[discoverwild]

To maintain novelty till launch.

A car is sometimes tested for a couple of years before launch. Sometimes, the final design is still not ready and the basics of the car (chassis, engine, gearbox, suspension) need to be tested.

If such cars are run without camouflage, then people might tend to lose interest, the paparazzi and the competitors might pick up design cues and provide negative publicity over something that is not frozen yet. Remember what negative publicity did to the Nano.

[ex-innova-guy]

Originally Posted by Yuvuz

What could it be?

Looks like the Gloster Facelift going by the grab handles and the side step bar.

[carhead]

Doesn't the wrapping and false body moulding impact air resistance?This could then reduce mileage.

But then the advantages have been listed above.

[Divya Sharan]

Originally Posted by carhead

Doesn't the wrapping and false body moulding impact air resistance?This could then reduce mileage.

But then the advantages have been listed above.

BMW used Yamaha R1's body panels on their first S1000RR prototypes to maintain secrecy during its development. This strategy helped them test the bike without drawing attention to its unique design and features.

It's not just cars that get to have some fun.

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by carhead

Doesn't the wrapping and false body moulding impact air resistance?This could then reduce mileage.

But then the advantages have been listed above.

Any test to do with fuel efficiency, aerodynamics etc would be done in closed spaces with a simulation of real world conditions. With the camo, weight of the vehicle also changes and this is a factor to be considered as well. Hence, real world testing of such topics happen only very late into the development cycle, where the camo only is basic stickering and no false panels etc.