slEIGH-REV, Santa's New Ride

It's a sad, sad day for Rudolf, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and all of the kids who looked towards the sky hoping to catch a glimpse of December's most anticipated arrival. Unfortunately for all, Santa, apparently, gave in to the assault of the modern world and will, from now on, switch to a more motorized, reindeer-free means of transport.

According to an official statement, Santa has asked British carmaker Vauxhall to design and build a special vehicle for a very special night. Vauxhall replied with the creation of the slEigh-REV, an electric powered vehicle with enormous range (you know, Santa has a lot of ground to cover).

Details of the new sleigh have not been released, being a trade secret and all, but its builder did let slip that the batteries are continuously charged by a small engine. Yet, our elfs, infiltrated into the Vauxhall facility, claim the tech used on the sleigh is similar to the one to be found on the future Ampera model. Which, sadly, means the sleigh is made by GM...

We're not sure what drove Santa into pulling this stunt and forgot the millennial-long tradition of a reindeer-powered sleigh. Here's how he motivates the choice.

“The ’08 Model Year reindeers have taken a rest this Christmas. In their old age they’re becoming more flatulent and their increasing methane emissions just can’t be good for the environment – never mind the fact I have to sit behind them."

“I’m as pleased as punch with my new slEigh-REV supplied to me by those kind people in Luton. They tell me it uses specially adapted E-REV technology, which means I won’t have to worry about re-charging as I do my chimney drops around the world on Christmas Eve.”

So, sorry kids, this is the official story; no reindeers this year. The unofficial (and true) story is that Santa is really your father and he drives a Clio...