Robert Downey Jr drives $9m car

Los Angeles - Robert Downey Jr arrived at the world premiere for The Avengers in a $9m car.

The actor - who plays the role of Tony Stark and his alter-ego Iron Man in the highly anticipated action film - drove himself and his wife Susan to the event at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles in the specially created vehicle, based on the one he drives in the Iron Man films.

It features a steering wheel with palm-scan ID, a 32-valve engine with titanium-forged block and nitrous-injection system and Diamond quartz cross-drilled brake callipers.

Currently fictional

The vehicle, entitled the Acura 2012 Stark Industries Super Car, is currently fictional but recent patents indicate it could go into production.

Speaking on the red carpet at the event on Wednesday, Robert confirmed he was excited about the prospect of a third Iron Man movie which he thinks will further explore his playboy character.

He said: "For Iron Man 3, we are going to back to the exploration of this character, which is what made the franchise work to begin with."

Other stars from the film to appear at the event included actors Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo, and actress Scarlett Johansson.