Why and how do brands camouflage their test cars?

This is how brands camouflage their cars during the testing phase before they go on sale, so that they are kept safe from “prying eyes”.

Advances in 3D simulation using powerful computers are saving manufacturers many hours of real-world testing during the development phase of a new model, before its official presentation and market launch.

But in the end, especially when it comes to completely new cars or new technologies, such as hybrid or electric cars, real-world tests are necessary to assess reliability. And these tests must be carried out in different parts of the world, to subject the vehicles to the rigours of heat, high altitudes…

For this reason, in addition to their own development centres, many manufacturers set up temporary bases in locations for testing, whether in the Arctic Circle, in various deserts… In Spain, for example, it is common to come across mule or test vehicles in the province of Granada, on the road leading up to the Veleta peak. The conditions are fantastic for testing, as they allow you to go from sea level to an elevation of 3,400 metres in a very short time.

Camouflage of military origin and inspired by nature

As you can imagine, the reason for using camouflage on these test vehicles is not to go unnoticed. Most of the time, their striking decoration even makes them more conspicuous. The aim is not to be recognised.

Bear in mind that manufacturers carry out real road tests months before the final car is presented to the press. Keeping its final silhouette hidden is key to not losing the “surprise” factor with the public. But here too, brands protect themselves from the competition.

And they draw inspiration from military techniques, as well as from nature itself. Ships were among the first to use a special paint to go unnoticed against the water, to counter the threat of submarines in wartime. And animals such as zebras have always shown the confusion that black stripes on a white background create for the human eye… and for photographic cameras.

That is why there are departments with technicians specialising in camouflage, who start their work even before the vehicle exists and is just a three-dimensional image on a computer. Bear in mind that it is not only a matter of applying a special paint or vinyl wraps to the bodywork, which nowadays could, to a certain extent, be easily removed with photo editing software.

It is increasingly common to find cars with appendages integrated in an attempt to disguise their silhouette. And these elements must be easy to fit and remove, and provide safety when driving at different speeds and in any weather conditions.

In this regard, one of the areas that causes the technicians the most headaches is the headlights. If you want to keep their shapes hidden, they have to be partially covered, but then you cannot test their lighting functions, and you could even be breaking the law when driving.

Currently, the method of vinyl wrapping the bodywork, with a decoration that uses motifs and colours that create effects to confuse the human eye or the cameras of the “paparazzi”, is the most widely used. Here, “polystrong” is gaining ground in place of vinyl, as it is a stronger and more resistant material.

However, as they are safe from prying eyes except when stopping for a break, the interior of the prototypes does not require as much work. Here, the simplest method is still used: a removable cover attached with Velcro, which covers the dashboard when necessary.

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