Pennzoil® Reimagines Go-Karting With Real-World Mario Kart 8 Experience At SXSW

HOUSTON, March 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennzoil® is proud to present Mario Karting Reimagined, a real-world racing experience based on the highly anticipated Mario Kart™ 8 video game for Wii U™, brought to life on the grounds of SXSW Interactive. As the Official Motor Oil & Auto Fuel Sponsor of the 2014 SXSW Interactive Festival, Pennzoil is introducing this innovative experience to consumers as a way to convey the innovation tied to Pennzoil Platinum® Full Synthetic Motor Oils with PurePlus™ Technology.

Derived from pioneering technologies and creativity, Pennzoil was inspired by its love of cars and the Pennzoil Platinum line of motor oils featuring PurePlus Technology, a revolutionary process that converts natural gas into the first-of-its-kind, high quality full synthetic base oil. The line of Pennzoil Platinum with PurePlus Technology are motor oils reimagined; delivering complete protection through the use of groundbreaking technology, which is as advanced as today's cutting-edge vehicles.

"The collaboration with Nintendo's Mario Kart franchise marks two iconic brands coming together as leaders on the front lines in their respective industries," said Chris Hayek, Pennzoil Global Brand Manager. "Mario Karting Reimagined is sure to surprise SXSW attendees with the way that it uses the iconic elements of the Mario Kart 8 video game to capture the inspiration behind PurePlus Technology, pushing the boundaries of innovation and imagination."

Mario Karting Reimagined lets SXSW attendees get behind the wheel of a super-powered go-kart inspired by the Mario Kart 8 video game. For drivers to gain a competitive edge during the on-track experience, participants must collect the Pennzoil Complete Protection icons on the track that act as simulated power-ups, appearing in the form of Pennzoil branded icons to compliment some of the traditional Mario Kart 8 icons. The live racing will be broadcast on a jumbo-tron, with each go-kart's performance behaving normally until an icon is tripped on the track. Once activated, the go-kart will experience the effects of the icon in real-time to trigger speed boosts or slow the go-kart down.

Just as the Mario Kart video game series is known for its unpredictable racing fun, Mario Karting Reimagined will let participants compete for the checkered flag on Pennzoil's custom course, where anything can happen. As drivers pass certain areas of the track, the image showing each driver's point of view on the jumbo-tron will flip upside down, just as Mario and his friends can defy gravity and drive upside down in Mario Kart 8. Each participant will walk away with their own digital video link to their Mario Karting Reimagined experience, offering a helmet camera view of their track laps and personal Complete Protection score.

Onsite at SXSW, the track will be located directly outside the Palmer Events Center, with shuttle transportation available to and from the Austin Convention Center. From noon to 6 p.m. on March 7-9, the custom-built track inspired by Mario Kart 8 will be open and free for SXSW Interactive & Gaming attendees, ages 18 and up, to experience racing from a whole new perspective from behind the wheel of a Pennzoil/Mario Kart-branded go-kart. Attendees will also be able to participate in a special gameplay preview experience with the upcoming Mario Kart 8 game for Wii U before it launches in stores this May.

Mario Kart 8, the newest installment in the fan-favorite video game series from Nintendo, launches exclusively for Wii U on May 30, introducing anti-gravity racing, allowing players to drive up vertical surfaces and even upside down on inverted tracks. Players will be able to race alone, with other friends in the same room via split-screen multiplayer (multiple controllers required; sold separately) or online with others from around the world (broadband Internet access required). Players can even capture their favorite gameplay clips and share them using the new Mario Kart TV feature. The game includes a selection of the most recognizable characters from the Mushroom Kingdom such as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Bowser and, for the first time ever, the seven Koopalings that first made their debut in Super Mario Bros.™ 3.

For more information on Mario Karting Reimagined Powered by Pennzoil at SXSW or Pennzoil Platinum motor oils with PurePlus Technology, visit www.motoroilreimagined.com and follow @Pennzoil and #MotorOilReimagined on Twitter to stay up-to-date on Pennzoil news at SXSW as it happens. For more information on Mario Kart 8, visit www.nintendo.com.

About Pennzoil®

At Pennzoil®, we're car people. We love cars and the role they play in our lives. That's why we tirelessly strive to produce the most technologically advanced, highest performing motor oils on the market.  Our Pennzoil Platinum® and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum™ motor oils with PurePlus™ Technology deliver Complete Protection. Pennzoil Platinum motor oils start with something different: natural gas. PurePlus Technology is a patented, revolutionary process that converts pure natural gas into the first-of-its-kind, high quality full synthetic base oil. It's Motor Oil Reimagined.

Pennzoil® is the most trusted motor oil brand in America.* The full line of Pennzoil quality products includes Pennzoil Platinum® and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum™ with PurePlus™ Technology, Pennzoil® motor oil, Pennzoil Gold™ motor oil, Pennzoil® High Mileage Vehicle® motor oil, and Pennzoil Marine® engine oil. For more information about the full line of Pennzoil lubricating products, motor oils and filters, please visit www.pennzoil.com. Not just oil.  Pennzoil. 

*Based on a survey of licensed drivers conducted by a leading research firm January 2005 – December 2013.

About Shell Lubricants

The term 'Shell Lubricants' collectively refers to the companies of Royal Dutch Shell plc that are engaged in the lubricants business. Shell Lubricants companies lead the lubricants industry, supplying more than 12% of global lubricants volume. ^a The companies manufacture and blend products for use in consumer, heavy industrial and commercial transport applications. The Shell Lubricants portfolio of top-quality brands includes Pennzoil®, Quaker State®, FormulaShell®, Shell TELLUS®, Shell RIMULA®, Shell ROTELLA® T, Shell SPIRAX® and Jiffy Lube®.

^aKline & Company, "Global Lubricants Industry 2012: Market Analysis and Assessment."

About SXSW Interactive

The 21st annual SXSW Interactive Festival returns to Austin from Friday, March 7 through Tuesday, March 11. An incubator of cutting-edge technologies and digital creativity, the 2014 event features five days of compelling presentations and panels from the brightest minds in emerging technology, scores of exciting networking events hosted by industry leaders and an unbeatable lineup of special programs showcasing the best new websites, video games and startup ideas the community has to offer. From hands-on training to big-picture analysis of the future, SXSW Interactive has become the place to preview the technology of tomorrow today. Join us in March 2014 for the sessions, the networking, the evening events, the 17th Annual SXSW Interactive Awards, SXSW Accelerator, the SXSW Gaming Expo, the SXSW Trade Show, SXSW Create, the Digital Creative Job Market, cross-industry conversations with attendees from SXSW Film and SXSW Music, and, most of all, the unforgettable inspirational experiences that only SXSW can deliver.

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SOURCE Pennzoil