its Super Bowl ad to send the message that, in the luxury automotive marketplace, Audi is the most progressive choice.

The new supercharged A6 is the latest in the line of successful new products Audi has introduced in recent years, including the stunning R8 sports car, the A5, the A4 and the TTS, as well as the upcoming Audi Q5 crossover, which will be introduced in the spring of 2009. These models combine to form one of the industry’s most complete and compelling product line-ups. Audi engineers its products to meet the needs of its consumers now and in the future, ensuring that while fads may come and go, Audi is here to stay.

“After an exceptional last two years, the Audi brand has experienced unprecedented growth, not just in sales, but in awareness and excitement,” said Scott Keogh, chief marketing officer, Audi of America. “Every new model we introduce is making more and more consumers stand up and take notice of the single best line-up in the market. Last year’s spot sent the message that Audi was truly redefining luxury. This year’s spot will ensure that everyone realizes that Audi is the best choice, period.”

“In addition to having had the opportunity to drive Audi models in several of my films, I drive one in my personal life, as well. I have always loved the mix of style and performance they offer,” said Statham. “I am thrilled to be affiliated with a company I so believe in on the biggest stage in American television.”

Audi’s advertising agency, San Francisco-based Venables Bell & Partners, created the ad, which was shot on-location in Los Angeles. The agency painstakingly recreated different eras in American history with costuming, lighting, film stock and period-specific automobiles to create a stunning depiction of the different eras explored in the ad. 

ABOUT AUDI OF AMERICA
Audi of America Inc. and its 271 dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. The Audi line-up is one of the freshest in the industry with 23 models, including 12 models launched during model years 2008 and 2009. Audi is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. In selling one million vehicles worldwide in 2008, AUDI AG recorded its 13th consecutive record year for sales growth. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.