Car industry April Fools' Day spoofs

For some reason the motoring industry seems to be particularly partial to an April Fool's Day joke, as witnessed by a series of less-than-serious press releases this year and BMW's ongoing mantle of the joker of the automotive sector.

Whether it's because its often seen as a po-faced industry, whether car-makers are naturally given to practical jokes, or whether it's simply good customer relations, the automotive industry loves a good spoof, as today's press releases reveal.

BMW - Canine Repellent Alloy Protection

BMW seems to take great delight in ribbing its own brand image and even its customers, with last year's April Fools spoof featuring a windscreen that allowed BMW to write messages to other motorists - surely a reference to the BMW driver's reputation as a less-than-polite road user.

This year BMW has gone for something a little more obviously humourous - a system that delivers a 'relatively painless' electric shock to any dog that befouls a BMW.

Amusingly referencing BMW's EfficientDynamics system of energy efficiency and recycling, the Canine Repellent Alloy Protection system is powered by Brake Energy Regeneration - a key feature of the German manufacturer's energy-saving technology.

According to Dr Hans Zoff, Head of Automotive Security for BMW: “Research shows that most BMW customers like to keep their cars clean and dog fouling is a constant irritant.

'Not only does the Canine Repellent Alloy Protection system support this aim, but it does so using energy created through the EfficientDynamics programme. Beauty through engineering perfection – our philosophy in a wheel nut.”

Ford Kuga prescription windscreen

Ford has chosen something a little more low-key, and in these days of increasingly-advanced technology is bordering on the believable.

Ford's spoof introduces an 'industry-first prescription windscreen' for its forthcoming Kuga SUV - designed to suit the eyes of the driver and negate the need for spectacles.

'Skiers can buy prescription goggles and some divers wear prescription masks, so why should drivers be left out?' says Dr. Rolf Apilo, Ford of Europe's Automotive Lens Specialist, of the windscreen.

Ford customers are invited to take their glasses to a local dealership, and indicates that bifocal screens and prescription mirrors are also on the horizon.

Kia KEE_wii wireless driving

Finally, and perhaps best of all, is Kia's effort highlighting the KEE_wii concept, which is equipped with a 'revolutionary wireless driving system'.

The system will allow the driver, or passengers, to steer with a wii-style controller using Dynamic On-Road Kinetics technology.

Kia points out that the system will allow drivers to use their cars in any country as they can simply sit on the left or right front seat to drive.

'Okay, so visibility is a minor issue for those in the back seats, but we don’t think this will be a problem as a lot of people don’t really look where they are going when they drive – and we have built in a fail-safe security system called Independent Driver Input Operating Technique that utilises radar to avoid accidents,' explains Franz Josef-Hicks of Kia New Zealand.

In the spoof, Kia announces its intention to lobby governments to allow children as young as eight to drive cars using the wireless technology.

Mr Josef-Hicks added 'Every parent is embarrassed at the sharp and speedy computer driving skills of their children – it seems obvious to us that if children as young as eight can drift, rally and race their way to multiple world championships on a games console, then this new driving system will be simple enough for anyone to use.  Even from the back seat. 

'With this new KEE_wii driving system we want governments to consider changing real word driving tests for computer simulations.'

SEAT reflective technology

SEAT draws attention to its electro reflective paint on the Spanish brand's cars.

The paint constantly mimics the colours and tones of its surroundings, rather like a chameleon or TARDIS.

SEAT claims to have stumbled across the technology while 'fooling around with paint', but predicts a big future for the reflective paint.

'Quite what happens when an electro reflective car meets a speed camera, though, is anyone’s guess!' says a spokesman.

BMW mulls all-new Isetta compact car

Designed to take on smart, MINI and the Beetle - as well as reduce BMW´s model-range emissions - the reborn Isetta could make a comeback by 2010.

Top Ten Cult Cars

What are the top ten best cult cars? The Batmobile, KITT or General Lee? Check out our list of the ten best cult cars.

Top ten TV car adverts

Ever the staple of the pub chinwag, TV ads are more and more part of our sphere of consciousness – often irritatingly so. Think Honda, Volkswagen and Citroen.

STRUT Range Rover Carbon Fiber Collections

Luxury grille-maker extraordinaire STRUT has modded a Range Rover for the Land Rover fan will more money than sense - the Range Rover Carbon Fiber Collections

Home-working can dramatically reduce UK employee carbon footprint

Excessive carbon footprints have been brought to nation's attention again courtesy of recent far-reaching survey conducted by the RAC Foundation on this, the second-ever National Work from Home Day.

Name

Comments

Validation	Please enter the text to the left (case sensitive)
Reload