The Best April Fool's of 2019

Every April 1st, automakers set out to join in on the April Fool's fun by creating funny and unique news stories. Some of the pranks are funny, while others are just dull. Every now and again we read about a hoax that we can't help wondering if it's true, while others have us wishing they were. Here are some of the best April Fool's Day pranks for 2019.

Toyota Yaris Adventure

Toyota said that it was answering a question nobody had asked. By creating a Yaris-amino. "A truck that is perfect for those who want to tell their friends they own a truck but never veer off pavement." It's a laugh on the ever-expanding subcompact crossover segment. Putting a pickup bed on the back of a Yaris sedan. With truck features like a 1,328 mm bed, and a payload of 135 kg. But no nav system, "because anyone smart enough to drive the Yaris Adventure knows exactly where they’re going."

2019 Jeep Sedan

Jeep Middle East posted this one. With Jeep's increasing popularity, they're running out of places to expand their lineup. So why not into the crossover with a trunk segment? This looks to be a Grand Cherokee nose on a Chrysler 300. But you know what? It'd probably sell like hotcakes.

Range Rover Destination Charging

Land Rover announced that it would be installing the most remote EV charge point in the UK. 24 km from the nearest road, up the side of a mountain on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Owners could charge there and enjoy "the electrifying view." Of course, the real purpose is to point out that it will be electrifying its entire range very soon. In the UK, at least.

Audi b-tron Concept

Audi has been working on e-tron electric powertrains, but the buzz is that the automaker has a hive of engineers working on alternative fuels. Enter the b-tron. “It gives me great pleasure to announce this exciting new development, which will debut at next month’s New York Auto Show,” says Imker Honig, of Ingolstadt’s legendary Komplett Geschminkt skunkworks. Komplett Geschminkt is German for completely made up. It's a honey-powered Audi, but development was a challenge. "The b-tron concept was very challenging,” says Honig. “Early prototypes tended to attract scores of bees, typically around the hexagonal fuel cap. One tester was swarmed by a hive that had settled in the glove compartment. I don’t think he’ll be doing that again, ha!"

BMW i-Setta

BMW's i electric brand is bringing the retro trend to the modern EV. The Isetta, best known here as the chariot of Steve Urkel, has been plugged in. It's now the i-Setta. Fully electric and fully connected with BMW's Connected App.

Honda Pastport

Honda is taking you back to the '90s with the Pastport. It's a new trim for the Passport that's completely '90s. Sweet features like a coin holder, tape deck, fold-out navigation, and a spot for your beeper. With a 56k modem in the glovebox for connectivity and a sweet CD-wallet. They even filmed a commercial. In the 4:3 aspect of pre-HD TV. Narrated, of course, by Fred Savage.

Cabot Trail Motorcycle Ban

Our friends over at Canada Moto Guide caused quite a stir, not just in the motorcycling community, with their news piece claiming that the Cabot Trail was set to ban motorcycles this summer in favour of catering to family-hauling RVs. The mailboxes of tourism board representatives were bombarded with emails and voicemails expressing outrage and disbelief. Oops!