Super Bowl XLVI had it all: drama, action, suspense, and even star power. And that was just during the commercial breaks.
Fact is Super Bowl Sunday is the one day a year people actually use their DVRs to record and re-watch TV commercials instead of fast-forwarding through them. You no longer need to know a nickel back from Nickelback to enjoy the Super Bowl experience thanks to some of the crazy, one-off commercials made just for this one Sunday. Now that the dust has settled, we’re looking back at our five favorite auto-related ads:
5. Camaro: Happy Grad
A simple commercial by Super Bowl standards, this spot’s premise involved a graduate (still decked in cap and gown) who mistakenly thinks a brand new Chevy Camaro convertible parked in front of his parents’ house is his graduation present. After a sustained period of over-the-top elation with his friends–he even promises his girlfriend they’re getting married—the young man watches as the real owner of the car, his next-door neighbor, hops in and drives off.
The ad effectively conveys the message that the new Camaro is for the young—and young at heart. And there’s something both sad and gratifying about watching the graduate go from over-the-top jubilation to puzzled disappointment. Welcome to the real world, pal!
4. Fiat 500 Abarth: Seduction
How would your vehicle translate into human form? If you happen to own a Pacer or any sort of minivan, please don’t answer. However, if you ever own a 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth, we say you’re in for quite a treat!
In Fiat’s “Seduction” commercial, the new Abarth is brought to life as a hot Italian supermodel with an even hotter temper. After the gorgeous model busts an average-to-slightly nerdy guy staring at her, she slaps him across the face, gives him a healthy dose of attitude, seduces him, and then leaves him wanting more. It’s always like that the first time you see the new Abarth—or at least that’s what we’re led to believe.
3. Chevy Silverado: End of the World
The Mayans say the world is ending this December, but there is a way to survive the impending apocalypse. Nope, it’s not by stocking up on batteries and bottled water—that’s so Y2K. According to Chevy, you can survive anything, including the end of the Mayan calendar, by hunkering down in your Chevy Silverado.
In Chevrolet’s “End of the World” spot, we see the world on December 21, 2012, the day the Mayan calendar ends. There’s chaos and destruction everywhere, and the only survivors are Chevrolet Silverados, Silverado owners, and a box of Twinkies. Seems about right.
2. Acura NSX: Transactions
What’s not to like? Zip lines, flying squirrel suits, and the Soup Nazi (as seen on the iconic show, Seinfeld).
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld pulls out all the stops to become the first person to own the Acura NSX. He offers up soup from the Soup Nazi, proof of extra-terrestrial life, the last living munchkin, and access to his network of citywide zip lines. Just as it appears Seinfeld’s secured the keys to the first Acura NSX, fellow comedian and car aficionado Jay Leno swoops in a flying squirrel suit and gets the car.
1. Toyota: Reinvention
While Chevrolet gave us a glimpse of our last days on earth (at least for non-Silverado disciples), Toyota showed us how they planned on making the world better: babies that don’t poop, blenders that play Lionel Richie tunes, curtains made of pizza, and much more.
In this ad, Toyota tells us they’ve done such a great job reinventing the Camry for 2012, they’ve also decided to reinvent a bunch of other things: poop-less babies, pizza curtains, and other amenities. No need to thank Toyota for the new Camry, the clever commercial, or its world-changing new inventions. “You’re welcome,” the ad tells us at the end.
The commercial successfully conveyed the message that the Camry has been reinvented for the better in 2012, and it produces some laughs in the process.
Those are our favorites. Be sure to tell us yours in the comment section below.
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