Development mule: Difference between revisions
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[[File:2013 Porsche 918 Spyder development mule in Monaco.jpg|thumb|[[Porsche 918]] Spyder development mule in [[Monaco]]]] |
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[[File:Nissan GT-R test mules on truck.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Two [[Nissan GT-R|Nissan GT-R "Black Mask"]] test mules on a truck in Japan]] |
[[File:Nissan GT-R test mules on truck.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Two [[Nissan GT-R|Nissan GT-R "Black Mask"]] test mules on a truck in Japan]] |
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Revision as of 12:25, 14 May 2013
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. They may also have advanced chassis and powertrain designs from a future vehicle that need to be tested, but "clothed with the body and interior of some other car about the same size.[2]
Mules are often heavily altered and the exteriors may be disguised as current production vehicles or as completely different models.[3] 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.[4]
Development mules are most often used very heavily during testing[5] and are scrapped. In unusual cases, test mules were acquired by members of the automaker's engineering team.[6][7]
References
- ^ "Spycam: 2010 Ford Mustang". Motor Trend. 2007. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Healey, James R. (2009-08-14). "Drivers could get a charge out of Chevrolet Volt". USA Today. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
- ^ McCraw, Jim (1992). "Sneak Previews of U.S. Cars to Come". Popular Science. 241 (3): 68–72. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Dunne, Jim (1991). "Detroit Spy Report". Popular Mechanics. 168 (12): 108. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ For example, "...pushed the development mule to 150.583 mph (242.340 km/h)..." Schorr, Martyn L. (1993). "Show of Force". Popular Mechanics. 180 (3): 59. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Truesdell, Richard. "John Goergen's 1966 343 prototype" (PDF). Musclecar Enthusiast: 59. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
- ^ Ohio AMX (2007-06-07). "1966 Drivable AMX Prototype". Retrieved 2011-09-13.
See also
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