Partnering up to create an out-of-this-world virtual test drive
The Task
In summer 2018, Mazda planned to launch a nationwide retail tour to drive sales of the iconic Mazda MX-5 RF. Lively Agency, who were running the tour, asked us to work with them to create the new virtual test drive, which would be shown to people through mobile headsets.
![Three men stood with Mazda X5 cars looking over the Alps](/img/containers/assets/case-studies/mazda/case-study-Mazda-test-driveArtboard-2.jpg/de27d7d5c271d3ab68e1aee715620631/case-study-Mazda-test-driveArtboard-2.webp)
![First person view of driving a 3D modelled Mazda X5 in virtual reality with black car to the right](/img/containers/assets/case-studies/mazda/case-study-Mazda-test-driveArtboard-3.jpg/50c39767769d2916f866108287a3cfbe/case-study-Mazda-test-driveArtboard-3.webp)
![Man kneeling to take a photo of a red Mazda X5 with a 360 camera mounted on the front](/img/containers/assets/case-studies/mazda/case-study-Mazda-test-drivemultiple-case-study-images.jpg/3fc51c967d70518e8d5718682b464a65/case-study-Mazda-test-drivemultiple-case-study-images.webp)
The Process
These days, virtual test drives are being seen more and more. We wanted to do something different – something that would stick in the mind of customers and make them want to try the RF for real. So we took users on a test drive with a twist – a thrilling 360º race around the Italian Alps, which bursts into a colourful, mind-bending CGI dreamscape inspired by Mazda’s ‘drive together’ philosophy, before returning to the road with the driver feeling at one with the car. We filmed in 360º and then inserted a CGI version of the car into the scene – animating it to match real-life driving and taking viewers on an out-of-this-world drive in Mazda’s legendary roadster.
![First person view of driving a Mazda X5 into a portal in space as part of the Mazda X5 virtual reality experience](/img/containers/assets/case-studies/mazda/case-study-Mazda-test-driveArtboard-1.jpg/736572c8419f8ffcbb40f2c907ed9e3b/case-study-Mazda-test-driveArtboard-1.webp)
Do you have a message you want to convey? A situation that needs simulating, or an audience that needs reaching? Whatever your challenge – we have the ideas, the experience, and the equipment to help.