Easter eggs in August? Of all the cool car features I learned about during the 2018 Rocky Mountain Driving Experience in Denver, Colorado, USA, the most memorable came in the form of “Easter eggs.” Yeah, I know. I had the same dumbfounded look on my face when the manufacturer reps mentioned it during my test drives. So what does this mean when it’s obviously not that season? Year round a lot of industries use the term to refer to a meaningful surprise hidden in the design of their products, and the automotive industry is no different.
During this annual two-day event featuring more than two dozen new vehicles and journalists to match, we drove on Denver highways and even took a jaunt on the Peak to Peak Highway to Estes Park. Good times to go hunting for automotive Easter eggs.
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
I saw my first in the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid in the form of a pictorial history of the minivan. It is located on the lower part of the center console area which can also serve as a storage space for purses or small backpacks. Technology Treat: Dragging and grouping my most used buttons on the touchscreen infotainment center. This sporty blacked out version of the minivan is not your granddaddy’s minivan. But he would love it!
2019 Ram 2500 Longhorn Crew Cab
The pictorial history of previous generations of the 2019 Ram 2500 Longhorn Crew Cab was tucked inside the super organized storage area of the armrest. If you need a mobile office, you got it. Technology Treat: Power running boards automatically extend for passengers to step on when entering or exiting the truck. That’s a “thank you very much” moment.
Honestly, I started to blur the lines between Easter egg, technology and just cool stuff, but the distinguishable features of each vehicle were cool nonetheless.
For example, the 2019 Volvo XC40 has a place in the front dash area where you can store your credit card, cash or a toll road ticket. There’s also a hook attached to the glove box that allows you to hang small items on it. Technology Treat: The lane changing technology that engages when you hit your blinker to go left or right. When it senses a safe opening, it will merge you in the indicated direction.
Extra drive time with the 2018 Nissan Rogue AWD overlooking Boulder, Colorado.
Likewise, the ProPilot Assist with the 2018 Nissan Rogue AWD is a trooper you want with you wherever you go. It’s got your back in stop and go traffic. It has no problem staying in the lane on straightaways and curvy highways. Though your foot is not on the gas pedal, your hand must stay on the steering wheel. Cruise control loyalists have something new to try.
2018 Mercedes Benz E400 4Matic Cabriolet
I appreciated the informative role of the active driving display and traffic recognition system in the 2018 Mazda 6. It projects three pieces of information on the window in front of the driver: current speed, speed limit and detailed directions. The 2018 Mercedes Benz E400 4Matic Cabriolet includes fun features like the turbine vents and the seat adjusters, which are located on the door panel. I was most impressed with how lowering the triple layer acoustic soft top made me smile.
On your next test drive, I wish you good hunting and smiles from ear to ear.
