NEW YORK, April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- "Pimp My Ride" fans can now sport some of the coolest virtual vehicles with the debut of Virtual Pimp My Ride (available for free download at http://www.virtualpimpmyride.mtv.com/). The first virtual world inspired by the Southern California car culture of Van Nuys, California, Virtual Pimp My Ride debuts tomorrow along with the season premiere of MTV's "Pimp My Ride" at 9PM ET/PT. With the help of rap superstar and host Xzibit, and car customization specialist Mad Mike and his crazy car makeover team at Galpin Auto Sports, MTV also announced the kick-off of the "Virtual Pimp My Ride Car Show-Off Contest." The winner will walk away with not only the most tricked out virtual vehicle, but a real, brand new, tricked out car.

The first car "show-off" will be held on April 19th, at 9:30pm EDT at the virtual Galpin Auto Sports show-off lot and will continue every other week until the May 24th finale -- where the winner will be crowned. Every other week members from the "Pimp My Ride" cast will come in-world to meet fans and judge the various "show-offs" to find the hottest pimp'd out virtual ride.

Fans will be able to purchase starter vehicles using MTV dollars, head to the Galpin Auto Sports virtual garages and begin customizing everything from their paint job and hoods, to tricked out tires and rims. Brand new racing tracks and customized car challenges will be unveiled throughout the season. Virtual Pimp Ride will extend car culture further into MTV's current virtual world, Virtual Laguna Beach/Virtual Hills, with additional annex Galpin Auto Sports garages, so fans are never too far away.

Virtual Pimp My Ride debuts on Thursday, April 5th, the same night as the on-air premiere of the new season of "Pimp My Ride" at 9PM ET/PT. An in-world premiere party will take place at 9:30 PM ET complete with special cast appearances.

Virtual Pimp My Ride represents the evolution of MTV Networks' virtual worlds and will extend car culture further into MTVN's current virtual worlds. Virtual Pimp My Ride is the third virtual world experience from MTV Networks to be hosted on Makena Technologies' "there.com" platform.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 100 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 95 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

CONTACT: Mariana Agathoklis, +1-212-846-5755,
Mariana.Agathoklis@mtvstaff.com, or Matthew Hutchison, +1-212-846-8052,
Matthew.Hutchison@mtvstaff.com, both of MTVN Music Group

Web site: http://www.mtv.com/
http://www.virtualpimpmyride.mtv.com/