Four-rings Brand Features 2014 Audi R8 in 50 Shades of Grey

2014 audi r8 ・ Photo by Volkswagen of America

No doubt hoping to whip up interest in cars like the 2014 Audi R8, the Audi brand recently announced a new partnership with Universal Pictures and the upcoming film "50 Shades of Grey." Now, that might seem a surprising choice, but as some readers are bound to know, the four-rings brand actually enjoys a fairly high profile in E.L. James' best-selling 50 Shades book series. In fact, a quick spin around the ol' Internet shows that the main characters, Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, drive a 2014 Audi R8 and A3, respectively.

Said Loren Angelo, director of Marketing for Audi of America: “It was a natural fit for Audi to be a part of ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ as it’s brought to life in theaters. Audi is a brand that symbolizes performance, technology and modern design. The natural inclusion of our hottest models in this series illustrates how Audi has become truly synonymous with sophisticated luxury.”

A particularly dominant force is the 2014 Audi R8 V10 Spyder featured in the film, with that car able to run from 0-60 in just 3.4 seconds and then continue on to a top speed of 195 mph. Also, along with the 2014 Audi R8 and Ms. Steele's "special" A3, the movie provides noticeable screen time for the Audi S8, the brand's hi-po sedan flagship; the Audi Q7 three-row SUV, now leading the brand in year-to-date growth (with sales up 21.9 percent); and the sleek S7 "five-door coupe," serving up S line performance in a noticeably streamlined and stylish package.

Added Giovanni Perosino, head of Marketing Communication at AUDI AG: “We are happy to continue our strong partnership with the film industry with this highly-anticipated project, especially after already being part of the bestselling novel,”

Fifty Shades of Grey is scheduled to be released Feb. 13, 2015.