Toyota RND Concept Is Actually Just An Auris With A Red Nose

Earlier this week, Toyota announced that they would be unveiling a new production-ready model in the UK, and as they boasted that the new car—dubbed the RND Concept—had “the potential to transform the look of every vehicle on the road,” I was pretty excited to see what they had up their sleeve.

Now that I know, however, all I can do is shake my head in disapproval.

Toyota originally said that details about their latest concept would be announced next week when it made its official debut, but they apparently couldn’t hold it in any longer. It was just TOO good to wait.

All of the anticipated specs about the RND Concept were leaked today, and as it turns out, the “face-changing” new concept is about as real as the HondaHAIR. The “concept” is nothing more than a Toyota Auris with an oversized plastic red nose attached to the front of it.

YOU GOT US, TOYOTA!!!

OMG!!! Soooo funny!!!

According to the automaker, the RND was just a hilariously-elaborate joke to promote and acquire funds for Red Nose Day, an event held every other year that, from what I understand, consists of UK residents wearing red noses to help raise money for charity.

Perhaps Toyota thought this whole scheme would be fitting as the benefiting charity is entitled Comic Relief, but the problem is that no one seems to be laughing.

Technically, there was nothing untrue in the press release that Toyota sent out this past Wednesday— the red nose is production ready, and has the ability to transform the look of every vehicle on the road—but as just about everyone expected something truly game-changing to come from the announcement of the new concept, it’s no surprise that the reaction isn’t quite as positive as Toyota likely hoped it would be.

Maybe this whole thing will get some laughs on the other side of the pond, but as an American who frankly couldn’t give two shits about Red Nose Day, and who expected big things to come from this whole thing, I can’t help but be a little bitter about it all.

If you want to get your hands on one of the red noses, you’re pretty much shit out of luck unless you live in the UK. Toyota is currently selling them on eBay for £5 a pop, and says that they will be available in dealerships starting next month, just in time for Red Nose Day, which is scheduled to take place on Friday, March 13.

Am I just being a dick, or does someone out there agree with me here? Feel free to back me up or rip me a new one in the comments below.