Μια από τη φάρσα που ετοίμασε η Google για την Πρωταπριλιά, είναι και πως μπορείς να παίξεις Pac-Man στους δρόμους του Google Maps. Μπες στους χάρτες της Googgle και παίξε Pac-Man τόσο στους δρόμους της γειτονιάς σου, όσο και σε οποιοδήποτε άλλο δρόμο του κόσμου.

Η Nissan από τη μεριά της, ετοίμασε και αυτή φάρσα για την Πρωταπριλιά, με το ειδικό κουμπί “GYM” που μπορεί να εξοπλίσει τα X-Trail και Qashqai. Με το πάτημα του κουμπιού, απενεργοποιούνται τα συστήματα υποβοήθησης του τιμονιού, βοηθώντας τον οδηγό να καίει έως και 1.415 θερμίδες κάθε εβδομάδα.

Τέλος η Skoda υπόσχεται πως έχει ετοιμάσει ειδικά πάνελ που αλλάζουν χρώμα ανάλογα με τις επιθυμίες του πελάτη.

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Nissan GYM – A workout at the wheel

• Nissan introduces new ‘GYM’ button to help drivers get fitter
• Option to turn off driver assistance systems to help define your body
• Burn 1,415 calories extra per week on the average commute

It may be a company renowned for its innovative driver assistance systems, but now Nissan will be the first vehicle manufacturer to offer the option to switch them all off.

The bold development is an attempt to help drivers improve their fitness levels, after a European study showed the region’s drivers to be among the least healthy in the world.

The new GYM function, initially available in the class-leading Nissan X-Trail and Qashqai crossover models, turns off all of the driver assistance systems at the touch of a button, allowing commuters to get their very own workout at the wheel.

As well as isolating the car’s innovative systems such as Nissan’s ‘Park Assist’ self-parking system, the GYM button also turns off features that many drivers take for granted, such as power steering and electric windows. It also increases the resistance in the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals and stiffens up the gate of the gearbox, increasing the exertion required to drive.

While you workout on the move, the car’s infotainment system logs the calories burned and tracks your progress via the new Gym And Go app.

The innovation comes after a study conducted by the University of Lura, in Sweden, showed that drivers in Europe were getting fatter and less fit, largely as a result of increased congestion leading to them spending longer at the wheel.

Nissan’s director of Customer Welfare, Dr. P. Taka said: “We take the health and wellbeing of our customers very seriously – after all, we want them to live longer and buy more cars. So we developed a system that helped them achieve it.

“The adoption of Autonomous driving also represents another opportunity for the GYM system. In the future, the car can take over the driving while the occupants use the controls as workout equipment. The steering wheel can build your biceps while the modified pedals can push and pull your leg”.

Nissan has enlisted the help of fitness experts to develop the system. Personal trainer Raol Pofil, who runs Le Mensonge Fitness Centre in Paris, said: “Nissan asked me to develop a programme that would help drivers burn more calories and develop leaner bodies without leaving the comfort of their cars. On average, my programme helps commuters burn around 1,415 calories per week.”

Engineers at Nissan’s Technical Centre Europe cleverly integrated the technology into four Nissan X-Trail prototypes. The only visual differences are slide out flaps in the doors to access the manual window winders.

Spanish commuter Juan D’Aprilia, pictured, was one of four Nissan customers who took part in the trial. He lost 22kg (3st 7lbs) in nine months of driving a GYM-equipped X-Trail.

“I did nothing other than drive into Barcelona every day,” he said. “But in doing so, I have turned my life around – my waist has gone down by 20cm (8in) and I now have big biceps. I also now have a girlfriend, but I think that might be because she really likes my car.”

The success of the trial meant Nissan decided to put the technology into production immediately, with the first customer deliveries taking place on April 1, 2015. The first batch of GYM-equipped cars are also available on a specially tailored finance plan, at APR 1%.

ŠKODA SHADECHANGE™ TECHNOLOGY BRINGS A NEW WORLD OF COLOUR TO FABIA OWNERS

• Multi-panel system allows drivers to change colour on the move
• Pioneering use of new unobtainium micro-coating
• System controlled via existing touchscreen infotainment system

Milton Keynes, April 1 2015: Fabia drivers who find themselves in a blue mood, pretty in pink or simply seeing red can now change the colour of their car at the touch of a button. ŠKODA has created the world’s first ‘on the move’ colour-change system that allows motorists to alter the hue of individual panels via a new menu on the touchscreen infotainment system.

A further extension of the Fabia’s acclaimed Colour Concept system – a £500 option that allows buyers to mix and match body, roof and wheel colours – the ShadeChange™ feature is set to bring a whole new world of technicolour variety to ŠKODA drivers.

To change panels, owners simply select the panel they want to change on the infotainment screen and then choose the colour from the palette. The Fabia’s advanced electronics handle the rest of the process – changing the colour immediately.

The revolutionary system has been developed by a team of ŠKODA engineers led by Professor Dr Gio Kyng of Prague University. Each panel is coated with a microscopic layer of unobtainium – a newly discovered element that changes colour when a small electrical charge is applied to it.

“Customers are no longer limited to the colour they choose when they order the car,” Explains Dr Kyng. “When drivers are feeling in a jolly, spring-like mood, they can switch the whole car to a bright yellow. On the other hand, if they are feeling sad because their cat is unwell, they can switch it to black.”

The ŠKODA ShadeChange™ technology is in final development phase and will be available to customers shortly. Meanwhile, the all-new, award-winning Fabia hatch and Estate are in retailers now with prices starting from £10,600.

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