German car maker Mercedes-Benz has online car enthusiasts in a blather about whether or not a video of the new SLS Gullwing sports car looping the inside of a tunnel is real or fake. The climax of the three minute video (the tunnel stunt) by Mercedes-Benz is widely tipped to be the work of some clever computer-generated-image boffins.
A couple of clues: The run-up to the stunt is on a bend and quite short (the car would likely need to be travelling much faster and at a more constant speed if it were real) and the distance markers on the road are facing the wrong way (the camera rather than the driver).
The safety crew (presumably to help convey the impression of real danger) is standing in a dangerous position (between the car and the start of the concrete barrier). The lack of tyre marks in the wake of the stunt is also unusual. When Mercedes-Benz Australia was asked to verify the film, a spokesman said: “No-one from head office in Germany is confirming or denying it.”
The video, uploaded by Mercedes straight to social video website YouTube, was no doubt designed to spark a ‘viral’ marketing campaign. With the film’s high production values the company was probably hoping to attract more than the 220,000 views listed. Another video of the same car on a race track has recorded 372,000 views. Perhaps Gen Y isn’t that easily fooled after all.
At least Mercedes deserves credit for being honest about inserting Michael Schumacher into the film after it was shot. Earlier versions don’t show the stunt driver but later versions (modified after Schumacher returned from retirement to join the Mercedes F1 team) reveal Schumacher as the stunt driver.
“It definitely was not Michael Schumacher behind the wheel, we can confirm that,” a spokesman said.
See the video and decide for yourself…
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The most telling feature for fakery (besides a basic knowledge of physics)is the lighting rails through the tunnel are photo-shopped out but still leave the glow of each individual light.