Toyota Aygo Prank Video Creates Invisible Driver Illusion
Toyota promoted the 2015 Aygo with a viral video showing an 'invisible' driver navigating city streets, surprising onlookers and drawing attention to the new city car.
Toyota turned heads in 2014 with a promotional stunt for the new Aygo, releasing a video that showed the city car apparently driving itself through urban streets. The illusion was created by a driver dressed in a meticulously camouflaged suit, making him blend into the interior and appear invisible to passers-by.
How the prank worked
The video, released by Toyota as part of the Aygo’s marketing campaign, captured reactions from unsuspecting members of the public. The disguised driver steered the car through car washes, drive-throughs and city streets, with the camera focusing on the surprise and confusion of people interacting with what appeared to be a driverless vehicle. Encounters included fast food workers, car wash staff and even a police officer, all caught off guard by the spectacle.
The illusion relied on a carefully crafted suit that matched the Aygo’s interior, allowing the driver to remain hidden from most angles. This technique, while simple, proved effective in creating the impression of a self-driving car well before autonomous vehicles became a familiar sight on public roads.
About the 2015 Toyota Aygo
The 2015 Aygo was introduced at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show as Toyota’s latest city car, developed alongside the Citroën C1 and Peugeot 108. The new Aygo featured a distinctive front fascia inspired by other recent Toyota models, a length of 3,455mm and a height of 1,460mm, making it 5mm lower and with tracks widened by 8mm compared to its predecessor.
| Engine | 1.0-litre petrol, 3-cylinder |
|---|---|
| Power | 58hp (51kW) |
| Torque | 95Nm |
| Fuel consumption (combined) | 4.1L/100km |
| CO2 emissions | 95g/km |
The Aygo’s engine was a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol unit, producing 58 horsepower and 95Nm of torque. Toyota claimed combined fuel consumption of 4.1 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions of 95g/km, positioning the Aygo as an efficient option for urban drivers. The Aygo shared its underlying platform and technology with the Citroën C1 and Peugeot 108, but distinguished itself with its bold styling and customisation options.
Viral impact and context
The invisible driver prank video quickly spread online, drawing attention to the Aygo’s launch and helping Toyota reach a younger, social media-savvy audience. While the video was a marketing stunt rather than a demonstration of autonomous driving technology, it played on public fascination with self-driving cars and highlighted the Aygo’s appeal as a fun, unconventional city car.
