Prototype camouflaging at Opel/Vauxhall

[Mr. Burns]

Camouflage and disguise are crucial when new model prototypes first leave the well-protected confines of the design studio or workshop and head out onto the test track or open road.

Although a great deal of today’s vehicle proving can be conducted in advance by computer simulation or on the test bench, there inevitably comes the day when all test results have to be validated, and the car must be released into its natural habitat – the road.

Now it’s the turn of Insignia: with an attractive, completely new body line and sculptural design, Insignia is set to cause a sensation in its class – but surprises only work if they are not revealed beforehand.

The team responsible for camouflaging prototypes began making their preparations for the test phase when the new car first progressed beyond computer simulations and clay models.

Together with chief designers and engineers, the team established which of the car’s characteristic lines should be kept hidden the longest from prototype paparazzi.

http://carbodydesign.com/archive/200...types-at-opel/


I thought this was pretty interesting, it describes how and why new cars are camouflaged.

[FenwickHockey65]

That's interesting. I think overexposure can really kill a car even before it's produced. Just look at the Camaro, everyone knows what that's going to be like, no more surprises there.