The use of whimsical scenarios in advertising is nothing new. Standard pickup trucks aren’t meant to tow airliners, and turbocharged cars can’t outrun jet fighters, despite what movies like The Fast and the Furious suggest. Similarly, you won’t see real-life individuals mistaking Chevys for higher-end vehicles. For decades, Subaru has gained recognition for its unconventional advertisements, which have recently featured dogs driving. Now, the company believes that the best way to appeal to digital Millennials for their WRX sports sedan is by simulating a chaotic Mario Kart race track.
In the latest demonstration of imaginative automotive testing, Subaru Canada showcases a unique approach to illustrating how their vehicle handles acceleration on slippery surfaces with everyone’s favorite slapstick motif—the banana peel. The company scattered an impressive number of banana peels across a stretch of pavement, which was subsequently sprayed with water. Instead of skidding or spinning like in Mario Kart, the WRX navigated the peels with ease, achieving a speed of 60 mph in just 6.1 seconds.
While it’s true that a 0-60 mph time of 6.1 seconds is impressive under such challenging conditions, it’s important to note that simply having all-wheel drive isn’t sufficient for success on slick roads. One of the most overlooked aspects of both acceleration and braking is tire selection. Consumer Reports has found that using the correct tires for specific conditions, like winter tires instead of all-season ones, can significantly reduce braking distances.
However, we doubt that navigating through fields of banana peels will become a common driving scenario that necessitates the creation of specialized tires. Unless you frequently find yourself dodging trucks laden with fresh produce, we recommend using summer and winter tires according to seasonal needs.
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