It seems stylin’ cars and videogames are a match made in heaven, as Nissan has partnered with EA to debut the all-new 2009 Nissan 370Z not on a racetrack, but in Need for Speed: Undercover when it releases on November 18.
While this is certainly a treat for Need for Speed fans, the real life car will make an appearance at the Los Angeles Auto Show only a day later, so the announcement itself won’t remain exclusive to the gaming world for very long.
Nissan Marketing VP Christian Meunier says that the 370Z has been integrated into the game in a “meaningful, multi-layered and profound way,” which I couldn’t help but chuckle at.
Prove me wrong guys, prove me wrong.
Get Behind the Wheel of the all-new 2009 Nissan 370Z Eight Weeks
Before the Car Hits Dealerships
Redwood City, CA. – October 29, 2008 – EA and Nissan shift into
high-gear this holiday! The Need for Speed series continues the
tradition of featuring the most desirable cars as Black Box, a studio
of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) and Nissan today revealed the
highly-anticipated all-new 2009 Nissan 370Z. This marks the first time
an auto manufacturer has partnered with a videogame company for the
world premiere reveal of a car. The Nissan Z* will be available
exclusively in this holiday’s hottest action driving title, Need for
Speed(tm) Undercover, available in North America on November 18 and in
Europe on November 21.
“For the past 15 years, Need for Speed has helped define contemporary
automotive culture by bridging the gap between gamers and the world’s
hottest cars. As such, we are very excited to partner with one of the
automotive powerhouses today to exclusively reveal the all-new Nissan
Z*,” said Keith Munro, Vice President of Marketing at Electronic Arts.
“Need for Speed is about style, fast-paced action and power; this is
definitely a car made for Need for Speed fans. Come November, they’ll
be able to test drive the all-new 370Z in the game before the car is
released on the market.”
“Our relationship with EA has been instrumental in bringing the Nissan
brand to a passionate and unique audience,” says Christian Meunier,
Vice President, Nissan Marketing. “By launching the all-new 2009
Nissan Z* first through Need for Speed Undercover, we also gain the
spirit and energy that EA gamers experience so strongly. Together
with EA, we have truly integrated the all-new 370Z in the overall game
experience in a meaningful, multi-layered and profound way.”
With the signature boomerang headlights and taillights to the enhanced
powertrain, Need for Speed Undercover designers worked closely with
Nissan to accurately replicate the overall look, feel and performance
of the all-new Nissan Z*. From the game’s opening moment, players will
be thrust right into the action with gamers whipping the 370Z
in-and-out of traffic at high speed.
The all-new 2009 Nissan 370Z is a super evolution of the iconic Nissan
Z*, building on the strengths of it’s predecessor, finding the sports
car “sweet spot” in performance, style, and value. The 2009 Nissan Z
marks the first full redesign of the Nissan Z* since its
reintroduction as a 2003 model.
The all-new 2009 Nissan 370Z Coupe will be unveiled at the Los Angeles
Auto Show on November 19, hitting dealerships in early 2009.
Need for Speed Undercover takes players back to the franchise’s roots
and re-introduces break-neck cop chases and spectacular highway
battles. Players discover a world of high-stakes and high-speed action
in some of the world’s hottest cars. The all-new Heroic Driving Engine
propels the action forward as players experience the dramatic story
through spectacular Hollywood-style live-action in-game movies.
Need for Speed Undercover is being developed by Black Box in
Vancouver, B.C. The game will be available for Xbox 360(R) video game
and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment
system, and Wii(tm) as well as the PlayStation(R)2 computer
entertainment system, Nintendo DS(tm), PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)
Portable) handheld entertainment system, PC and mobile. More
information can be found at www.needforspeed.com.
