Prankshift: Automakers Rev Up Ridiculous Ideas For April Fool’s Day

Another April Fool’s Day has come and gone, and while it may not be quite what it used to be (thanks, Voltswagen!), it still brought forth a slew of pranks and jests from automakers looking to entertain fans and media alike. From special editions of existing models to dog-friendly features and quirky accessories, we’ve gathered a roundup of their best attempts at foolery.

Teens Can Steal Your Tesla With A $2 Pokemon Card

Starting with our very own April Fool’s special, in case it wasn’t clear, electric Pokémon cards won’t unlock your Tesla. Turns out, Pikachu’s lightning strikes aren’t enough to outsmart Tesla’s high-tech security system. So, sorry to burst any bubbles, but your Charmander won’t be revving up your Model 3 anytime soon.

Subaru BRZ Wilderness

When it comes to automakers, our favorite of the bunch has to be the crossover-inspired version of the Subaru BRZ sportscar. But not because it’s amusing but rather because we could really get behind this build. It’s the affordable alternative to the Porsche 911 Dakar and the Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato for those who prefer their thrills on a tighter budget. Subaru, are you listening?

More: New Subaru BRZ Touge Limited Edition For Italy Looks Like The STI We Never Got

Subaru Of New England / Facebook

The BRZ Wilderness rides on Yokohama Geolandar A/T rubber paired with a raised suspension, providing ample ground clearance for versatile driving. Adorned with Wilderness emblems, the vehicle features protective cladding, roof rails, and vibrant orange accents, reminiscent of the rugged trims found on models like the Crosstrek, Forester, and Outback. While the 2.4-liter boxer engine remains unchanged, power is now distributed to all four wheels thanks to Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD system, complete with the X-Mode function.

Subaru of New England conceded that the vehicle is purely fictional, although it wouldn’t be shocking if a daring BRZ owner were to pursue a similar conversion. Last year, the same company created a fictional Subaru Baja pickup based on the Outback.

Behold The Fiat 500e Parmigiano Edition

The Fiat 500e, known for its adorable design as an urban EV, gets a quirky upgrade with the announcement of the limited-production “Parmigiano Edition” by Fiat UK. This special edition features a front grille that doubles as a “stainless-steel detachable cheese grater,” adding a touch of functionality to your vehicle. Perfect for weekend picnics, the grater pops out with a simple prompt from the infotainment system, ensuring that only you can access it. Plus, it comes with a “portable grater cleaning kit” to keep your vehicle’s nose free from leftover cheese.

More: Fiat 500e May Get Surprise Mild Hybrid Engine Because Of EV Slowdown

Additionally, the joke extends to include an “unlimited supply of Parmigiano” and a book featuring 500 cheesy recipes, sparking culinary creativity for future meals. Exclusive to UK buyers, this EV offers them a taste of “La Dolce Vita” at the same price as the entry-level Fiat 500e.

Isuzu Enters The Fragrance Market

The most well-known Isuzu product these days is the D-Max midsize pickup, and the company’s UK arm thought of a new way of promoting it. The Isuzu “Driven” is a limited-edition fragrance, created for “the most adventurous individuals”. According to the release, Driven was developed by the “House of Isuzu” perfumer division and captures “the essence of the strength and boldness of the 4×4 D-Max”. We can imagine Isuzu D-Max drivers carrying the “irresistible and rugged” scent of their truck which must be pretty strong judging from the visuals.

Electroluminescent VW ID.3 Harlequin Edition

Many of you probably remember VW’s “Harlequin” hatchbacks from the ’90s, known for their multi-color exteriors. This quirky treatment has now been applied to both the Polo and the Golf, with each body panel painted in a different shade, including green, yellow, red, and blue.

More: VW’s Kangaroo-Repellent Badge Sounds Too Good To Be True

Volkswagen

Using the electroluminescent paint technology shown in the ID.7 concept, VW created the ID.3 Harlequin Edition, just in time for April Fool’s Day. The colorful body panels of the electric hatchback light up and pulse in response to beats from its audio system, and are also connected with the “ChatGPT” function of the infotainment.

Of course, the VW ID.3 Harlequin Edition doesn’t exist in real life, though it’s fun to imagine VW creating a one-off special and cruising it around the city at night.

Honda PAW-S Technology

Honda UK

Honda’s dedication to our furry friends is evident in their latest innovation: a special system that allows dogs to enter the trunk without human intervention. The PAW-sensor, equipped with a custom tag on the dog’s collar, effortlessly recognizes your pet, automatically opening the trunk for them, even when you’re not around.

To make the car’s interior more pleasant for the dog, Honda developed a “nose-activated infotreatment system” prioritizing the pet’s needs for comfort and entertainment. The automaker also offers a number of dog-related accessories like special collars, automatic unfolding steps, a paw-activated treat dispenser, squeak toys, and recessed spill-proof bowl holders.

Mercedes’ MBUX Bark Assist

Mercedes

Staying with the dog-friendly theme, Mercedes-Benz announced a new function for the MBUX infotainment system that could “decode the barking of four-legged friends and recognize their needs.” In other words, the intelligent voice assistant would work as a translator for dogs, allowing them to communicate more efficiently with their humans.

Mercedes went a step further, suggesting that dogs will be able to “operate selected vehicle functions independently” in the future, giving them access to music selection, climate control, energizing comfort programs, and the shopping assistant. Unfortunately for dog lovers, the “Bark Assist” was only available on April 1st.

The BMW Cleaning Suit

If you’re one of the people who likes to wash their car by themselves, then this piece of clothing would make the perfect addition to your wardrobe. The “cleaning suit” by BMW transforms any human into a car-washing expert, as long as they are willing to commit to a full-body workout. The custom suit looks like a brush from an automatic car wash, and works great if the person wearing it is a good dancer.

Waymo’s Need For Gasoline

If you happened to use one of Waymo’s robotaxis in San Francisco on April 1st, you might have been surprised to discover that the specially-converted, yet still fully electric Jaguar I-Pace had an unexpected thirst for gasoline.

At some point during the autonomous journey, the virtual assistant said: “I’m gonna have to stop for gas” only to add “Just kidding, I’m all electric. Happy April Fool’s Day” a few seconds later. This joke is the equivalent of your vegan friend asking for a Wagyu tomahawk steak.

Rimac’s Hot Hatchback

We saved this one for last. Mate Rimac shared a rendering of a hot hatchback on his social media profiles, hinting at its potential as the “spiritual successor of the Yugo – in every way.” This sporty three-door hatchback, if real, would be a budget-friendly addition to Rimac’s lineup, alongside the Nevera hypercar, catering to the masses.

While the sketch is probably far from reality, the Croatian automaker is actually working on an EV with a hatchback bodystyle, as shown in a recent teaser. We’re talking about the upcoming Robotaxi which has been under development since 2019 and will debut on June 26, 2024.

That wraps up our collection of automotive-related April Fool’s Day pranks for this year. Did you come across any other pranks, and if so, which one did you find the most amusing?