• by Laurie Sullivan , Staff Writer @lauriesullivan, August 7, 2013

We said "slugbug," rather than physically punch someone in the arm, when passing a Volkswagen Bug on the road in another car. Anyway, now I know where the term originates. VW has launched an application called SmileDrive designed to work with any car -- even if it's not a Volkswagen -- and built the game into the app.

The app connects through Bluetooth, so pairs in the background, keeping track of distance while driving. I guess that slugbug game has a name -- Punched Up. The owner of the app gets a smile each time the car passes a VW Bug owner using the app. Points are given for extra achievements like going on an extra long ride, traveling on a holiday, and passing a lookalike car.

There's a feature called Smilecast that allows the user to name the trip and tag the passengers. It creates a database that updates friends and family members each time you take and upload a picture or create a post. Yes -- people can virtually track your trip through Sonoma wine country or through Dallas to Corpus Christi, Texas.

Some people do look for ways to share their experiences. Illustrating how SmileDrive can make driving shareable, Volkswagen has partnered with Google+ and YouTube users to capture and share their road trip stories. These brand advocates will take a thematic road trip related to their lifestyle and passions, like photography, food, and fashion. Then they will share their experience.

Google did disclose that Volkswagen and Google are sponsoring those taking the trip. Each are given a free Android phone and a loaner Volkswagen vehicle for the road trip.

Google said the promotion is part of the Art, Copy & Code project partnership. VW launched a new campaign to promote the app, featuring talent from Google+ and YouTube.

Wow -- I for sure thought the game was called "slugbug." Does being born on the East Coast vs. the West Coast have anything to do with it?