Needless to say, although I’ll do so anyway, please don’t try this at home, or if you do, don’t coming crying to us afterwards. Right, sensible statement out of the way, let’s take a look at the stunts.

Our first ad was created to promote Honda’s “In and Out” plan, which lets swap your old car for a new one. The agency, villarrosas of Barcelona uses the Parkour choreography to symbolise how ‘easy’ the changeover can be. Surprisingly the scene was filmed without any CGI or editing tricks – they really did jump into the Honda CR-V that quickly.

If you’re impressed with Honda’s new ad, then wait until you see some of the ads which provided the inspiration. They’re pretty clever, although I can’t imagine any of the brands sold more products as a result. But hey, this is advertising and advertising is the new entertainment.

Honda CR-V. Plan In & Out commercial

Honda Spain’s new TV spot called “Plan In & Out”, promotes a new scheme to help customers swap their old car for a new one.

Honda CR-V. Making Of Anuncio Plan In & Out

Watch and learn, then maybe you could try it out. Maybe not.

The inspiration

BMW. Jump for Joy. Part 2

Looking at a BMW, your heart starts jumping for Joy. But sometimes it’s not just the heart. Watch some amazing ways to take a seat in a BMW, but don’t try this at home.

NFL Fantasy Files: Laurence Maroney

Patriots RB Laurence Maroney can fit through any tight spot. You need him on your fantasy team.

Nike MVPuppets “Car Jump”

Nike presents the MVPs (Most Valuable Puppets). The roommate puppet versions of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant get competitive in this campaign for the NBA Playoffs.

Kobe Bryant jumps a speeding Aston Martin

The original viral ad for Nike, featuring Kobe Bryant leaping over an accelerating Aston Martin Vantage Roadster.

As each new Hilux is launched, the task gets harder and harder to convey just how tough and indestructible it has become – but they’ve pulled out all the stops for this latest Hilux. The 2012 model has been given a comprehensive re-style from the A-pillar forwards, with a new bonnet, radiator grille, headlamps and bumper, plus new wheel designs and new side bars and steps for the top-of-the-range Hilux Invincible.

Interior materials have been improved, CO2 emissions have been reduced (194 g/km for 2.5-litre Double Cab) and of course Toyota reckon it’s even more unbreakable than ever. It will be on sale here in the UK from October, priced at £16,090 for the entry-level Single Cab HL2 4WD 2.5-litre.

So, how unbreakable is it now? Well, Toyota’s Australian, New Zealand and South African teams have kicked off their campaigns with the following ads. They’re good, but are they as good as our all-time favourite Toyota Hilux ad (“Bugger”)? – which up until now has reigned supreme.

Take a look below and let us know what you think. We’ve also included the original Top Gear episodes to remind you why the Hilux has such an enviable reputation.

Toyota Australia – ‘Unbreakable’

Toyota New Zealand – ‘Tougher Than You Can Imagine’

Toyota South Africa – ‘Toughness Rubs Off’

Toyota New Zealand – ‘Bugger’

Made as a follow up to the beloved Barry Crump/Lloyd Scott Toyota ads, “Bugger” follows a series of farming mishaps each provoke the laconic comment — “bugger”. The role of ‘Hercules’ the dog plus the performance of the hapless farmer made for one of New Zealand’s most iconic advertisements and a symbol of Kiwi pop culture.

The Advertising Standards Authority received 120 complaints about the ad, but subsequently ruled that it was not in breach of the advertising codes and was unlikely to cause serious offence. It was originally released in August 1999.

Killing a Toyota Top Gear – BBC

Jeremy Clarkson drives a Toyota Hilux around in the hope of disproving the manufacturer’s claims about its indestructibility. He crashes the Hilux into bits of Bristol and trees, parks it in the sea and then drives it through a shed and drops a caravan on it. His final act involved parking it on a tower block before it is raised to the ground by a demolition team. Did he manage to kill the Hilux? Nope. Eventually he concedes that it might, just might, actually be indestructible.

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Part 3:

Let’s be absolutely clear, this wasn’t experts presenting a well thought out analysis of the car industry, it was self-righteous vigilantes treating the public’s intelligence with utter contempt.

To quote some of the Greenpeace rhetoric, “(Volkswagen)…are not as efficient as you might think. For every ‘greener’ vehicle VW sells, it shifts around 15 others which emit much more C02. Volkswagen adds a huge price mark-up for its greener vehicles – way above the cost of the technology – as it tries to cash in on your green conscience.”

Introducing the NEW Volkswagen up!

Anyone with an ounce of awareness will know that Volkswagen have been developing their new hyper-efficient city car for most of the past decade, it was first shown in 2007 as a rear-wheel-drive mid-engined concept and is intended to be built by at least three of the VW Group marques.

So it sounds like a pretty serious effort to reduce global CO2 emissions, given that most of VW’s customers live in cities.

It’s also designed from the outset as a new affordable small car range, although Volkswagen have not yet confirmed pricing of the up! It’s an entirely new design, offering maximum space on a minimal footprint (3.54 x 1.64 m) and will be launched in Europe in December.

There are three versions for different budgets and needs: take up! is the entry-level car, move up! the comfort-oriented model and high up! the top version. At the car’s market launch, there will also be two models based on the high up!: up! black and up! white.

Making its debut in the up! is a new generation of three-cylinder petrol engines, with outputs of 59 bhp and 74 bhp. Combined fuel consumption as a BlueMotion Technology version (including a Stop/Start system) is 67 mpg (59 bhp), and CO2 emissions for this version are less than 100 g/km. There are also plans for an up! with electric drive.

No doubt we could criticise VW for not making BlueMotion the standard across the range, but let’s remember VW are a commercial enterprise who ultimately can only survive by offering products which customers want to buy – they are giving customers a choice and no doubt will focus even more of their future development on BlueMotion technologies if buyers vote with their cheque books.

The same thing happened with large luxury cars – the availability of more fuel efficient 3-litre turbo diesel engines eventually made V12 and V8 models about as commonplace as the white rhino.

Efficiency without compromising safety

An important new safety technology in the up! is the optional City Emergency Braking system. It is automatically active at speeds under 18mph, and uses a laser sensor to detect the risk of an impending collision.

Depending on speed and situation, City Emergency Braking can reduce accident severity by initiating automatic brake interventions that can even avoid a crash. So far, the up! is the only vehicle in its segment to be offered with this function.

At 3.54 metres in length and 1.64 metres in width and 1.48 metres in height, the up! is one of the smallest four-seater cars. Its overall length consists of short body overhangs and a long wheelbase of 2.42 metres. Use of space in the car is exceptionally good, because of the wheelbase, which is one of the longest in the segment, combined with an engine that is mounted well forward on the front axle.

The 251-litre boot is also significantly larger than is typical in this class and when the rear seat is fully folded, cargo space is increased to 951 litres.

The most economical journey is also one that takes the most efficient route

For the first time in a Volkswagen, the maps + more system is now being offered, which is a mobile Personal Infotainment Device (PID). In the economically priced up!, this is an equally economical system that was developed to organise navigation, telephone, information and entertainment, and was designed in cooperation with Navigon, one of the world’s leading suppliers of navigation systems.

The user simply snaps the PID into place above the centre console. Unlike many other similar systems of this type, maps + more melds with the car’s network of systems more effectively: navigation, telephone and infotainment can be controlled and viewed via the maps + more touchscreen, which can also be used to view vehicle information, such as the display of the parking sensors (where fitted).

Apps specially developed for the up! also let users extend maps + more to meet their specific needs and therefore make it possible for buyers to take advantage of future traffic avoidance systems.

Volkswagen’s message to Greepeace

I suspect Volkswagen would be delighted to show Greenpeace their new efficient city car range, then perhaps the environmental lobbyists could turn their efforts towards encouraging people to buy this sub-100 g/km car and thereby help save fragile environments like the Arctic.

In fact I’m certain Volkswagen would welcome such support. Over to you Greenpeace..

Gallery

Unlike Mercedes spot for the new E-Class, the humour within Hyundai’s ad cuts a little close to the mark for TV audiences and the Hyundai Board subsequently decided not to approve it. See it for yourself and decide whether the Hyundai suits should perhaps lighten up a bit..

Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Sorry

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Commercial featuring the Grim Reaper and Brake Assistance (BAS) Safety. The commercial is entitled “Sorry”.

Hyundai Veloster: Death

The Hyundai Veloster is a remarkable car. It has one door on the left side, and 2 doors on the right. Hyundai asked the creative agency Fitzroy to create a television ad that best conveys the unique virtues of the Veloster. Since the design doesn’t have a clear feature, the team decided to use safety as the main theme.

The commercial was intended to air on Dutch television, but unfortunately the Hyundai board considered it ‘too shocking for the brand’, thankfully the internet has proven a far better medium to spread the message.

And finally..

We couldn’t close without mentioning our favourite (non-car) reaper ad, this time for the Dutch Beer Grolsch – it’s an oldie but very much a classic..

I’m not quite sure how to introduce these, so I’d better just come out straight and say what’s on my mind – whose idea was it to make a series of wildlife ads to promote BMW original parts and services?

Actually, to be honest it’s a very clever way of conveying a message that would otherwise be quite dull.

The 3 ads, appropriately named Poucan, Luffalo and Zorse are part of the campaign with a strap-line, “That’s not natural. Keep your BMW as nature intend.”

Poucan: While filming a documentary in Antarctica, the crew discovers a remarkable breed of penguin.

The ads which have been running for 3 days, have clocked up only 3,000-4,000 views each, which is perhaps because they are posted in the Cars & Vehicles category on YouTube. Video content relies more on discovery than search and therefore the thumbnail plays an important part in their viral success.

Luffalo: As a loving couple enjoys their safari vacation, they encounter wildlife that’s simply unnatural.

They deserve to do better, after all how many other parts & service ads make you laugh?

Zorse: All bets are off during a day at the track, when a peculiar thoroughbred is revealed.

Whilst the SLS AMG is often compared with rivals sports cars from Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini, the company are clearly feeling confident enough that such a comparison is no longer valid – “The car in front is an SLS AMG, with the rest only visible in its rear-view mirrow.”

Do they have a point, or have they been sipping a few too many schnapps?

Since February the ads have attracted more than 40 million views online and over 100 million views during the US TV slots. The campaign was recently launched in the UK, making the timing of Greenpeace’s attack even more significant.

The Greenpeace ad urges viewers to “join the rebellion”, using a young cast of ‘Star Wars’ fans led by Obi-Wan Kenobi, who challenge VW’s mini Darth Vader and succeed in terminating the VW-branded “death star”. In Part 2 of the video the mini Darth Vader surrenders to Obi-Wan and his followers and then proceeds to join them in a victory ‘boogie’ followed by the obligatory Greenpeace banner which is hung over the VW death-star’s space-ports.

But what is the problem I hear you ask? Well, so far Greenpeace have succeeded in turning 6,968 jedi to join its rebellion, although it’s interesting to note that less than 1,400 people have viewed the videos on YouTube.

Here’s how Greenpeace describe the problem…

Rebel Manifesto

Our home—Earth—is in trouble. VW opposes key environmental laws we need if we’re going to stop our planet going the way of Alderaan (bye bye). But all is not lost. We feel the good in Volkswagen.

All of us in the Rebellion are calling on Volkswagen to turn away from the Dark Side and give our planet a chance.

To add insult to injury, Greenpeace names VW(Group) as Europe’s least green car maker in a 24-page report published this morning. The report accuses Volkswagen of exaggerating its green record and resisting attempts to make popular models such as the market-leading Golf more fuel efficient.

Greenpeace said, “The truth is that the Volkswagen Group has lagged behind its competitors for years. It only stepped up progress on CO2 reductions once a legal framework was put in place that forced it do so. It has shown no ability or willingness to voluntarily deliver the innovation or technology changes required. Now Volkswagen is openly opposed to the agreed 2020 standard that would benefit motorists, the economy and the environment.”

The Campaign

Greenpeace have put together a clever campaign which is built around a custom website containing the two videos, plus an achievements game which rewards participants with badges as they climb the ‘Star Wars’ ladder (from Baby Ewok through to Yoda), culminating in the ultimate prize of… a Greenpeace T-shirt. Way to go GP! (cue sacrastic whooping and hollering).

The troops have also been out in force this morning, and by troops I really mean troops – passers-by in London this morning have observed the rather unorthodox sight of Stormtroopers wearing VW badges encouraging people to “turn away from the dark side” (i.e. VW). The #vwdarkside hastag is not (yet) trending, but it surely will at some point later today, so if you’d like to oppose the campaign you can show your support with a Twibbon or tweeting your support for VW using the hastag #empiredrivesavw.

If you do however feel inclined to sign up and help Greenpeace turn VW away from the Dark Side, then visit vwdarkside.com to begin your Jedi Training.

Gallery

But for 4 day period over Christmas, local residents were shocked by the tactics used to support the city’s Don’t Drink & Drive campaign. A billboard was erected with a realistic body wedged mid-way through and a steering wheel in its hands. The body was surrounded by splashes of blood, and accompanied by the message: “It could be your body.”

One resident posting on adme.ru was considering legal action against the council after his 13 year old daughter was traumatised when passing the sign during the late evening.

Seems rather a blunt instrument to deal with a complicated issue and we hear that the campaign may have caused more accidents that it was designed to avoid.

Images: adme.ru.

Picture Gallery

See anything better than this? Let us know in the comments below.

As you will see from this week’s selection, there’s more to a great video than the quality of the filming or the budget that’s thrown at it. As with most activities where customer satisfaction is at the core, it’s all about exceeding expectations. The bigger the budget (or more exotic the car being featured) the more an audience is likely to expect in terms of thrills or entertainment. Also, it’s really tough to impress the oh-so cynical automotive enthusiast, but often a little humility goes a long way and sometimes less (smugness) results in considerably better (i.e. positive) response.

Let’s take a look.

Top Performers

In this category we’re looking at videos with either the highest number of views or social shares (via Facebook or Twitter) during the week, basically those that have caught your interest most consistently each day.

[reveal title="Volvo V60: How To Make A Sexy Car Ad" ]

Volvo V60: How To Make A Sexy Car Ad

It’s the ‘Nigella’ style advert of the week, appealing for it’s visual quality, music score and the almost sensual feeling it provokes (oh, was that just me then? Oops..). Volvo continue to strive towards changing people’s attitudes towards their brand and this V60 ad is perhaps their most successful yet.

[reveal title="Porsche 918 RSR revealed in Detroit" ]

Porsche 918 RSR revealed in Detroit

Launched earlier this week in Detroit, Porsche created several videos to tease and then inform us about its new 918 RSR. Stunning. To quote a modified version of that famous Jerry Maguire quote, You had us at “The new P..”.

[reveal title="Banned advert - Dacia: Romanian bargain" ]

Banned advert – Dacia: Romanian bargain

There’s so much to laugh about in this Dutch advert, that you’ve just got to watch it. More than 200,000 people already have since Monday. The ad centres on an elderly couple who start to haggle with a sleazy car salesman to buy a new Romanian-built Dacia Duster, trading insults and profanities until you’re sure the sale must be lost. But no, this is precisely how you buy such a disgusting bargain.

[reveal title="VW Academy with Bill Hader: 2011 Jetta Competitive Advantage" ]

VW Academy with Bill Hader: 2011 Jetta Competitive Advantage

Saturday Night Live comedian Bill Hader and Volkswagen Product Specialist Danielle Gumro discuss the 2011 Jetta and other VeeDubs in this hilarious new educational series, “Inside the VW Academy.” Forget the idea of these being ‘educational’, they’re just laugh-out-loud funny and have clocked up the highest viewing figures for any automotive campaign this week.

[reveal title="Making of Mercedes-Benz 'Sunday Driver' commercial with Michael Schumacher and Mika Häkkinen" ]

Making of Mercedes-Benz ‘Sunday Driver’ commercial with Michael Schumacher and Mika Häkkinen

A behind-the-scenes look at the Christmas advert, ‘Sunday Driver’, which featured Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen and German football legend Franz Beckenbauer. There were two versions of the ad filmed, one in English and the other in German, each with subtle differences including the music and the driver of the G Wagon (Franz Beckenbauer in the German version). It’s a thoroughly slick and enjoyable ad that’s already clocked up nearly 1 million views since it was released just 3 weeks ago.

Keep an eye on these

We expect these videos to either clock up a decent level of views or generate discussion for all the right or wrong reasons. They say ‘..all publicity is good publicity’, but we’ll have to see if that proves true for some of the following brands.

[reveal title="Part 1. Aston Martin Rapide. True Power Should Be Shared" ]

Part 1. Aston Martin Rapide. True Power Should Be Shared

We will produce a proper review of this new series next week, but the response from audiences thus far should already be giving the folks at Aston a few sleepless nights. It’s disappointing to see the same basic mistakes being made that we identified in our review of Audi’s 6-part series, “The next big thing” featuring Justin Timberlake last year.

Take a look for yourself and make up your own mind – most people associate Aston Martin with the iconic Bond 007 films, so unless you’re going to match these and put Daniel Craig in the lead role, then just don’t go there.

[reveal title="Mercedes-Benz CLS TV-Spot: Escaped to the mountains (full length)" ]

Mercedes-Benz CLS TV-Spot: Escaped to the mountains (full length)

Here’s one for the “what the hell were they thinking?” category. Mercedes new CLS is a lovely looking thing and this video is beautifully shot and edited, but what a stupid story-line! The film is about a guy who’s opted out of life and now lives in the mountains but one day he sees a CLS drive past and says, “I thought I would never go back, and then I did.” Oh dear…

[reveal title="Lexus LS: Chain (Behind the Scenes)" ]

Lexus LS: Chain (Behind the Scenes)

The latest commercial from Lexus to show how taking the hard way inspires absolute confidence – so they strap 5 Lexus LS together and then park a LFA underneath them. Why? Well you’ll have to watch the video and see.

Worth a look

1. Famous and Fearless – Behind the Scenes with Driftworks
A behind the scenes look at Chris Evans’ Famous and Fearless show on Channel 4 which was won by Charley Boorman.

2. HUMAN SIDE OF RACING – Dubai
An excellent documentary by ClashProduction asking amateur and professional racing drivers, “What does racing mean to you?”

3. Pagani C9 – 2nd Teaser
It looks like Pagani’s successor to the Zonda will be called ‘Huayra’, but we still don’t know what it will look like and this second teaser doesn’t help..! [Edit - as this article was published, Pagani released a 3rd teaser. It still doesn't help...]

4. BMW M1 Hommage (German)
It may be in German, but it still contains a great collection of clips as Motor Vision brings together the classic and modern, introducing us to the BMW M1 and BMW M1 Homage concept car.

5. Audi Commercial – Truth In Blacklist
Following on in the theme of great motorsport videos, it may have slipped your attention that Audi are celebrating 30 years of Quattro in 2011 and this week released a great collection of videos from their archives including this one.

The title “Truth in Blacklist” refers to Audi being the winner of 99 races in five years; winner of 58 races in a single season; Winner in 21 countries across 5 continents; Holder of 3 world records at Pikes Peak – and then after two decades of owning the winner’s circle, the governing body of Motorsport banned quattro from further competition. Enough said.

Seems like a great way to end this week’s video chart, hopefully you’ll find something you like amongst them and look out for more of the same next week.

Sources: these videos charts were compiled using data from SkiddPlayer, and also take into account the views, shares and referrals across Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Vimeo.