Acura and Marvel Entertainment Announce Exclusive Co-Promotion Campaign for Marvel’s The Avengers

04/05/2012 - TORRANCE, Calif.
Acura and Marvel Entertainment, LLC, announced today the details of their promotional campaign for this summer's most anticipated film, Marvel's The Avengers. Following the luxury automaker's integration with THOR last summer, Acura is building on its established role as the official vehicle of S.H.I.E.L.D.

S.H.I.E.L.D., the international peacekeeping agency of the Marvel Universe, has a leading role in this film portrayal of the iconic comic book series. Throughout Marvel's The Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D. agents drive various Acura vehicles, including the MDX, ZDX and TL models; the completely redesigned 2013 RDX will make a cameo appearance. In addition, an Acura convertible sports car was created specifically for the film.

"Acura is developing an impressive second chapter as the official vehicle of the cutting-edge S.H.I.E.L.D. organization, enabling us to reinforce Acura's brand philosophy of innovation and advancement, and leverage excitement for the new ILX, RDX and NSX supercar concept product news announced earlier this year," said Susie Rossick, Acura Brand Manager.

Acura kicked off its campaign with Marvel at the New York Auto Show on April 4, 2012, where a militarized S.H.I.E.L.D.-Edition MDX was on display with a S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Product Specialist. S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent street teams are scheduled at PAX East, Boston and C2E2, Chicago.

As the exclusive automotive sponsor of the world premiere of Marvel's The Avengers on April 11 at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, a surprise special stunt is planned to make an impactful, red-carpet entrance. A fleet of Acura vehicles will also be used as talent transportation during the premiere.

The hub of Acura's national advertising campaign for Marvel's The Avengers, http://www.SHIELDops.com, allows fans to immerse themselves in the world of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Marvel's The Avengers. Users can rise within the ranks of S.H.I.E.L.D. by testing Avengers-inspired technology mounted to S.H.I.E.L.D.-Edition Acura vehicles. The tests take place within different combat simulation environments that correspond with the four main characters: Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America and Thor. As users attain a specific S.H.I.E.L.D. rank, they earn the chance to win movie passes and S.H.I.E.L.D. gear, including a branded tactical flashlight, a replica Acura convertible sports car (created for and featured in Marvel's The Avengers) and a virtual keyboard. The grand prize is an all-expense-paid Tony Stark-inspired trip to New York City.
Social media will be leveraged throughout the campaign to recruit fans to test their skills at http://www.SHIELDops.com. The Acura.com Avengers section will also feature Marvel's The Avengers content, including trailers and movie stills.

The advertising campaign, developed by Acura's agency of record, rp&, a division of RPA, is composed of a multiplatform media buy, retail tie-ins and national ABC screenings of Marvel's The Avengers with after-parties in select markets. The entirely new 2013 Acura RDX will be featured throughout the campaign, including a 30-second TV spot which incorporates the new vehicle with scenes from Marvel's The Avengers. The spot, "Re-re-routed," http://www.acura.com/Avengers.aspx, begins April 16 on spot TV, cable and sports.
Unique S.H.I.E.L.D.-themed videos will run on comic and entertainment websites such as Marvel and Rotten Tomatoes and will drive traffic to http://www.SHIELDops.com.

In addition, more than 130 Acura dealers will be hosting pre-release screenings of Marvel's The Avengers in early May in their respective markets.

About Marvel's The Avengers
Marvel Studios presents "Marvel's The Avengers"—the team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster.

Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Tom Hiddleston, with Stellan Skarsgård and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, directed by Joss Whedon, from a story by Zak Penn and Joss Whedon with screenplay by Joss Whedon, "Marvel's The Avengers" is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series "The Avengers," first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when "Marvel's The Avengers" assemble in summer 2012.

"Marvel's The Avengers" is presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures. The film is being produced by Marvel Studios' President Kevin Feige and executive produced by Alan Fine, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, Louis D'Esposito, Patricia Whitcher, Victoria Alonso and Jeremy Latcham. The film releases May 4, 2012, and is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit www.marvel.com.

About AcuraAcura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 272 dealers within the United States. The Acura lineup features six distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX Sport Wagon and sedan, the RDX luxury crossover SUV, the MDX luxury sport utility vehicle and the ZDX four-door sports coupe.

About rp&
rp& is a full-service marketing communications division of RPA, headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif. Established in 2008, rp& has been responsible for the development of all Acura National, Regional, Online, Direct Mail and Event Marketing communications. For more information, visit http://rp-and.com/.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/acura-automobiles-headlines/releases/acura-and-marvel-entertainment-announce-exclusive-co-promotion-campaign-for-marvel-s-the-avengers

Images and Specs for Tony Stark’s $9 Million Car from THE AVENGERS; Vehicle Includes Nightvision Windshield and More

Awesome..... I'd like to put a $500 deposit on one of these....
This year sees the culmination of four years of Marvel superhero movies, as the studio’s principal characters unite for May’s The Avengers. As the release is looming closer, the marketing campaign for the film seems to be ramping up. We’re starting to get looks at the film’s action figures, and the stars recently graced the cover(s) of Empire Magazine. Steve is currently braving the snow in Park City at the Sundance Film Festival, and he stumbled across a fairly ingenious bit of marketing for the film. Tony Stark’s new Acura is on display behind a closed-door setup at the festival, and the vehicle comes with some pretty fantastic features.
The 2012 Stark Industries Super Car comes fully equipped with a palm-scan ID steering wheel, enviro-clone projected hologram of surroundings, self-detonating recon drone, night-vision HUD windshield, and oh so much more. Hit the jump to see the full list of features, and to check out some photos of this $9,198,000 car that gets 234 mpg. The Avengers opens in 3D May 4th.
Here’s the specs of the car according to Acura:

Acura 2012 Stark Industries Super Car
Tactical Package
Standard Equipment at No Extra Cost
Operating/Durability Features:
Palladium-powered 80,000 TOHC 32-valve engine with titanium-forged block and nitrous fuel-injection system.
9 Speed HYPER-Shift transmission
Diamond quartz cross-drilled brake calipers
Steering wheel with palm-scan ID
Lithium Dioxide-injecting shocks
Reflex-response steering column with target guidance feedback
Super-scan theft-deterrent modulator

Defense Systems:
Info-net sensory tracker system
Invisa-shield exo-system wave modifier
Enviro-clone projected hologram of surroundings
Thermal imaging topography mapping software
Emergency homing beacon
Self-detonating recon drone

Exterior Features
Adavanced radar-deflecting capabilities with wave modifier
Bullet- and foreign element-proof clear coat and metal skin
Night-vision HUD windshield
Bulletproof hyper-traction tires
High-grade tint with radar bounce and jam capabilities
Intermittent blue and red tech flashers in all light assemblies
Underbody kit with aero-dynamic spoiler lip
Black-night painted-wheels with particle matter technology

Tactical Package
Anti-ballistic shielding body panels
Incoming scan scrambler
Low-density plasma emitters with UV flares
Encrypted computer with backup-powered interface and satellite link

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $9,198,000.00
Tax: $22,364
License and Registration: $6, 782
Destination Fee: $1,854
Total Vehicle Price: $9,229,000.00
Palladium Power Estimates:
City Miles – 234
Highway Miles – 302

Source;
http://collider.com/avengers-movie-tony-stark-car-images/140630/

Honda NSX Eco-Friendly Supercar – A Sneak Peek

When it comes to all things cutting edge, and includes motorsports, there is not much Honda has not done. However, Honda may have outdone themselves with their latest “supercar”. Set to be released in 2014 the new Honda NSX or as many know it Acura NSX, well lets just say it is bound to be a success. The eco-friendly supercar will feature a 3.5 liter V6 rear wheel drive powerplant. For anyone that is a car buff probably saw the debut of this gem in 01 at the tokyo motor show. Along with the RWD V6, Honda will also include electric motors to help drive the front wheels, which the theory in itself is quite unique.

But, good people thats not all. For those who want a super car that is hybrid friendly, Honda is also thinking about a plug-in system for some spare lithium ion batteries, just in case you get stranded somewhere with no power. For now though we must wait for the release which is another 3 years away. Make sure to catch a peek either on a search engine or in Robert Downey Jr.s newest movie “The Avengers”.

Source;
http://stupiddope.com/2011/10/07/honda-nsx-concept-a-sneak-peek/

Rumours: Honda NSX returns

Avengers movie car previews new supercar. It’ll get new V6 engine with twin electric motors

By Peter Lyon

The legendary Honda NSX supercar is back. These spy shots, taken on the set of the new Avengers movie, show a new Acura-badged Audi R8-sized supercar that previews a successor to the NSX.
Acura is Honda’s US-only luxury brand and the sports car was spotted in Central Park, New York, with actor Robert Downey Jr at the wheel. Its appearance is hugely significant for fans keen to see Honda return to the supercar arena.
Honda CEO Takanobu Ito recently hinted at the NSX’s revival, when he revealed: “We’re making progress with plans for an exotic sports car.” And six months ago, Ito said Honda was keen to relaunch a high-performance sports car like the NSX.
A Honda source told us that the Dual Note 4WD hybrid concept from the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show was our first glimpse at the technology that will underpin the NSX. It used a 3.5-litre V6 to drive the rear wheels and in-wheel electric motors to turn the fronts, generating over 400bhp.
Ten years later, Honda is still perfecting the technology. A source said: “Honda wants to build a supercar that breaks the mould while creating a new technological package.”
Honda is working on a VTEC V6 engine of between 3.5 to 3.7 litres, while the twin electric motor set-up will be powered by lithium-ion batteries and employ a plug-in recharge system for a small electric-only range. The result will be huge amounts of torque, but also the high-revving character Hondas are famous for.
The car will also have a weight-saving aluminium body, and is set to go sale by 2014, priced at a Nissan GT-R-rivalling £65,000.
Source;

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/273565/honda_nsx_returns.html#ixzz1a0bFcanO

Woodyscarsite: What would the Avengers 'one-of' look like in production form?

Last week we saw the new Avengers movie Acura Supercar. Acura has said that this is going to be a one of made specifically for the movie and www.woodyscarsite.com managed to get a hold of an illustration as to what the car could look like if it were under production. I've got to say, looks nice!

Source;
http://www.woodyscarsite.com/2011/09/hondaacura-nsx.html

Tony Stark trades his Audi for mystery Acura in The Avengers (UPDATED)

No, it's not the next gen NSX....
Next summer, when The Avengers opens to packed multiplexes, playboy billionaire Tony Stark will be rolling in a trick new ride. After driving an Audi R8 in the two Iron Man features, Stark apparently switches to a never-before-seen Acura sports car (in keeping with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s use of all Acura vehicles, as seen in this summer's Thor and Captain America films).

The new ride appears in a series of on-set photos published at SuperHeroHype.com (borrowed from WENN.com) showing Robert Downey, Jr. standing next to it as Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Tom Hiddleston (Loki) look on. Another shot, posted at WorstPreviews.com (we've posted a cropped version here), shows the mystery Acura convertible by itself, parked on the set in New York's Central Park.

Note to the spoiler-averse: the WorstPreviews.com report explicitly details the scenes that were filmed, and they're reportedly for the the conclusion of the movie. So, you've been warned.We also have a note in to Acura to see if they'll give up any other information. We'll update the post accordingly if and when we know more.

UPDATE: Acura spokesman Gary Robinson has gotten back to us. Follow the jump to see what he had to say.

In an email to Autoblog, Acura's Gary Robinson said the following:

"As you may know, Acura has been in the Marvel Comics Universe films as the official car of their fictional law enforcement agency called S.H.I.E.L.D. That relationship continues for The Avengers.

The open-top sports car that was photographed yesterday is a one-off, fictional car that was made just for the movie and will not be produced.

That said, as you may also know, our CEO has said publicly that we are studying the development of a new sportscar, but we can't say any more about it at this time."

Mr. Robinson also said that he's unable to tell us any specifics about the use of the car in the film beyond what's suggested in the photos, and that Acura itself won't know the full extent of the car's appearance in The Avengers until the film's release next spring.

News Source: SuperHeroHype, WorstPreviews.com, W.E.N.N.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/03/tony-stark-trades-his-audi-for-an-acura-in-the-avengers/