PLAYFUL DESIGN: Fun Hidden Messages and Treasures on Modern Vehicles
April 28, 2021
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
A tiny red drawing of a Willys MB is hidden on the wheels of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon – just one of many “Easter eggs” found in the automotive world.
It’s usually gone in an instant: A quippy bit of dialogue or visual reference that teases the audience, ever so slightly breaking the fourth wall. “Did you see that? Did you hear that?” the eagle-eyed will exclaim. These days it’s hard to watch or read anything without someone pointing out one of these covert tidbits, better known as “Easter eggs.” They populate nearly every medium, providing a way for creators to share an inside joke or subtle reference with their audience, from spotting the Pizza Planet truck in a Pixar film to finding the “Dirty Harry” reference in your favorite video game. Easter eggs have become a mainstay of popular culture – so much so that several automakers have taken note. From nods to a marque’s heritage, clever digs at rival manufacturers and hidden graphics, these secret surprises share the fun of automotive design. Here are just a few of our favorites – go check them out at your local dealership and see if you can find them!
The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX Launch Edition features a number of cheeky hidden messages.
2021 RAM TRX
Let’s get the obvious out of the way first: The TRX (pronounced T-Rex) name is a lighthearted poke at Ford’s Baja-conquering F-150 Raptor. But, beyond the name, the TRX goes a step further. Hidden under the hood and beneath a removable plastic cover, the TRX features a graphic of its Late Cretaceous namesake quite literally chomping down on a Velociraptor. It’s an image straight from the ending of Steven Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park” film, one that’s sure to reveal a toothy grin on all who find it. But wait – there’s more! Tucked away in the Tyrant Pickup King’s center console you’ll find yet another poke at Ford’s Raptor. A size comparison chart, complete with man, the TRX, its namesake – the Tyrant Lizard King – and a velociraptor, all drawn to “correct scale.” Ram surely knew its target audience and, with 702hp on tap, we can’t wait to see how Ford’s Raptor answers the challenge of the Ram TRX.
A Willys MB Jeep climbs the corner of the windshield on some models.
JEEP
The Jeep brand has become known in the automotive industry for its quirky “Easter eggs” hidden throughout its vehicle portfolio, maintaining that the hidden images add more fun to the ownership experience. The company started the tradition with the 2011 Grand Cherokee, when they added small Jeep grilles inside the headlamp bulb shields. A refresh on the Wrangler saw the addition of a small side profile of a Jeep climbing up from the corner of the windshield. On the 2017 Compass, a tiny lizard was molded into the plastic under the driver’s side windshield wiper. The company has embraced the concept so much that, in 2020, they even held a contest for fans to design the next “Easter egg,” with the winner scoring a brand-new Jeep.
The 2021 Ford Bronco has its share of Easter eggs as well.
2021 FORD BRONCO
Built wild – and with a good sense of humor to boot. Ford’s all-new 2021 Bronco was easily one of the most hotly anticipated vehicles in decades. The design team at Ford was more than happy to oblige with plenty of covert messages, incorporating several nods to the Bronco’s heritage and prowess as an off-roader. Even with optional 17-inch wheels and 35-inch tires, Ford knows that owners of the new Bronco will want to go bigger. That’s why, tucked in the wheel well, you’ll find the words “Lift Me Baby” engraved on the fender liners. Lift the fuel door and you’ll see a family portrait of the original 1966 Ford Bronco line with all the available body styles: the U13 roadster, U14 half-cab and U15 wagon. Built for serious off-roaders, the 2021 Bronco’s 12-inch display doubles as an inclinometer – but look closely and you’ll notice the car graphic on screen is of a first-generation Bronco. Talk about keeping it all in the family!
Among the several lunar-themed Easter eggs on the 2022 Hummer EV is a map of the Sea of Tranquility – landing site of Apollo 11 – in the door speaker grilles.
2022 GMC HUMMER EV
The idea of launch mode on a Hummer may take some getting used to, but it’s no mistake that the “Watts To Freedom” acronym is WTF. Perfect – and surely something passengers will shout when the all-electric GMC Hummer EV deploys all 1,000 horses. But having a WTF mode isn’t the only playful thing about the new Hummer. The letter H is featured throughout the design, most noticeably in the lighting fixtures and, if you look closely, the front grille. The Hummer EV likens itself to the “moonshot” of Apollo 11 and features several lunar-themed Easter eggs. Lift the carpet in the driver’s footwell and you’ll find an imprint of Neil Armstrong’s boot. Glance at the speaker grilles and the design is a map of the Sea of Tranquility, the landing site of Apollo 11. Whether the surface is lunar or terrestrial, the Hummer EV will do it in style.
Take a closer look at the headlights on the 2005-06 Ford GT for an homage to the company’s centennial.
2005-06 FORD GT
When Ford needed a car to make a statement and commemorate the company’s centennial anniversary, they went back to Le Mans and resurrected the legendary GT. The design was pure ’60s racing theater: It enjoyed wide haunches, scalloped intakes and a rakish profile. But on closer inspection of the driver’s side headlight cluster, the lights spell out 1-0-0 – a playful nod in recognition of Ford’s 100-year anniversary.
All Tesla models have highly entertaining “Easter eggs” just waiting to be discovered. (Photo courtesy of Tesla Inc.)
TESLA
The electric car maker Tesla is known for pushing the envelope – especially when it comes to Easter eggs. There are so many throughout Tesla’s lineup – an Easter egg unto itself (the model names spell S3XY) – there’s even an entire Wikipedia page dedicated to the subject. From call backs to the Mel Brooks film “Space Balls” and Bond’s submarine to a whoopie cushion, celebration mode and climate control features activated with rather lewd voice commands, the engineers at Tesla clearly have a sense of humor, and the automotive world is all the better for it.