We have already run a feature rounding up the best (and worst) of the automotive April Fools stories, from Leapmotor's exercise pad that charges your EV to Autoglym's body wash and aftershave (you can read more HERE).
So what's this about?
However, there was one April Fools gag that seemed, just for a glorious, wonderful few seconds, as if it might be true.
BMW's M-Division - so beloved by all motoring enthusiasts - teased us cruelly with some genuinely convincing photos of a pair of potential racing cars, cruelly because we not only believed it but, like Fox Mulder, we WANTED to believe.
The first phoney car to be shown was, alas, probably the coolest - a BMW M2 Dakar. Clearly taking inspiration from Porsche's lifted 911 Dakar, the M2 Dakar was shown off as an M2 coupe with lofty suspension, chunky off-road tyres, a hefty roof rack complete with a light bar, and a delicious version of the classic BMW M racing colour scheme. Shown pounding a series of sand dunes, the M2 Dakar looks like it could easily exist (hey, if BMW can make a one-off M3 pickup, and they totally can, then they could make this too). But it doesn't.
What? Say it ain't so…
The M2 Dakar made its fleeting appearance on BMW M's Instagram page, with the words: “The ultimate off-road machine. Built for tough terrains, ready to tackle any challenge, this is the BMW M2 Dakar. Upgraded off-road suspension for more ground clearance and optimal performance under extreme loads, there is nothing the BMW M2 Dakar cannot handle.”
Nothing, except actually existing. How could you tease us so, BMW?
Well, they weren't quite done yet. Also given a fleeting existence was a BMW M3 Touring GT3 Evo, clearly inspired by the wonderful Volvo 850 T5 BTCC racing estate from the early 1990s. The Touring GT3 Evo looks totally the part, with a colour scheme ripped from the current BMW Le Mans racer, a towering rear wing, centre-lock wheels, a side exit exhaust, and even - and this really hurts - Le Mans spec yellow headlights. It looks as if it could easily be ready for the upcoming Nurburgring 24hrs, but it exists only as an image. No!!!!!
Please let them be real…
Sorry, but they've been officially confirmed as fake. “When it comes to the M Community, the BMW M3 Touring GT3 EVO is clearly ahead in the race for the role of favourite,” said BMW M, hammering home the sheer want for this to exist, before hitting us with: “APRIL FOOLS! BMW M2 Dakar and BMW M3 Touring GT3 EVO - we've pulled a prank. What convinced the community more: the rally genes of the BMW M2 Dakar or the unrivalled racing car looks of the BMW M3 Touring GT3 Evo?”
Well, frankly, BMW, we were too busy weeping into our keyboards to figure that out. How could you dangle something so gloriously plausible, and gloriously… well, glorious and then rip them away from us?
If anyone wants us, we'll be over in the corner, being disappointed and staring at photos of a 3.0 CSL.