Justin Timberlake shows off undisguised Audi A1

Audi have just announced they will be using Justin Timberlake as a brand ambassador for for their new premium compact A1 hatch. So, was it a calculated plan, knowing the papparazzi would be following his every move, or is the image above, clearly showing an undisguised A1, causing the Audi hierarchy some pain?

Well, what do you think? Looks like the contrasting sidearch running from the A-pillar over to the base of the C-pillar, first seen on the A1 project quattro (see photo below), has made it into production. Now familiar LED day running lights also feature prominently.

And what of Justin Timberlake as brand ambassador? Not sure about you, but for me, that has already taken some gloss away from this new A1, haha.

[Image source: audidriven]

Justin Timberlake new Audi brand ambassador

• Justin Timberlake gets leading role in Audi A1 Internet campaign
• Timberlake: “I am very excited to be a part of the next evolution”

Justin Timberlake will act as an Audi brand ambassador starting in 2010. The entertainer will play the leading role in an exceptional Audi A1 Internet campaign to be launched in the spring of 2010.

“Justin Timberlake is an extraordinary artist. He manages to keep advancing his personal development while proving his abilities in different branches of the arts,” says Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG for Marketing and Sales. “As a superstar he appeals to a young target audience that we’re particularly intent on exciting about the compact and efficient A1, which is superlatively well suited for city traffic.”

In the spring of 2010, Audi will launch an extraordinary Internet campaign for the market introduction of the new A1. That’s where Timberlake will play a leading role. “Audi has always been at the forefront of engineering and technology“, says Timberlake, „and I am very excited to be a part of the next evolution conscience with Audi and the A1″.

Caption: Justin Timberlake, Brand Ambassador for the all new Audi A1, met Audi CEO Rubert Stadler (far right) and Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi Board Member for Marketing and Sales, in Ingolstadt

Below: Audi A1 project quattro, first shown in 2007