“The partnership between FC Bayern and Audi officially started almost exactly seven years ago. Since then, we’ve jointly experienced numerous sporting highlights including four championships and four Cup wins,” said Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board for Marketing and Sales of AUDI AG, today during the official handover of the vehicles in Ingolstadt. “We’re proud to be at the side of the German record Champion again this year and look forward to many more emotional moments on the field.”

For players, coaches and officials of the 21-time German Champion, the handover of the vehicles at the Audi Piazza in Ingolstadt marked a stop on the way to the Audi Cup staged on Wednesday and Thursday at the Allianz Arena. The two-day tournament with FC Bayern München, Manchester United, AC Milan and Boca Juniors from Argentina is the sporting highlight of the celebrations commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Audi brand.

New signings like Mario Gomez experience their debut in the Audi family this season. The top-class striker selected a black Audi Q7 with TDI engine, as did Alexander Baumjohann and Danijel Pranjic, two other new players signed during the summer break. The left-hand side of the Bavarians boasts superior sportiness, just as it does on the field: National player Philipp Lahm and super star Franck Ribéry are now driving a 580-hp Audi RS 6, demonstrating the same preference as manager Uli Hoeneß. Preparation high-flyer Holger Badstuber on the other hand opted for an Audi S3 Sportback. As different as the tastes of the Bavarians may be, they do have one thing in common: All of them chose permanent quattro four-wheel drive.

“The vehicle handovers have become a cherished tradition and, secretly, one of the favorite dates on our players’ calendars,” said Uli Hoeneß, while his stars around coach Louis van Gaal were still signing autographs for the numerous Audi employees and spectators gathered at the Piazza. “But days like these are just one example of how the long-standing partnership is continually being translated into action. Of course, the parade in Audi convertibles through downtown Munich would be the perfect conclusion of the season for us – but that’s still a long way to go.”

Prior to the gathering at Marienplatz, it’s time for FC Bayern to go to its home venue, the Allianz Arena. Following a day of practice on Tuesday, the squad will contest its first game against AC Milan Wednesday night at 8:45 pm. The finale of the four World Cup winners will be held on Thursday evening. ZDF will broadcast extensive coverage from the Allianz Arena on both days starting at 7:25 pm.