Development mule: Difference between revisions
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Mules are often heavily altered and the exteriors may be disguised as [[mass production|current production]] vehicles or as completely different models.<ref>{{Cite journal | last = McCraw | first = Jim | title = Sneak Previews of U.S. Cars to Come | journal = Popular Science | pages = 68–72 | date = September 1992 | volume = 241 | number = 3 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=lwEAAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA69&dq=%22Development+mule%22+auto&ei=njxmS7D_BY-IygSv0uTtDw&client=safari&cd=1#v=onepage&q=%22Development%20mule%22%20auto&f=false | accessdate = 2010-01-31 }}</ref> Some noticeable alterations include simple cylindric shapes for the lamps in the taillights, different rims on the front and back without centrecaps, and a severe amount of added plastic and tape to hide the actual shape and design of the vehicle.<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Dunne | first = Jim | title = Detroit Spy Report | journal = Popular Mechanics | page = 108 | date = December 1991 | volume = 168 | number = 12 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=puMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA108&dq=%22Development+mule%22+auto&ei=njxmS7D_BY-IygSv0uTtDw&client=safari&cd=3#v=onepage&q=%22Development%20mule%22%20auto&f=false | accessdate = 2010-01-31 }}</ref> They are most often used very heavily during testing<ref>For example, "...pushed the development mule to {{convert|150.583|mph|3| abbr=on}}..." {{Cite journal | last = Schorr | first = Martyn L. | title = Show of Force | journal = Popular Mechanics | page = 59 | date = March 1993 | volume = 180 | number = 3 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=c88DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56&dq=%22Development+mule%22&ei=llpmS6q2MpewyATA-7DbDw&client=safari&cd=9#v=onepage&q=%22Development%20mule%22&f=false | accessdate = 2010-01-31}}</ref> and are [[scrap]]ped. |
Mules are often heavily altered and the exteriors may be disguised as [[mass production|current production]] vehicles or as completely different models.<ref>{{Cite journal | last = McCraw | first = Jim | title = Sneak Previews of U.S. Cars to Come | journal = Popular Science | pages = 68–72 | date = September 1992 | volume = 241 | number = 3 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=lwEAAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA69&dq=%22Development+mule%22+auto&ei=njxmS7D_BY-IygSv0uTtDw&client=safari&cd=1#v=onepage&q=%22Development%20mule%22%20auto&f=false | accessdate = 2010-01-31 }}</ref> Some noticeable alterations include simple cylindric shapes for the lamps in the taillights, different rims on the front and back without centrecaps, and a severe amount of added plastic and tape to hide the actual shape and design of the vehicle.<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Dunne | first = Jim | title = Detroit Spy Report | journal = Popular Mechanics | page = 108 | date = December 1991 | volume = 168 | number = 12 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=puMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA108&dq=%22Development+mule%22+auto&ei=njxmS7D_BY-IygSv0uTtDw&client=safari&cd=3#v=onepage&q=%22Development%20mule%22%20auto&f=false | accessdate = 2010-01-31 }}</ref> They are most often used very heavily during testing<ref>For example, "...pushed the development mule to {{convert|150.583|mph|3| abbr=on}}..." {{Cite journal | last = Schorr | first = Martyn L. | title = Show of Force | journal = Popular Mechanics | page = 59 | date = March 1993 | volume = 180 | number = 3 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=c88DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56&dq=%22Development+mule%22&ei=llpmS6q2MpewyATA-7DbDw&client=safari&cd=9#v=onepage&q=%22Development%20mule%22&f=false | accessdate = 2010-01-31}}</ref> and are [[scrap]]ped. |
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Revision as of 08:26, 9 May 2010
A development mule or a test mule in the automotive industry is a vehicle equipped with experimental or prototype components for testing. Automakers evaluate aspects of vehicles before a full pre-production car is built to find problems. Mule cars are drivable, often years ahead of actual production[1]. They may come after concept cars that sometimes lack critical mechanical components.
Mules are often heavily altered and the exteriors may be disguised as current production vehicles or as completely different models.[2] Some noticeable alterations include simple cylindric shapes for the lamps in the taillights, different rims on the front and back without centrecaps, and a severe amount of added plastic and tape to hide the actual shape and design of the vehicle.[3] They are most often used very heavily during testing[4] and are scrapped.
External links
See also
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- ^ "Spycam: 2010 Ford Mustang", Motor Trend, December, 2007, retrieved 2010-01-31.
- ^ McCraw, Jim (September 1992). "Sneak Previews of U.S. Cars to Come". Popular Science. 241 (3): 68–72. Retrieved 2010-01-31.
- ^ Dunne, Jim (December 1991). "Detroit Spy Report". Popular Mechanics. 168 (12): 108. Retrieved 2010-01-31.
- ^ For example, "...pushed the development mule to 150.583 mph (242.340 km/h)..." Schorr, Martyn L. (March 1993). "Show of Force". Popular Mechanics. 180 (3): 59. Retrieved 2010-01-31.