To me a test mule is simply anything with prototype components that has not run down a final production line.
Wikipedia agrees!
"A development mule, also known as test mule or simply mule, in the automotive industry is a testbed vehicle equipped with prototype components requiring evaluation. They are often camouflaged to cover their designs."
If y'all enjoy arguing about definition of non-standard terms, have at it!
To me a test mule is simply anything with prototype components that has not run down a final production line.
Wikipedia agrees!
"A development mule, also known as test mule or simply mule, in the automotive industry is a testbed vehicle equipped with prototype components requiring evaluation. They are often camouflaged to cover their designs."
If y'all enjoy arguing about definition of non-standard terms, have at it!
The context is definitely being used incorrectly and Wikipedia is a horribly unreliable source, especially automotive Wikipedia with the cluster**** it has been for years.
The world at large (mainstream) sucks at accurately at understanding and correctly defining aspects of automobiles, let alone the intricacies automotive product development. The average person generally just doesn't.
A test vehicle fully representative of the production body in white is not a mule. I don't care if one random journalist or Wikipedia thinks otherwise. It's not correct and very misleading tbh. I keep seeing this and it's pretty annoying, when there's a difference.
A 200-Series Land Cruiser testing 300-Series components underneath would be a test mule. A 300-Series sheet metal and all covered up in "camo", is not a development mule. Same applies to the new 4Runner. We've never seen Gen 6 mules and probably never will, unless we get a behind the scenes development story from Toyota.
Great to finally start seeing these anyway.
I've shot many mules and pre-production vehicles over the years. The eastern Sierra Nevada of California and nearby Death Valley National Park is a hot bed of manufacturers testing in rapidly changing conditions. I lived there until 2008.
BMW used to test annually where I lived, including Mini, Rolls Royce. I've found many Audis, Chryslers, Fords, Jaguars, Hyundai/Kias.
BMW 3-series.
BMW 5-series.
BMW 3-series. Which side has the steering wheel? The driver came out of the mini mart and got into the right hand side and drove off.
BMW X-series. Note the bell tower on the hood. I found later that they were testing hybrid technology.
Another BMW, either an X or it looks like it could be a wagon.
What became the Dodge Journey.
A Hyundai Santa Fe.
A Jaguar XF mule.
A second Jaguar XF. The driver of the first car caught me taking photos of him, so when we got ahead the second car pulled out and they boxed me in, slowed me down onto the shoulder of the road and then took off at high speed.
Shooting mules can be fun and addictive!
These are some very great old shots! Amazing, especially seeing the X5 M mule!
I love this stuff. You're one of those well known spy photographers? Great to hear from ya, keep these old shots coming!
My point only was, I don't we will ever see any Gen 6 4Runner mules, because this is the final thing running around and not one of those. Not all test vehicles that are covered are necessarily mules
Call em pre-production "blah-blahs", "testers or just prototypes. Just not mules, when it's the real deal in final shape. The definition of a mule (animal) contradicts the obvious misuse of the term by many automotive writers or enthusiasts.
The interior and exterior, as well as underbody are probably identical to the production model tooling. Any test vehicle with that level of finality being called a mule, is disingenuous.
The new Tacoma had mules based on shortened Tundras, while the '22 Tundra mules wore a hodgepodge of the 2022 front fascia parts mixed with old 2G Tundra face and body. You had old 200 Series testing the 300, as mules. Toyota kept 99% of the actual thing in camo well hidden during 2019 and 2021.
It's crazy how these stayed under the radar this long, while we got to see Tacoma and Tundra testing for well over 2 years before they even came out. Toyota has been really secretive with the 4Runner/Land Cruiser/GX compared to the pickups, we knew pretty much everything about forever.
