Jalopnik: jason statham

Audi "Chase" Super Bowl Commercial: The Full Version

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:30:00 EST

We previewed the 30-second version of this year's Audi Super Bowl commercial and now we have the full version, with Jason Statham piloting luxury sedans through four decades below.

1970s: Mercedes Benz 280SE 4.5 v. Lincoln Mark V	1980s: BMW 5-Series v. Pontiac Trans Am
1990s: Lexus ES v. GMC Suburban	2000s: Audi S6 v. Buell Ulysses

This was certainly the direct-from-an-automaker ad with the highest production costs of Super Bowl XLIII, bringing out a popular action star and spending most of the time focusing on other luxury brands. Of course, they crashed a Lincoln into a Mercedes, threw a Bimmer through a billboard, scoffed at a Lexus ES (our favorite part) and then outrun some bikes in a "supercharged A6" before going... somewhere. The story is never fully explained but, honestly, isn't really the point. Enjoy.

[Source: Hulu, Audi]

Audi "Chase" Super Bowl Commercial Hits Internet Early

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:30:00 EST

Audi's new Super Bowl commercial starring Jason Statham and called "The Chase" has leaked onto the Internet. This appears to be the 30-second cut of the commercial, with possibly a longer version out there.

From what we can see from the video, and previews we've seen, the spot shows Jason Statham running away from someone through the 70s, 80s and 90s until arriving in the Audi in the present. It's basically saying "Yeah, these other German guys were cool once, but we're what's happening now." The longer spot will probably flesh out the story so we'll withhold the full "Super Bowl Ad Watch" judgment until it runs or we get a full spot. In the meantime, the video is below:

New Transporter 3 Trailer Offers Up Tasty Audi A8 Footage

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:40:00 EDT

We've already told you that Transporter 3 is headed for theaters at the end of November. Today a new trailer's been released that opens up a little more on the plot and provides some solid stunt-driving action. Back again is the Audi A8 with Jason Statham behind the wheel not performing a number of the stunts we see. Among them are a two-wheeled drive between a couple of tractor-trailers, ramping onto a moving train and a swan dive off a bridge. Considering the action can take place no further than 75 feet from the car, we expect the latest iteration of the franchise to bring the chase scene magic yet again. [Filmofilia]

New Death Race Stills: Flame Throwing, Jag Destroying And Overacting Galore

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT

We brought you first-hand photos of the cars of Death Race, as well as the first Death Race trailer. Now we've got more production stills than you can shake an armored Mustang at. These new photos add more details, including a look at a scarred-up Tyrese, a serious-looking Jason Statham, a strutting Joan Allen, a masked man and lots of flame throwing action.

What this latest round of photos doesn't do is give us any additional insight into the complex narrative structure or tip a hand toward revealing any what will no doubt be a plethora of surprisingly thoughtful literary allusions. You'll just have to wait until the movie hits the big screen to get all that. [Spoiler-TV Movies via io9]

Death Race Your Ride: Goofy, Yet Somehow Entertaining

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:40:00 EDT

With the upcoming Death Race movie the re-make on the tips of everyone's tongues these days (yeah right, you did see "The Dark Knight" didn't you?), the good folks at Universal decided to add a "Death Race Your Ride" feature to their website. You can pick from a number of canned cars OR you can upload photos of your own ride and add Death Race equipment. Heavy armor, weapons, decals, wheels, and battle damage are your paint, and Deathrace.net is your paintbrush. The old Audi somehow just isn't that intimidating compared to the big bad Ford Mustang. Great idea, right? It'd be like a personal "Jalopnik My Ride" p-shop feature if it weren't clunky as hell to use. A+ on the idea, F- on the implementation. [Death Race My Ride]

Death Race One Sheet Revealed, Shows Off More Of That Mean-Looking Buick

Ray Wert — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EDT

You saw the mean looking choptop Buick Riviera first when we showed you the cars of Death Race and y'all seemed to react favorably, so we figured you might like to see the first one-sheet for the Statham-starring film showing it again looking all bad-ass. Sure it's not the Death Race trailer, and sure, it reveals a tagline — "Get ready for a killer ride" — that screams hackneyed and lame, but whatever, it's not bad for a Tuesday before the Fourth of July weekend. Want to see the bevy of beefy cars from the film again? Well, they're waiting your eyeballs below. [via Universal]

Transporter 3 Trailer Gives Us Second Weekend Dose Of Jason Statham

Ray Wert — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 18:30:00 EDT

Friday we showed you the Death Race trailer which, for the most part, saw a fairly positive reaction from the Jalopnik commentariat rather than the savaging with reckless abandon we expected. But we're a fickle bunch round these parts so we should have expected nothing less than going against the grain. But we thought we'd reward the most discriminating readership in the automotive webosphere with some real Jason Statham-flavored red meat for the Jalopnik grille, by way of the always authentically automotive Transporter series. Yes friends, here's the Transporter 3 trailer — and from what we can tell from the few seconds of glimpsing the W12-powered Audi A8 in this Iggy Pop-soundtracked 55 seconds of crank-ed up action, the final installation in the epic trilogy will be more in line with the unrealism of the second movie than the awesomeness of the first. Pity. [Allocine.fr via First Showing]

Death Race Trailer, Revealed!

Ray Wert — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:11:21 EDT

A week after we showed you our exclusive first look at the cars of Death Race, the new movie starring Jason Statham to be released by Universal later this summer, we've now got the first trailer for Death Race. What can we say? Well, it's intense and in it we learn the first rule of the Death Race — you never drive backwards. Unless you're Statham and you're driving a Mustang — and I'd have to say the 'stang (called Frankenstein's Monster) looks seriously cool. Really, this should have been what the made the new KR look like. It makes every other Mustang variant look like a girlie car. Whatever, we're going to stop talking now and just let you watch the video above and then check out the gallery of vehicles again below.

The Cars Of Death Race

Ray Wert — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 03:00:00 EDT

UPDATE:We've now got the first Death Race trailer! Almost a year ago, I had the opportunity to head out to Montreal and go behind the scenes of the new re-visioned movie "Death Race" starring Jason Statham, Tyrese Gibson, Ian McShane and yes, Joan Allen. Whereas the names of the characters they play may be the same, the storyline's anything but — this time the "Death Race" is set in what we'd been told was an "economic" prison sometime in the not-so-distant dystopian future. But we'll throw down more of that later. The really cool part was getting a first-hand look at some of the metal made into prison inmates very own PCH cars — and there's some really cool stuff to be seen. So without further ado, below the jump are the ten vehicles at the center of the new Paul W.S. Anderson-directed flick coming to a theater near you August 22nd, 2008 — along with all the details on the add-ons that make them "special" plus, because you're so good, a whole mess-load of screenshots. Enjoy and remember, small children are only worth more points because they're harder to hit.

1.) Frankenstein's Monster- 2006 Ford Mustang GT

Engine: Supercharged 4.6L V8
Ford Racing Exhaust System
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Suspension: Progress Technology adjustable coil over front struts and rear shocks
Progress Technology adjustable rear lower control arms
Progress Technology adjustable panhard bar
Wheels: 18" 2007 Ford Mustang Cobra wheels
Tires: Front- Toyo Proxes T1R 255/45 ZR 18
Rear- Toyo Proxes S/T 285/45 ZR 18
Brakes: Brembo Disc Brake System
Stunt Modifications: Roll Cage
Kirkey Aluminum Racing Seats
RCI 5 point harnesses
RCI fuel cell
CNC Hand Brake
Battery moved to battery box in trunk

2.) Machine Gun Joe's Ram- 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 4wd

Engine: 5.7L V8 Hemi
Transmission: 5 speed automatic
Suspension: Rancho 9000 Shocks for front and rear
Firestone Air Bags for front and rear
Custom fabricated rear sway bar
Drivetrain: Removed front axles and front differential
Replaced rear axle with 1 ton dually axle
Wheels: Front- Stock 20" Dodge Ram wheels
Rear- Stock 16" dually wheels
Tires: Front- Stock tires
Rear- Toyo Open Country 265/75R 16
Stunt Modifications: Roll Cage
Sparrco Racing Seats
RCI 5 point harnesses
RCI fuel cell
Tildon secondary hydraulic brake system
Battery moved to battery box in trunk

3.) Pachenko's Chop Top- 1966 Buick Riviera

Engine: Stock 430c.i. V8 "Nail Head"
Crane Ignition System
Transmission: 3 speed automatic
Suspension: Big block springs
KYB Gas Adjust shocks
Wheels: 17" Eagle Alloy Wheels
Tires: Front- Toyo Proxes T1R 255/45R 17
Rear- Toyo Proxes S/T 285/60R 17
Stunt Modifications: Roll Cage
Kirkey Aluminum racing seats
RCI 5 point harnesses
RCI fuel cell
Tildon secondary hydraulic brake system
Battery moved to battery box in trunk

4.) 14K's 1980 Porsche 911

Engine: Stock 2.7L 6cyl.
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Suspension: Front and rear Bilstein adjustable coil shocks
Eibach racing springs
Wheels: 15" NASCAR style steel wheels
Tires: Front- Toyo Proxes TPT 225/60R 15
Rear- Toyo Proxes S/T 295/50R 15
Brakes: Stock Braking System
Stunt Modifications: Roll Cage
Kirkey Aluminum Racing Seats
RCI 5 point harnesses
CNC hand brake
Jazz Aluminum fuel cell
Custom fabricated battery box

5.) Colt's Jag - 1989 Jaguar XJS

Engine: V12
Transmission: 4 speed automatic
Suspension: KYB Gas Adjust Shocks
Eibach Racing Springs
Custom fabricated front and rear sway bars
Wheels: 15" Aero Beadlock wheels
Tires: Front- Toyo Proxes TPT 225/60R 15
Rear- Toyo Proxes S/T 295/50R 15
Brakes: Stock Braking System
Stunt Modifications: Roll Cage
Kirkey aluminum racing seats
RCI 5 point harnesses
CNC hand brake
RCI fuel cell
Battery moved to battery box in trunk

6.) Grimm's 300: 2006 Chrysler 300C

Engine: 345c.i. V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Suspension: Air Ride Technologies air suspension kit
Wheels: 20" American Racing Wheels
Tires: Front- Toyo Proxes 4 245/45ZR 20
Rear- Toyo Proxes 4 255/45ZR 20
Brakes: Stock braking system
Stunt Modifications: Roll Cage
Kirkey aluminum racing seats
RCI 5 point harnesses
Tildon hydraulic secondary brake system
Custom fabricated fuel cell
Battery moved to battery box in trunk

7.) 1972 Buick Riviera "Boat tail"

Engine: 350c.i. V8
Crane Ignition System
Transmission: Turbo 350 3-speed automatic
Suspension: Big block springs front and rear
KYB Gas Adjust shocks
Custom fabricated rear sway bar
Wheels: Stock 1971 Buick Riviera wheels
Tires: Front- Toyo Spectrum 225/70R 15
Rear- Toyo Proxes S/T 275/60R 15
Brakes: Stock braking system
Stunt Modifications: Roll Cage
Kirkey aluminum racing seats
RCI 5 point harnesses
RCI fuel cell
Tildon hydraulic secondary brake system
Battery moved to battery box in trunk

8.) 1979 Pontiac Trans Am

Engine: 350HO V8 Crate motor
Transmission: Turbo 350 3-speed automatic
Suspension: Big block coil springs
KYB Gas Adjust shocks
Custom fabricated rear sway bar
Wheels: 17" American Racing wheels
Tires: Front/ Rear Goodyear 215/65R 17
Brakes: Stock braking system
Stunt Modifications: Roll cage
Kirkey Aluminum Racing Seats
RCI 5 point harnesses
RCI fuel cell
CNC hand brake
Wilwood secondary rear brake calipers
Battery moved to battery box in trunk

9.) 1989 BMW 735i

Engine: 6cyl.
Transmission: 4 speed automatic
Suspension: KYB Gas Adjust shocks
Eibach Racing coil springs
Wheels: 18" American Racing wheels
Tires: Front/Rear Toyo Proxes T1R 255/40ZR 18
Brakes: Stock braking system
Stunt Modifications: Roll Cage
Kirkey Aluminum racing seats
RCI 5 point harnesses
Custom fabricated aluminum fuel cell
CNC hand brake
Wilwood secondary rear brake calipers

10.) The Dreadnaught

There are no words to describe this onslaught of mechanical strength called "The Dreadnaught." Check out the video to get a taste. Come on back later this week when we do a sit-down with Jason Statham and ask him what car he's got in his driveway.

First Official Death Race Screen Shot Features an Intense-Looking Jason Statham

Ray Wert — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 08:05:00 EST

So Universal's creating a re-make of the classic schlock-camp 70's futuregasm Death Race 2000, starring the always-willing-to-Transport Jason Statham and now they've released the first official screen shot of the action star in his broke n' busted but rebuilt whip. We've included the official synopsis below the jump and while one of us already knows the answer to the following question but since his information's embargoed — we'll see if y'all can guess it. Anyone know what car Statham's "Frankenstein" is driving?

"A penitentiary full of felons has inspired the jailers to create a grisly pastime ripe for lucrative kickbacks. Now, adrenalized inmates, a global audience hungry for televised violence and a spectacular arena come together to form the Death Race.
Three-time speedway champion Jensen Ames (Statham) is an expert at survival in the harsh landscape that has become our country. Just as he thinks he has turned his life around, the ex-con is framed for a gruesome murder he didn't commit. Forced to don the mask of the mythical driver Frankenstein—a crowd favorite who seems impossible to kill—Ames is given an easy choice by Terminal Island's warden (Joan Allen): suit up or rot away in a cell.

His face hidden by a metallic mask, one convict will be put through an insane three-day challenge. Ames must survive a gauntlet of the most vicious criminals in the country's toughest prison to claim the prize of freedom. Driving a monster car outfitted with machine guns, flamethrowers and grenade launchers, one desperate man will destroy anything in his path to win the most twisted spectator sport on Earth."