Test mules
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Sunnybrook Alberta
Test mules
I was just thinking when will the test mules be out they can only test in a lab so long after a while they have to test them in real conditions. And when they do come out what proving grounds will they be tested at. Does anyone now?
Melting Slicks
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From: Westford MA
Re: Test mules (canadianvette)
I would imagine that they are out there already, and look identical to C5's. Remember that this car uses basically the same architecture as the C5, so fitting C5 skin onto one is not a problem. Chances are you wouldn't know one if you saw it, because it'd look so normal.
Scott
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Re: Test mules (Senna1994)
Why make it look like a C5 for on street testing, when they can jack up a XLR body and drive a C6 right underneath?
The only giveaway might be the wheels but that wouldn't be too tricky. Tint the windows so nobody can see the Corvette guts and viola, perfect test mule. You could drive it right by the photogs and wave all day long.
The only giveaway might be the wheels but that wouldn't be too tricky. Tint the windows so nobody can see the Corvette guts and viola, perfect test mule. You could drive it right by the photogs and wave all day long.
Le Mans Master
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Re: Test mules (jholmes)
Why make it look like a C5 for on street testing, when they can jack up a XLR body and drive a C6 right underneath?
The only giveaway might be the wheels but that wouldn't be too tricky. Tint the windows so nobody can see the Corvette guts and viola, perfect test mule. You could drive it right by the photogs and wave all day long.
The only giveaway might be the wheels but that wouldn't be too tricky. Tint the windows so nobody can see the Corvette guts and viola, perfect test mule. You could drive it right by the photogs and wave all day long.
Drifting
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From: Noblesville IN
Re: Test mules (canadianvette)
A Corvette Team member told our local club at our banquet Saturday night that test cars with the real C6 skin would start testing this summer. They will have all the covers and cardboard and strange paint that the C5 mules had:
David
David
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From: Spacecoast Florida
Re: Test mules (canadianvette)
Read thread - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=474231 .
probably the best hypthosis regarding your "test mule" questions.
Is the Artic really part of the 'Vette test regimen? I know of some pretty damn cold cryo facilities that can get colder than a winter acrtic night.
Come on now - the Arctic??? :rolleyes:
probably the best hypthosis regarding your "test mule" questions.
Is the Artic really part of the 'Vette test regimen? I know of some pretty damn cold cryo facilities that can get colder than a winter acrtic night.
Come on now - the Arctic??? :rolleyes:
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Re: Test mules (keith5)
The C6 "mules" if there were any are probably long in the crusher. Mules represent a very early form of a new design, but since the C6 is essentially a refined C5 architecture they may not have built any. The CERV IV was the C5 mule that incorporated the C5 structural architecture disguised in C4 body panels. It cost GM over a million dollars to build, but it proved out the C5 structural concept and was the technical hurdle that allowed the program to advance.
The cars that are being tested now are "alpha" and soon, if not already, "beta" build cars. These represent prototype parts that are increasingly close to final production configuration. Though GM will attempt to disguise them with camaflouge paint schemes and some cobbled up trim, I expect we will be seeing the first spy shots in the not too distant future.
Duke
The cars that are being tested now are "alpha" and soon, if not already, "beta" build cars. These represent prototype parts that are increasingly close to final production configuration. Though GM will attempt to disguise them with camaflouge paint schemes and some cobbled up trim, I expect we will be seeing the first spy shots in the not too distant future.
Duke
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From: Katy Texas
Re: Test mules (keith5)
Is the Artic really part of the 'Vette test regimen? I know of some pretty damn cold cryo facilities that can get colder than a winter acrtic night.
Come on now - the Arctic??? :rolleyes:
Come on now - the Arctic??? :rolleyes:
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Re: Test mules (keith5)
As already stated the Mules are among us. I would guess that the XLR is the best disguise for engine and electronics testing but sooner or later the full C6 paneled car will have to be tested in the obligitory camo.
If you see a Cadillac XLR parked in an out of the way location it would certainly be worthy of a closer inspection.
In the book "All Corvettes are Red" They talk of testing the C5 mules in the Arizona Desert at 100+ degrees F for hot weather testing and in Michigan, Minnesota and various locations in Canada at -40 degrees F for cold weather testing.
[Modified by 2k2C5, 5:26 PM 1/20/2003]
If you see a Cadillac XLR parked in an out of the way location it would certainly be worthy of a closer inspection.
In the book "All Corvettes are Red" They talk of testing the C5 mules in the Arizona Desert at 100+ degrees F for hot weather testing and in Michigan, Minnesota and various locations in Canada at -40 degrees F for cold weather testing.
[Modified by 2k2C5, 5:26 PM 1/20/2003]
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Re: Test mules (2k2C5)
In the book "All Corvettes are Red" They talk of testing the C5 mules in the Arizona Desert at 100+ degrees F for hot weather testing and in Michigan, Minnesota and various locations in Canada at -40 degrees F for cold weather testing.
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Re: Test mules (keith5)
Is the Artic really part of the 'Vette test regimen? I know of some pretty damn cold cryo facilities that can get colder than a winter acrtic night.
Come on now - the Arctic??? :rolleyes:
Come on now - the Arctic??? :rolleyes:
1.) Research
2.) Speak
Not vice versa
In the book "All Corvettes are Red" They talk of testing the C5 mules in the Arizona Desert at 100+ degrees F for hot weather testing and in Michigan, Minnesota and various locations in Canada at -40 degrees F for cold weather testing.
For comparison, the Arctic Tundra Province on the arctic coastal plain of Alaska has a severe arctic climate that goes as low as -60 F in winter.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Orange County CA
Re: Test mules (Scissors)
Is the Artic really part of the 'Vette test regimen? I know of some pretty damn cold cryo facilities that can get colder than a winter acrtic night.
Come on now - the Arctic??? :rolleyes:
Yes, it is. The proper order should be:
1.) Research
2.) Speak
Not vice versa
In the book "All Corvettes are Red" They talk of testing the C5 mules in the Arizona Desert at 100+ degrees F for hot weather testing and in Michigan, Minnesota and various locations in Canada at -40 degrees F for cold weather testing.
Exactly. -40 F certainly sounds quite arctic to me.
For comparison, the Arctic Tundra Province on the arctic coastal plain of Alaska has a severe arctic climate that goes as low as -60 F in winter.
Come on now - the Arctic??? :rolleyes:
Yes, it is. The proper order should be:
1.) Research
2.) Speak
Not vice versa
In the book "All Corvettes are Red" They talk of testing the C5 mules in the Arizona Desert at 100+ degrees F for hot weather testing and in Michigan, Minnesota and various locations in Canada at -40 degrees F for cold weather testing.
Exactly. -40 F certainly sounds quite arctic to me.
For comparison, the Arctic Tundra Province on the arctic coastal plain of Alaska has a severe arctic climate that goes as low as -60 F in winter.
Thank you, its nice to know there are people in the forum that check their facts before talking trash.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Northville, MI
Re: Test mules (Sanctuary)
In November, GM ran the C6 prototype (beta) production at Bowling Green. Everyone I have talk to who has worked on the project is extremely quiet on their contribution. Secrecy is even more so than the C5 introduction. The only info I have heard from anyone is the wheelabase will be longer and the overall length shorter than the C5. Time will tell. Engine wise everything is quiet about development. When the Z06 was going from 385 to 405 hp it was talked about quite often in Dec/Jan before introduction. The only talk I hear this year is about a 6.6L but that could also be a truck engine. Keep a look out for Michigan "manufacturers" plates as the cold and warm weather testing is going on now. Especially in AZ, CO, MN and MI.
Drifting
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From: Chapel Hill NC
Re: Test mules (Gordy M)
Facinating.
The C-5 betas were built in the Bumper-to-Bumper Shop in Michigan. With the C-6 being an evolution of the C-5 and with the XLR being in the "lets see if we can build it good enough for sale" state at Bowling Green, there's no reason some of this construction can't be going on there. It is harder to keep things hidden and it is a bit far from where the engineers are located! But, it could be a sound financial decision. Besides, that way Bowling Green gets the learning experience right off the bat. :cool:
The C-5 betas were built in the Bumper-to-Bumper Shop in Michigan. With the C-6 being an evolution of the C-5 and with the XLR being in the "lets see if we can build it good enough for sale" state at Bowling Green, there's no reason some of this construction can't be going on there. It is harder to keep things hidden and it is a bit far from where the engineers are located! But, it could be a sound financial decision. Besides, that way Bowling Green gets the learning experience right off the bat. :cool:
Le Mans Master
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Re: Test mules (chadwick)
Is the Artic really part of the 'Vette test regimen? I know of some pretty damn cold cryo facilities that can get colder than a winter acrtic night.
Come on now - the Arctic??? :rolleyes:
Yeah, it is. GM uses a town in Canada on the Southern end of Hudson Bay.
Come on now - the Arctic??? :rolleyes:
Yeah, it is. GM uses a town in Canada on the Southern end of Hudson Bay.