These days, it can be a little tricky figuring out when something is real and when someone is just messing with you. Sometimes it’s obvious, but other circumstances warrant a careful second look. That’s doubly the case on April 1st. Of course, the auto industry loves chain yanking, but when you have 1,500-horsepower production cars and Maserati SUVs running around, it’s always a good idea to double check. But don’t worry – we found the best automotive April Fools’ pranks, and we assembled them all right here for you in this recap.
Included is a driverless RV, a pair of highly desirable Minis,->ke57 a kinetically powered Vauxhall,->ke92 a very expressive Honda,->ke34 a smoke machine Nissan->ke62 cargo van, and Lexus’->ke47 latest interior upgrade, not to mention the hottest minivan->ke1149 to ever grace a suburban driveway. In fact, looking over a few of these “jokes,” I can’t help but see some excellent real-world applications…
Continue reading for a recap of April Fools’ 2016.
We hope you enjoyed this one. When the idea was floated at a staff meeting, we had to run with it. I mean, just look at that rendering – how is a 707-horsepower minivan Read the full review [here. a good idea? Sure, the other parents might look at you funny, and an extended road trip to Grandma’s house might melt the gas card, but who cares? Certainly not your kids, who, by the way, will be the envy of the entire school every morning at drop-off. You hear that FCA? Build it already!
Read the full story here.
Ahh, the open road. Nothing like a long jaunt on the highway to help clear your head and help you find a little adventure. But of course, some folks prefer to take all the comforts of home with them, hence the monstrous lane-clogging eyesores known as RVs. Ok, maybe I shouldn’t judge, but come on – who hasn’t been stuck behind one of these things cruising in the fast lane 15 mph below the speed limit? Luckily, Leisure Travel Vans has a solution – autonomous technology. Now, RV owners will be freed from their spot behind the wheel while the robots take control. Maybe then it’ll finally get over to the right.
real->ar172897]
I know this is supposed to be a joke, but I swear I’ve seen something like this at SEMA.->ke216 The thing is, Mini says it’s for practicality, not pure aesthetics, as the upward-swinging hinges reduce the space needed to open the door. It’s totally safe too – in the event of an accident, each door is equipped with a “Pyrotechnic Emergency Exit,” or “PEE,” which will explode away the doors to allow access. You know, for safety or whatever.
real->ar172900]
You know, anyone can slide around an 850-horsepower, AWD, carbon-fiber Mustang – just put your foot down and do a couple takes, right? It takes a Read the full story here. driver to lay the rubber down in a cargo van. Nissan took the fight to [Ken Block by doing just that, enlisting the help of professional drifter Chris Forsberg to help sling an NV3500 around a loading dock with reckless abandon. Now all it needs is a Hellcat V-8…
real->ar172894]
For some folks, a car is an expression of the self, a metal incarnation of one’s personality. Honda has taken the next logical step and introduced emoji license plates, which are sure to iron out any subtleties left unexpressed by your choice of exterior paint and seat covers. Now if we could only get the horn to play back our favorite ring tone…
real->ar172902]
Automakers, like politicians, are known for making big promises. One of the most popular these days is the pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help lower fossil fuel consumption. Well, it looks like Vauxhall cracked the code on that one with it’s latest Adam->ke4340 C compact->ke140 hatchback,->ke304 which uses a state-of-the-art kinetic wind-up system to get 125 miles of emission- (and electric-) free range. What’s more, the system provides “an incredible cardio and strength workout.” Tesla,->ke1842 you’re officially on notice.
real->ar172904]
Remember when the car was cool? You know, back before it got all popular? Mini remembers, and it’s making a model with all the right hipster sensibilities. There’s a fixed-gear drivetrain, upcycled wheels, and a twin-deck cassette player to listen to that original recording you got when that one band that everyone likes now played in a basement. You know, before anybody knew who they were.
real->ar172898]
Lexus Launches V-LCRO Technology
Finding a balance between comfort and performance is never easy. Whether it’s suspension tuning or drivetrain tuning, there’s always a compromise. The same is true in the interior of a performance car, where a racing harness and highly bolstered sport seat makes sense on the track, but can get a bit tiresome on the street. Thankfully, Lexus has a solution. In conjunction with Velcro, the Japanese automaker has developed a new technology that can firmly hold the driver in place, whether you’re attacking an apex, or just heading to the store for a gallon of milk.
real->ar172906]