---
title: "No, This Fake Viral Video Doesn’t Show the Apple Car"
description: "It fooled millions of people who are dreaming about trackball wheels, though."
date: "2020-12-26"
modified: "2020-12-26"
authors:
  - name: "Kristin V. Shaw"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/kristin-shaw"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/38430/no-this-fake-viral-video-doesnt-show-the-apple-car"
categories:
  - "Features"
  - "News"
  - "Watch This"
---

# No, This Fake Viral Video Doesn’t Show the Apple Car

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/12/Apple-car-HERO-2.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

The Apple Car was back in the news this week–possibly back from the dead–which could explain why people jumped all over [a video](<https://mobile.twitter.com/quinnjmiller/status/1342291423492624385?s=21>) purporting to show the concept. Millions and millions of views later, there are a whole lot of people out there believing that a Christmas miracle brought it to life.

While trackball wheels are a longtime sci-fi daydream, this video is a [CGI](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/37226/gm-hasnt-actually-made-a-complete-working-hummer-ev-yet>) fake. Even worse, it’s actually a 3D model of a Mercedes concept car from 2013. Whoever created this video slapped an Apple logo on a Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo. And trackball wheels like this are physically impossible (for now, at least). Cue sad trombone sound.

https://youtube.com/embed/fNS50MkMM5M

Even if the Apple Car is viable and the project is still in play, it’s so far from this kind of testing stage that it’s not even funny. As [we reported](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/38346/apple-still-plans-to-build-the-apple-car-despite-disastrous-first-attempt-report>) a few days ago, Taiwan's [*Economic Daily News*](<https://money.udn.com/money/story/5612/5108191>) broke the news that a supply chain source claimed an Apple-branded electric vehicle would debut in 2021, followed by a worldwide release in 2022.

"The key supply chain in Taiwan confirmed that Apple expects to release the Apple Car in September next year, at least two years earlier than the original plan. Its prototype has been tested on the roads in California, USA. In response to the demand for Apple Car sourcing, Taiwanese manufacturers such as Taiwan and BizLink are busy," the site reads.

As Lee Corso says on ESPN's College GameDay during NCAA football season, [*MacRumors*](<https://www.macrumors.com/2020/12/20/sketchy-report-says-apple-car-coming-2021/>) said “not so fast, my friend.” The aggressive release timeline, especially in the middle of a pandemic that has wreaked havoc on [supply chains](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/35260/fords-1-9-billion-q2-loss-is-somehow-good-news-because-its-not-as-bad-as-wall-street-expected>) around the world, didn't sit well with them. And then there's *MacRumors'* assessment that "*Economic Daily News* has a mixed track record with Apple rumors."

![message-editor%2F1609021696938-applecarmercconcept.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1609021696938-applecarmercconcept.jpg>)
**YouTube**

Fake CGI videos aren’t uncommon (like this one about a vandalized [Bugatti](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/26847/this-video-of-a-3m-bugatti-chiron-destroyed-by-a-scorned-woman-is-a-complete-fake>)), and they’re getting more sophisticated all the time. If you take a hard look at one about the imaginary Apple Car, you’ll see the shadows don’t match up and it’s low resolution, which camouflages the CGI seams you might spot otherwise. But still, you can bet that right now, someone is searching “Apple car” and trying to figure out a way to get on the waiting list. They’ll stand outside of the Apple store all night if they have to.

They will be waiting for quite a while. Maybe forever.

*Got a tip? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com*

## Author
Kristin Shaw is the former Weekend Editor for The Drive and a current freelancer in both the automotive and aviation worlds. She’s a big fan of anything car-related and calls on her technology background on the corporate side to explain engineering and high-tech concepts. Now living in her sixth state (New Jersey, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, and now Texas), she is thrilled that working from home is now mainstream.

### Author social links  
[Facebook](<https://facebook.com/DriveModeShow>)  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/KristinVShaw>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/KristinVShaw>)