29 October 2009 - 11:00
Golf GTI hits the Big App’
One of those milestone moments has arrived. Volkswagen is launching the Mk VI Golf GTI in the States, and doing it solely through an iPhone app. It's the sort of thing that seems insane right now, but in a few years time might just be the advertising norm. Either that or someone is about to get sacked.
The idea does make sense, though. Lean times mean that VW has sought out a cost-effective way of getting the GTI message to as wide and as accurate an audience as possible. Splashing cash up the wall on telly advertising is not only ruinous, but potentially fairly ineffective in terms of who's watching.
A free app, however, in which you get to race the GTI around a track and post your times on Twitter and Facebook, is exactly what VW reckons will ring the demographic bell.
There's even going be an online competition complete with a live leader board and the possibility of winning one of six limited edition GTIs, replete with options like carbon-effect trim and 18-inch wheels.
Real Racing GTI is available to download, but it's one of around 65,000 apps that are now available for the iPhone. An ingenious idea then, but it's a thin line between genius and your P45.
To find out about more stories like this, follow us on Twitter and become a fan of Top Gear on Facebook.
Want to comment on this?
Clever, actually. Not as clever as MadBid though.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Yes, it is based on Real Racing.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
with more and more shit on more and more telly chanells its getting harder & harder to rech your target audience. i am confident this will work. the future of advertising is on the interweb and on iphone apps. well thats wot i told my boss, who incedently wants to see me, oh, He doesent look happy, maybe his iphone ran out of battery, and wants to borrow my charger! y else would he be holding it in a closed fist and waving it in the air?...
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
I hate reality, all the best things I Have (I'm a teenager) are so far computer games and family, so I don't want a virtual VW GTI on my Ipod. I want a real one
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
this is multi-line test. And this and this
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
I have that app but didn't realise they were using it solely to launch the GTi stateside. Typically for a sponsored game no matter how hard you try you can't get a good crash going even if you tip the back of an opponent. Not a bad game though, I can see the Americans liking the GTi, fast and Euro-cool but cheap enough. With the currency though I wonder what else you could get for your money once it's imported?
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Probably a good idea. Has anyone seen Volkswagen's latest TV advert for the Polo? Its just generic garbage! A million miles away from the cool stuff they used to do.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
They've integrated the free GTi app into the proper Real Racing through an update now. It sticks out a bit alongside the generic brand-less cars that normally inhabit the game.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
So thát's why they got those overstated floppy-clownbootlike wheels! So they're still visible on small screens... How clever... If I did buy one, I'd ditch those alloys on the first day. Unpimp my ride.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Advertisement
Advertisement feature
Discover the new Insignia VXR
The Vauxhall Insignia VXR is in showrooms now. To read more about the car and for your chance to win an iPod Touch, click here.
Test Driven
.jpg?p=080926_03:52)
Audi TT Roadster
Forget the hyperdrive quattro versions. This honest, no frills TT is one of the best you can buy.
Advertisement
Open Car Bar
tohafat commented on this article
29 October 2009
is it based on Real Racing?
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.