Top 7 Audi Appearances in Popular Culture
Cars are a central part of modern life. You can find Audis everywhere in popular culture if you know where to look.
1. Tony Stark's Audi R8 in Iron Man
Who knew that Iron Man would become such a massive hit? Regardless, Audi probably could not have predicted the major waves they would create for themselves when they gave the license for Marvel's superhero Tony Stark to drive an R8 in the surprise megahit. His obvious superhero status aside, Tony Stark is presented in the film as a manifestation of all that is cool and hip. The association between Audi and a major superhero helped rub off some of that cool vibe on the car. Not that it was lacking any, to begin with.
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2. The Avengers: Age of Ultron
Iron Man was only the start of a blossoming relationship. Audi has been trying to get their cars in every major franchise lately, and it only made sense that Audi would be seen in Marvel's superhero extravaganza series, the Avengers. It's interesting to note that Tony Stark drives a different Audi model when he's with the Avengers than when he's having an adventure of his own.
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3. The Fast and the Furious Series
It comes as no surprise that Audi would be featured in a series that centers around sleek cars and fast driving. What people may not know is that when director Justin Lin approached Audi for models to be featured in the series' third installment Tokyo Drift, Audi outright refused. Not only that, but they said they wouldn't allow Audis in the film, even if they were purchased for the film at full price. That decision has obviously been rescinded for subsequent episodes, but it's interesting that feelings were once different on a very successful marketing move for the brand.
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4. I, Robot
I, Robot, the adaptation of the story by Isaac Asimov, fared well with critics and audiences. It was also completely rife with product placement, not excluding appearances from the Audi itself. Will Smith's police detective character can be seen driving around a futuristic Audi throughout the film. Although the car itself would have been most likely out of the character's paygrade, there's no doubt that the marketing decision was a success. Audi's brand image enjoyed a significant boost in the eyes of US filmgoers in the months following I, Robot's release.
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5. Fifty Shades of Grey
In this film adapted from the romantic drama written by E.L James, the billionaire Christian Grey is seen owning multiple Audis. This makes the association between lavish luxury, mysteriousness, and adventure. Having Audis in such a film also opened up the brand to female demographics who are harder to reach with product placements.
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6. The Audi Fleet Shuttle Quattro in Ender's Game
Ender's Game is a film adapted from the popular science fiction novel by Orson Scott Card. Although much of the film takes place in space, Audi became involved in the film by designing a special "Audi Fleet Shuttle Quattro" for use in the film's vision of the future. While it wasn't necessarily promoting a product per se, associating the Audi name with futuristic space tech could spark positive feelings towards the automaker when filmgoers leave the theatre.
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7. The Muppets
Kermit the Frog helped to promote knowledge of Audi's sponsorship of the Emmys. In a skit where Kermit and Miss Piggy have had an argument in a restaurant, he goes outside feeling disgruntled. Sighing, he lets out his signature catchphrase: "It's not easy being green." This humorously cuts to a shot of actor Joel McHale ("Community") beside a hybrid Audi responding coolly: "Yes it is." The seamless blend from a comedy skit to an advert for Audi's A3 plug-in hybrid was deft and as clever as any car ad around.
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