Here are the Automotive Hoaxes of April Fool’s Day 2018

Not every automaker decided to participate in April Fool’s Day this year, but those that did gave a solid performance. Check out our April Fool’s Day roundup below:

Aston Martin Project Sparta

Aston Martin has transformed the upcoming DBX SUV into a monster truck (pictured above). Dubbed Project Sparta, the truck will enter the Monster Jam Series in 2019 piloted by three-time Le Mans winner Darren Turner.

“Winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans was a real thrill last year, but when I heard about this opportunity I just couldn’t say no,” Turner said in a statement. “I hope the guys line up a great selection of cars for me to tear apart, because I’m sure this monster truck will really do the business.”

It was made especially for Turner by the Q by Aston Martin Commission. The automaker has even cooked up some impressive specs, saying the truck will use the same 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V-12 as in the Valkyrie AMR Pro making 1,100 hp. Finally, Monster Jam fans will get that dose of British class they’ve been clamoring for.

Honda CR-V Roadster

The Toyota RAV4 may have stolen the spotlight at the recent New York auto show, but Honda is drawing some attention back to its CR-V with this amusing vehicle. The automaker’s U.K. division showed off a “CR-V roadster,” which although described as a concept, will apparently be available in dealerships starting April 1. Unlike typical convertibles, this CR-V has neither a hard top nor a soft top, because folks at Honda essentially just sawed off the top of the vehicle.

“This innovative design makes it a vehicle purely for sunnier climates and therefore completely useless for the two-day British summer which traditionally occurs in May,” Honda jokes. The roadster will go for around half the price of the standard CR-V because it’s half the car.

Highly out of character, Honda admits safety is a concern, saying “the structural rigidity of the car has been reduced overall by approximately 100 percent, currently rendering it completely undriveable.”

Lexus “Genetic Select”

Unsure which car you should buy? Lexus claims to have the answer with its Genetic Select program. In partnership with biotech company 23andMe, Lexus will match you with your perfect car based on your DNA profile. All you have to do is provide a Lexus dealer with a saliva sample, and within 48 hours, your vehicle arrives at your doorstep. Everything about the car—including the color, trim, horsepower, radio presets, and seating configuration—is tailored perfectly to the individual driver.

“If the customer does not have a genetic variant for bald spots, the car will come equipped with a sun roof,” Lexus quips. “Or those genetically prone to more freckles will receive custom window tinting.”

To start the vehicle, drivers will need to provide more saliva using the new DNA ignition sensor on the steering wheel. “Just lick and drive,” says Lexus. Yum.

Porsche Mission E Tractor

We already knew Porsche was planning different electric vehicles for its new Mission E lineup, including a wagon destined to arrive in late 2019. But who would have thought Porsche was cooking up a tractor version?

The Porsche Mission E Tractor boasts more than 700 hp, which Porsche says makes it the “fastest accelerating agricultural vehicle in the world.” Porsche even says it would make “a pretty good lap time” on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Farmers will be able to harvest their crops in no time, and since it’s all-electric, the Mission E Tractor can help curb pollution. Porsche’s new FastFarm App will provide farmers with 24-hour satellite-based weather updates and a mobile farmers’ forum. We can’t wait for the cornfield-scorching Weissach package.

Skoda’s Noise-Cancelling Headrest

Czech automaker Skoda has come up with the most practical of practical jokes, and we’re sure plenty of parents wished this feature actually existed. Speakers in the front seat headrest emit “anti-scream sound waves” and drown out noise from kids in the back seat. Called QuarrelKancel technology, this feature is allegedly an option on the Skoda Karoq SUV. We know what we want for our next family road trip.

Seat Arona Copper Edition

Amid recent talk that Britain will take its copper coins out of circulation, Seat’s U.K. division has come up with a use for the unwanted metal. The Seat Arona Copper Edition has a dash-mounted coin slot that activates the engine, so it’s basically a fancy slot machine. There is also copper trim on various parts of the cabin.

Tesla “Goes Bankrupt”

Tesla’s shares have been dropping, leaving many to wonder about the company’s financial health. Along with concerns that Tesla isn’t making copies of the Model 3 quickly enough, the automaker also received a downgraded credit rating from Moody’s last week. But CEO Elon Musk is taking it all in stride, even joking about the company’s current situation on Twitter.

On April 1, Musk tweeted Tesla was “completely and totally bankrupt.” In distress, Musk passed out against a Model 3 surrounded by bottles of “Teslaquilla.” We know it’s a joke today, but if things don’t turn around for the company soon the next tweet may not be.

The post Here are the Automotive Hoaxes of April Fool’s Day 2018 appeared first on Motor Trend.



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