Yesterday was a great day for April fool’s jokes in the motor industry. First we heard about the Honda HR-V SLF that could take selfies;
Then it was the farmer in Essex who created a 60-metre Mustang in his field using miniature shrubs.
Another funny one was from BMW who went so far that they even involved England Rugby Captain, Chris Robshaw, in their cheeky shenanigans.
The two most realistic jokes have to go to Skoda and MINI.
Skoda announced yesterday that they were going into the yacht business showing us the VisionSea concept yacht. To be honest this was a joke that could very easily be done by the increasingly popular manufacturer. After all they are taking the bicycle market very seriously, so why not yachts too? The VisionSea is a 10-metre-long water bullet that borrows some of its design cues from their concept vehicle the VisionC.
Skoda said the following of the yacht, “The striking tapered bow is somewhat reminiscent of a shark. The inward embossing in the stern also sets accents particularly pleasing on the eye. The first media reports have been extremely positive, calling the innovation a ‘radical interpretation of the ŠKODA VisionC study’”. Skoda gave it away however when they started commenting on the “Simply Clever” additions to the boat – where else would you put your life jackets?
“The lifejackets are stored in practical lifejacket holders under the seats. Standard on-board equipment includes, among other things, a height-adjustable leather steering wheel, two stainless steel bottle holders for 1.5-litre bottles, and an extra storage pocket for your tablet device. The pivotal water-ski hooks are also outrageously practical. From the bridge, the hooks can be released, extended and retracted again at the touch of a button. This means that nothing will slide around come high speeds or waves – and to make doubly sure, you will also have special cargo elements and anti-slip mats at your disposal. The specially designed sun visor coupled with an anti-dust chamois ensures that you will always have a clear view.”
Next up was MINI with their car with “Chrome Line Exterior Deluxe”. This car is so dazzling that the manufacturer had to point out to photojournalists who attended that it would be “compulsory to wear sunglasses” and that it was “not possible to permit the use of flash due to physically uncontrollable reflections.”
MINI also reported that the production process of this car had to be altered too saying, “The hall lights will automatically be dimmed during assembly of the new MINI 3 door with Chrome Line Exterior Deluxe. What is more, the operating speed of the conveyor belt will be reduced so as to give employees the opportunity to check their clothing and hair in the reflection of the MINI body.”
Admittedly the photos for both the MINI and the Skoda yacht are stunning.
