Audi and Marvel Studios Partner for 'Avengers: Age of Ultron'

Just as James Bond had his Aston Martins, so Tony Stark has his Audis. Marvel's highly anticipated film, "Avengers: Age of Ultron" debuts May 1, 2015. Tony Stark, alias Ironman, and his motley crew of genetically modified superheroes will fight to defend humanity from Ultron, the ingenious roboticist hell-bent on sending the Earth swimming across the Styx.

The film is the fourth installment of the Iron Man franchise, a franchise in which Audi has been an integral member since the beginning. In the original 2008 "Iron Man," Renaissance man Tony Stark drove a sizzling 2009 Audi R8 supercar. In "Iron Man 3," Stark upgraded to the Audi R8 e-tron. Other Audis have made their film appearances in the films as well, including the racy R8 Spyder, the luxurious A8L, the sophisticated S7 Sportback and the dashing Q7.

For the latest film, Audi intends to showcase the best of the lineup. Corporate spokesman and Director of Marketing for Audi of America Loren Angelo says, "After eight years of successful partnerships with Marvel, Audi aligns with the evolving narrative of the Tony Stark character to showcase the all-new, re-designed 2016 R8." Other iconic models playing film roles include the redesigned 2015 Audi TTS and the 2015 A3 Cabriolet.

Stephen Cohen, Vice President of Worldwide Partnerships, chimed in, "Just as Tony Stark has outfitted the Avengers with cutting edge technology, Audi has done the same for their consumers year after year." The 2015 Audi R8, available with a 430-horsepower V-8 or one of two 525-plus-horsepower V-10 engines, puts its competitors to shame. Equipped with standard Quattro All-Wheel Drive and an adaptive suspension, the mid-engined R8 drives like a car twice its cost.

Tony Stark and the rest of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, however, have Stan Lee and Hollywood on their side. Outside of Hollywood, not everyone can afford – yet – an exotic German supercar. Into that void step two other vehicles: the Audi TTS Coupe and A3 Cabriolet.

Fitted with a 265-horsepower turbocharged engine, Audi magnetic ride and a dual-clutch automated manual transmission, the Audi TTS Coupe may be the only thing able to keep pace with the film franchise. It can sprint to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds and comes with standard heated power-adjustable seats and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

"The character Tony Stark continues to evolve and represents a truly modern renaissance man – an industrialist, engineer and leader," says Head of Marketing Communication at Audi AG Giovanni Perosino. "It's this type of innovator that carefully selects their cars."

Topless and beautiful, the four-passenger 2015 Audi A3 convertible boasts signature Audi style and generous cargo space. A neck-heating system and windshield air deflector help keep occupants cozy during colorful autumn drives.

Iron Man and the other Avengers share more with Audi than taste in automobiles. "Our overriding strategic goal," says the automobile manufacturer "is to develop Audi into the world's leading brand in the premium automobile segment." Pundits predict that "Avengers: Age of Ultron" may break its old records as well, raking in $217 million during opening weekend, and reaping more than $1 billion over its global lifespan.

Excited movie-goers must wait until May 2015 to watch the second Avengers installment. Audi fans, however, can sign up for a test drive today.