MG says that its technical engineers have been researching the potential for using alpaca waste as a power source for several years.
The revolutionary new fuel is produced using a process known as anaerobic digestion, during which micro-organisms break down biodegradable material to produce pellets that can be used to power car engines.
MG says that alpaca waste has been specifically chosen as it doesn’t need to be aged before it can be transformed into a useable fuel.
Commenting on the new trials, Daniel Gregorious, head of sales and marketing at MG Motor UK, said: 'We have launched a pilot programme in the UK with the Faerie Tale alpaca farm in Kenilworth and the initial results are very impressive. Following our decisions to no longer sell diesel-powered vehicles in the UK market, we wanted to take it one step further and see what was possible using alternative fuels to develop low-emission vehicles.
'We look forward to the day when people resign horsepower to the history books and refer to alpaca power. It really packs a punch.'
SEAT Arona Copper special edition
Seat launched a new special edition Arona in time for 1 April – the Copper Edition car features a number of special touches inside and out, but it's main feature is the fact that it runs on pennies.
Recent rumours from the government have suggested that the UK's copper coins might be scrapped, in which case Britain could find itself with over 15 billion redundant 1p and 2p pieces. Rather than see them melted down Seat has found a way to keep these soon-to-be historical artefacts motoring on for years to come.
Rhea Sonible-Price, product manager at Seat UK commented: 'Research shows that some of our customers are understandably brassed off that copper coins could disappear forever, but here at Seat we’re convinced there’s a new lease of life to be had for these little bits of history as part of the workings of a cutting-edge, modern car.
'The Arona already boasts highly competitive running costs, but pound-for-pound there’s little to touch this latest edition of our fabulous crossover in terms of style, value and economy. Although coin-driven, there’s no compromise on power, security or the Arona’s impressive driving ability. There really isn’t a better way to spend a penny when it comes to buying a new car.'
Hyundai i30N chocolate test track
Hyundai went to a lot of trouble to produce a memorable entry to the year's April Fool's roster – this one comes with video.
Hyundai says that during testing of the i30N it came up with a new testing surface to analyse tyre prints...made out of chocolate.
Hyundai says that the corner of the test track – created by mixing cocoa, butter and milk and called Cacao Corner – can be removed and refrigerated to create a long-lasting record of previous testing results. These samples are traditionally responsibly disposed of by Hyundai’s engineers during Easter.
Hyundai’s chief materials engineer, Cara Mell, said: 'At Hyundai we create almost everything needed to produce our cars, including the steel, the robots, and the ships to transport them. So, it only makes sense that we create our own track-testing surfaces, including the unique butter, milk and cocoa mixture used for Cacao corner. The team of people that develops the mixture is among the most dedicated in the business, but they do tend to go a bit quiet over the Easter period…'
Castle Combe sheep grazing
Castle Combe race track says that it has been delving into the history books and managed to unearth a series of unknown bylaws from the medieval period.
Drafted around 500AD, the laws make clear that local landowners have the right to graze livestock in the field overlooking the ancient village of Castle Combe itself, an area of land which has since been used to create the south-west's 'premier motorsport facility'.
Keen to maintain its prominent position within the local community and only too aware the historical significance of its location, Castle Combe circuit says it has opted to adhere to the newly uncovered bylaw, which means that, from the beginning of the 2018 motorsport season onwards, sheep and cattle will graze the infield of the circuit. It's a move which has already been embraced by the local farming community, many of whom have been desperate to put the space to good use for several years.
'We must admit to being as surprised by the findings as everyone else,' muses Mr T Manager, from Castle Combe circuit. 'The documents themselves were chanced upon by a local researcher going through some obscure archives in the nearby city of Bath, and were only brought to our attention last month. Nevertheless, we feel that as a key part of the local community and economy it's our duty to adhere to them as closely as possible, which is why we'll be permitting livestock to graze from the start of April.'
While doubtless a popular move with the local farming community, Castle Combe's influx of woolly residents will cause a number of issues for those taking to the track itself. The bylaws place a clear limit on the number of animals permitted to graze the infield (50 at most), and also make it clear that both sheep and cows will effectively be free range, able to roam the area at will.
BMW X2 camo paint option
BMW says that it is going to make the camo print made famous during the testing of its new X2 SUV available on the production car in a surprise move.
A BMW release promoting the fact said: 'In this colour finish the BMW X2 boldly reflects an extrovert lifestyle; at the same time the wrapping protects the vehicle from damage caused by stone chip.'
When it comes to the design of the X2, this is only enhanced by the new camouflage look: 'The classic dual circular elements of the LED daytime driving light and the fog lamps peer out of the camouflage like the eyes of a hunting predator. In combination with wheel arches that give an even more flared impression, this makes for an overall profile that is very powerful. The BMW X2 appears to be ready to pounce at any time.'
BMW says that the digital camo takes four days to apply and the price is available on demand.
The Brexit rally
In a bizarre twist of events you might think that this last story is an April Fool's joke, but it is in fact true.
UK-based company Bespoke Road Rallies is organising a fun-packed trawl across the EU, with a £25,000 prize for the car that completes the challenge of visiting 27 member states in the quickest time.
The company says that the event will be flagged off from Brussels on 9 March 2019 by a prominent Brexiteer and will officially finish in Parliament Square on 29 March 2019 – Brexit Judgment Day.
Event organiser John Brigden said: 'Brexit negotiations have sometimes been anything but harmonious, and our intention is for this fun event to return a degree of entente cordial to the relationship between Britain and the EU, while delivering a truly unique and memorable driving experience.'
Everyone loves a bit of April Fool's Day action – clingfilm over the toilet seat, pretending you're pregnant, faking your own death, that sort of thing.
Of course companies want to get in on the action – it's become wildly fashionable for carmakers to try and pull a swift one on a gullible public, and readers are slowly learning. In fact, it's the one day a year that people suddenly exercise judgment as to what they're reading on the internet – and with good cause, because carmakers put out some crazy stories on April Fool's Day.
Our favourite? The new convertible Honda CR-V – we actually want to see this one made, even if it means that the boot hatch won't ever be able to go back on again. We've enjoyed living with a standard version of the Japanese SUV, but this could make it a game changer.
Click on the next button on the picture above to see the best car-themed April Fool's Day stories of 2018.