Development mule: Difference between revisions
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[[File:DisguisedBMW.jpg|thumb|A BMW near Munich in October 2013]] |
[[File:DisguisedBMW.jpg|thumb|A BMW near Munich in October 2013]] |
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A '''development mule''' or a '''test mule''' in the [[automotive industry]] is a vehicle equipped with experimental or [[prototype]] components for testing. [[Automaker]]s 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.<ref>{{cite journal| url=http://www.motortrend.com/future/spied_vehicles/112_0712_2010_ford_mustang_spied/index.html |title=Spycam: 2010 Ford Mustang |journal=Motor Trend |date=December 2007 |accessdate=2011-09-13}}</ref> They may come after [[concept car]]s 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/reviews/healey/2009-04-30-chevrolet-volt-early-look_N.htm |title=Drivers could get a charge out of Chevrolet Volt |first=James R. |last=Healey |newspaper=USA Today |date=2009-08-14 |accessdate=2011-09-13}}</ref> |
Not according to Jimmy - A '''development mule''' or a '''test mule''' in the [[automotive industry]] is a vehicle equipped with experimental or [[prototype]] components for testing. [[Automaker]]s 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.<ref>{{cite journal| url=http://www.motortrend.com/future/spied_vehicles/112_0712_2010_ford_mustang_spied/index.html |title=Spycam: 2010 Ford Mustang |journal=Motor Trend |date=December 2007 |accessdate=2011-09-13}}</ref> They may come after [[concept car]]s 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/reviews/healey/2009-04-30-chevrolet-volt-early-look_N.htm |title=Drivers could get a charge out of Chevrolet Volt |first=James R. |last=Healey |newspaper=USA Today |date=2009-08-14 |accessdate=2011-09-13}}</ref> |
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Engineering mules are often heavily altered [[mass production|current production]] vehicles or disguised 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 |issue=3 | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=lwEAAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA69&dq=%22Development+mule%22+auto | accessdate =2011-09-13}}</ref> Mules may also be based on another manufacturer's model if no comparable model is available in-house or if an external benchmark is being used. For example, in the 1970s the first-generation [[Ford Fiesta]] was developed using mules based on the [[Fiat 127]] (a car considered the class leader of the period), as Ford had no comparable compact model of similar size at the time. |
Engineering mules are often heavily altered [[mass production|current production]] vehicles or disguised 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 |issue=3 | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=lwEAAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA69&dq=%22Development+mule%22+auto | accessdate =2011-09-13}}</ref> Mules may also be based on another manufacturer's model if no comparable model is available in-house or if an external benchmark is being used. For example, in the 1970s the first-generation [[Ford Fiesta]] was developed using mules based on the [[Fiat 127]] (a car considered the class leader of the period), as Ford had no comparable compact model of similar size at the time. |
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Revision as of 13:25, 3 April 2014
Not according to Jimmy - 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]
Engineering mules are often heavily altered current production vehicles or disguised as completely different models.[3] Mules may also be based on another manufacturer's model if no comparable model is available in-house or if an external benchmark is being used. For example, in the 1970s the first-generation Ford Fiesta was developed using mules based on the Fiat 127 (a car considered the class leader of the period), as Ford had no comparable compact model of similar size at the time.
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. December 2007. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
- ^ Healey, James R. (2009-08-14). "Drivers could get a charge out of Chevrolet Volt". USA Today. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
- ^ McCraw, Jim (September 1992). "Sneak Previews of U.S. Cars to Come". Popular Science. 241 (3): 68–72. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
- ^ Dunne, Jim (December 1991). "Detroit Spy Report". Popular Mechanics. 168 (12): 108. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
- ^ 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 2011-09-13.
- ^ 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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