Automotive news wrap: April 1

The automotive world put forward a range of new technology during a raft of news updates on April 1.

From feathered supercars to Adelaide-specific cup holders and a wave of thanks for courteous drivers, there is a new range of consumer-focused touches to make life easier.

Active Thanks Assist: Ford

Is there anything in life more irritating than someone failing to acknowledge when you let them ahead in traffic?

Ford doesn't think so, which is why its team developed technology to make sure nobody ever forgets to wave again.

Dr Hugh Morris, engineering lead of Ford Australia's Future Technologies Team, says Ford was inspired by stories of customers "either being frustrated by those who don't wave, or annoyed at themselves for forgetting to wave".

"This solves both issues in a driver-initiated and autonomous way. At Ford, we know a calm driver is a clever driver, which in turn makes the road a happier place to drive," he says.

"Through extensive testing, studies have already shown road-rage incidents could potentially drop by up to 40 per cent across the nation due to Active Thanks Assist and Active Sorry Assist. A simple thank you or apology can change driver behaviour dramatically and calm a potentially volatile situation, so we predict this technology will be adopted by all vehicle manufacturers by the early 2020's."

Evolution of the Cupholder: Audi

South Australia is reportedly the only place in the world where a flavoured milk product outsells cola.

The problem for Adelaide-based Audi owners is that their cars come with round cupholders, and that Farmer's Union Iced Coffee is sold in cardboard cartons with a square bottom.

Audi's in-house magazine says it was "a problem as old as time, it took Audi to solve it - and solve it with style".

"Standard drink holders, designed to accommodate a range of cylindrical vessels, were the wrong shape for the iconic milk product," Audi says.

"It forced many South Australian motorists to run the gauntlet and attempt to carry open cartons in their lap - often with predictably dire consequences."

The answer is square cupholders that can accommodate the state's favourite take-away beverage... even if they can't hold a bottle of water.

DPi Prototype: Volvo

Illustration: Dailysportscar.com

Tired of its conservative image, Volvo looks set to go racing in North America's booming DPi category at Daytona at beyond. 

A shocking story published on April 1 by motorsport experts Dailysportscar.com says Volvo is ready to take on the likes of Cadillac, Nismo, Mazda and other brands in serious competition.

DSC reports Volvo insiders as saying the race program would have "strong appeal far beyond our core buyers in sectors such as education, architecture and dentistry".

More information: Dailysportscar.com   

Feather Wrap: McLaren

McLaren's 570 GT is the brand's first "gran turismo", a model designed to effortlessly soar across continents on long road trips. The brand is set to push that characteristic into new territory with an optional "feather wrap" treatment available through the brand's bespoke MSO division.

The option involves artisans hand-laying 10,000 carbon-veined feathers across the supercar's bodywork in a process that takes 300 hours.

McLaren spokesman Robin Crane says the brand is "not usually ones to crow about our achievements, but I think we've scored a birdie with this one".

See video of McLaren's feather wrap below: