Stinger: Chevrolet's Sting Ray concept
will star in the new Transformers movie.
By DAVID HASSALL
CHEVROLET yesterday grabbed the spotlight at the Chicago
Auto Show by taking the covers off a dramatic concept car
that is set to star in the forthcoming Transformers II movie.
Based on
one of Chevrolet’s most iconic models, the Chevrolet Sting
Ray Concept will appear on the big screen as a character
called Sideswipe – one of five Chevys starring as Autobots
in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. |
The yellow
Camaro-based character Bumblebee will be reprised from the
original 2007 Transformers movie, but with subtle updates to
match the forthcoming Australian-engineered production
Camaro.
Standing some 5.2 metres tall and 4.0 metres wide, Bumblebee
is also being displayed at the Chicago show. The new Sting
Ray concept car was inspired by the second-generation
Chevrolet Corvette that first appeared in 1963 and featured
an unusual split rear window.
This distinctive tail design led to the introduction of the
Sting Ray name and, although the split window was dropped in
1964 for safety reasons, the car continued in production
until 1967.
The Transformers sequel will premiere in the US in June.
Introducing the Sting Ray at the Chicago show, GM vice-president
Ed Peper said the involvement with the Transformers movie
“serves as a not-so-subtle metaphor for the transformation
going on in Chevy showrooms right now”.
“Chevrolet is constantly looking at new ways to connect with
customers, especially young customers,” said Mr Peper.
“A few years ago we were presented with a unique marketing
opportunity that did just that – the original Transformers
movie – which was a major hit worldwide, breaking box office
records in several countries and becoming one of the top 20
grossing films of all time.
“What you might not know is that after the movie, awareness
for Camaro, one of the vehicle stars of the show, jumped 97
per cent.
“The movie and subsequent DVD sales helped us identify over
a half-million people who are interested in buying a Camaro. |
