Are you ready to kart in style? On Aug. 27, Mario Kart 8 players can download three different Mercedes-Benz karts for free based on the Mercedes-Benz GLA, 300 SL and Silver Arrow models – these can be combined with other Mario Kart 8 kart parts. The only thing you need to ask yourself is, which kart will you choose?
Three automotive icons from Mercedes-Benz will thrill fans of Mario Kart 8, the fun new racing video game for Nintendo’s Wii U home console: the legendary Silver Arrow of the 1930s, the 300 SL Roadster from the 1950s and the current Mercedes-Benz GLA. This cooperation between Mercedes-Benz and Nintendo means that for the first time in the history of the popular Mario Kart series, cars from the real world are available for the breathtaking races. From 27 August 2014, 22 years after the launch the first game in the series, Super Mario Kart in 1992, all Mario Kart 8 fans will be able to download the three kart cars in Mario Kart free of charge. This will also be the start of the “Mercedes Cup”, a worldwide online tournament in which Mario Kart 8 players can test their skills against each other.
“Video and computer games are widespread throughout the world, and have a large fan community. With our presence in blockbuster games such as Mario Kart 8 we approach to modern focus groups and are achieving excellent results in making our brand more youthful” says Dr. Jens Thiemer, Head of Marketing Communication at Mercedes-Benz Cars. “We are particularly proud of the fact that we are the first automobile brand to be represented with real vehicles in Mario Kart 8.”
“Mercedes Cup” – worldwide online tournament for games fans
Mercedes-Benz and Nintendo are accompanying the starting date for the free download of the three Mercedes Karts on 27 August 2014 with an exclusive online tournament available worldwide. In the “Mercedes Cup”, Mario Kart 8 fans around the world can compete against each other in races with the Mercedes Karts. Anybody can take part that has the Wii U console, Mario Kart 8 game, and a suitable Internet connection. Access to the “Mercedes Cup” in the game can be found via the online tournament section in Mario Kart 8. The “Mercedes Cup” races will end on 23 September 2014. Highlights with the Mercedes-Benz cars can be uploaded via Mario Kart TV and shared with Mario Kart fans all over the world.
Mario Kart 8 is a fun-racing game developed by Nintendo, which appeared in Europe for the Wii U console on 30 May, 2014. This is the eighth instalment in the Mario Kart series, which first thrilled the video game playing world in August 1992. With more than 100 million Mario Kart games sold, this series is among the most successful racing games of all time. The main character in the series, Mario, is the world’s best-known video game icon.
The eighth instalment likewise follows the classic game principle of the series, with characters in the Mario universe racing against each other and gaining advantages from various items. New features in Mario Kart 8 include sections where the players can drive along walls using anti-gravity, and even upside-down. In the process, collisions with other vehicles provide a touch more speed. Mario Kart 8 has 32 courses of which 16 are completely new, while the other 16 are revised versions from earlier titles in the Mario Kart series. Up to 4 players can play the offline mode of the game, and through online play, up to 12 players from around the world can compete with one another.
The Mercedes-Benz models in Mario Kart 8
Mercedes-Benz W 25 Silver Arrow
The Mercedes-Benz W 25 is a legendary racing car which Mercedes-Benz built for the “750 kg formula” in 1934. It was powered by a 3.4-litre eight-cylinder engine developing around 350 hp. The car’s first racing appearance at Nürburgring took Manfred von Brauchitsch to victory right away.
The origin of the name “Silver Arrow” is one of the great legends in motor racing: Developed according to the requirements of the 750 kg formula, the racing car was found to weigh 751 kg the evening before its first race. It is said that racing manager Alfred Neubauer’s lament “That paints a poor picture!” gave driver Manfred von Brauchitsch the idea of grinding off the white paintwork to reduce the weight to the permitted limit. The mechanics removed the paint finish from the car overnight. This revealed the typical, silvery sheen of the aluminium body that gave the name “Silver Arrows” to the W 25 and its successors.
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (W 198) replaced the 300 SL “Gullwing” produced from 1954 to 1957. In contrast to the latter, the Roadster version has a slightly modified front end with upright headlamps. To give protection in inclement weather, Mercedes-Benz equipped the 300 SL Roadster with a soft top which was stowed beneath a cover behind the seats. A hard top became available from 1958, giving the Mercedes 300 SL Roadster a coupé-like appearance and comfort. With an acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in 10 seconds, the 300 SL Roadster had a top speed of 250 km/h. 1858 units of this dream car were built until 1963. Today it is among the most coveted – and also expensive – automotive classics.
Mercedes-Benz GLA
The Mercedes-Benz GLA is the latest member of the new compact car generation. The Mercedes-Benz GLA reinterprets the compact SUV segment in impressive style. As the first Mercedes-Benz in this fast-growing segment, it is easy to handle in urban traffic, nippy on country roads and mountain passes, and dynamic and efficient on the motorway. With a Cd figure of 0.29, the GLA is the most aerodynamic of all compact SUVs. It rounds off the extensive range of Mercedes-Benz SUVs with five model series, the GLA, GLK, ML, GL and G.
