April’s Fool 2013

• MINI plays cupid with Connect Us in-car dating app

  In Cars, International News, MINI, Technology / By Hafriz Shah / 1 April 2013 7:08 pm / 10 comments

  

  Tired of your misfiring wingman (or wingwoman)? Let your MINI play cupid for you, with its latest MINI Connected (now available in the latest MINI range) App called Connect Us. It’s the world’s speediest dating service, and also the most reliable.

  Exclusive for MINI drivers, you’re guaranteed to find a date with the same taste in cars. Additionally, not only does it track and match possible pairings’ personal interests, favourite activities and hobbies, MINI Connect Us gets down to the nitty-gritty detail: driving style – crucial in the search for a compatible co-driver on the journey of love.

  MINI claims the way you treat your accelerator, steering wheel and brakes shows everyone the real you. MINI Driving Excitement Analyser would process all that, while the Connect Us app would deduce a meeting of minds on the matter of driving fun to oil the wheels of romance between MINI owners.

  You’ve been warned however, to not take your eyes off the road just when things are getting interesting. Think MINI is taking the Mickey out of you? Well, let’s just say that the Connect Us app is exclusively available for download today, April 1.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Subaru XV now available with new self-clean function

  In Cars, International News, Subaru, Technology, Videos / By Jonathan James Tan / 1 April 2013 6:48 pm / 15 comments

  Subaru has introduced the world’s first vehicle self-cleaning function on the Subaru XV. Available in the UK from April 1, the company’s AF Self-Cleaning Technology can be specified as an option for £1,412 (RM6,644), excluding VAT.

  Developed with some of the world’s leading electrical engineers, AF Self-Cleaning Technology works as such: at the push of a button on the key fob, nanogenerators convert energy present in the environment into electrical energy, which activates harmless low-voltage currents on the car’s outer body surface.

  These currents then flow in precise, overlapping patterns to agitate and dissolve micro-attachments on the body surface, such as dirt and dust, without using a drop of water.

  Focus groups have revealed that Subaru drivers are active people who lead active lives, who don’t want to waste their time washing their car at the weekend. The team has developed the technology bearing this in mind, to make their customers’ lives that little bit easier.

  Subaru hasn’t yet said if other models in their range will receive the AF Self-Cleaning Technology; our guess is it’ll only be a matter of time. It’ll be a pretty handy convenience on rally Imprezas, we think.

   

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• Volvo unveils EnVeloP all-around car airbag system

  In Cars, International News, Technology, Volvo / By Anthony Lim / 1 April 2013 6:29 pm / 34 comments

  

  A year after introducing its Pedestrian Airbag Technology on its Volvo V40, Volvo has unveiled its External Vehicle Protection (EnVeloP) system, which takes things a step further.

  The EnVeloP system consists of a small container built in the roof of the car, which contains a folded-in, vacuum pulled balloon of similar material to existing airbags. In the case of an impending collision, whether it’s with another car, a roadside object or even when coming into contact with surface water, the balloon unfolds within the blink of an eye around the car, completely enveloping the car and ensuring damage is minimised.

  

  The system, the company says, is the embodiment of its brand philosophy, Designed Around You. Instead of finding new areas inside the car where more airbag-like safety systems could be added, the company is exploring covering the complete car in an airbag-like solution.

  Currently, the External Vehicle Protection system is still in a testing phase, but Volvo is investigating whether the system can be fitted in future Volvo offerings.

   

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• SPIED: Suzuki Swift Outback pick-up testing in Msia

  In Cars, Local News, Spyshots, Suzuki / By Danny Tan / 1 April 2013 1:14 pm / 38 comments

  

  Here’s a bizarre one from our friend Theophilus Chin. The Photoshop master took a break from his computer and went fishing at the Sri Permaisuri lake. That’s when he saw this pick-up truck style Suzuki “Swift Outback” being driven round the lake. Only the one shot as proof.

  We can’t say that we know a lot about a Swift pick-up ala Proton Arena that’s coming soon, but perhaps the car was sent here for humidity and extreme weather tests – notice how it has been very hot lately with heavy evening showers?

  Unique bits not found on the Swift hatchback include SUV style black body cladding around the car, skid plates and a “4X4” emblem on the sides. Jimny hardware in a Swift?

  Do you think there’s a market in Malaysia for a small car based pick-up? The Proton Arena was quite popular with small traders and businesses back in the day.

  The third-gen Suzuki Swift was launched in Malaysia in January, but since then, we’ve seen spyshots of the Suzuki Swift Sport being tested by JPJ and ads for the locally-assembled regular Swift (launch batch was CBU).

   

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