2016 test mules spotted today.

0830 in Orange, Ca. at the top of Jamboree and Chapman.
These guys always stop here when they're out for Coffee and potty break.
White AC Pre-runner with every panel covered and steel wheels.
Also a couple others that looked to be Lexus NX's of some sort.

 

Sweet.

 

hmmm interesting

 

Toyota really does not need to put camo on the Tacoma. We have all seen it so it is kinda pointless.....

 

Looks like that one has the TSB springs

 

only on the east coast...

 

Yep , that's the only place there is rust

 

There is also Canada

 

Always find it funny that all the Toyota test vehicles I see here in OC have Michigan plates.

 

Because every Auto manufacturer has a technical center in Michigan, and they also get special tax breaks from the state. Easiest way to spot a test mule is by the special "M" plate (small M in the center) which is used on every test/prototype car registered in Michigan. I saw a 2016 DCLB covered in digital camo blow pass me on the highway (US-23) about 2 miles north of TTC 3 weeks ago.

 

Learn something new everyday

 

Probably that's why they stopped to see if frame started rusting after they drove over the puddle.
They test those cars to get food, no wonder focus is on number of cup holders instead of Offroad capability, or a payload, or a towing....

 

LMAO!!!

 

I live in the foothills at the base of a canyon that leads up to Estes Park Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park and ultimately Trail Ridge Road which is the highest paved road in the country (world?). I regularly have seen test mules comes through town on their way up for high altitude testing. It's funny when we do because I'm feverishly chasing them down trying to get pics & details and my life is like 'What the hell are you doing?' until I explained to her what they were. As such, I get to see many all-new models up close & personal before a lot of people do. Makes me feel special.

 

I always said we needed more cup holders.

 

Wtf that's in my hood!
Wish I had seen them

 

Quick question...Are you also on gixxer.com?

 

I was for about a decade or so starting in the late 90's.

 

You may have helped solve a mystery for me. I am in Houston, TX and there is a guy in my neighborhood that always has a different brand new car with these plates. They are always different makes and models. Right now he has a VW golf or something but he had what looked to be a new Titan not too long ago and he had the Colorado either right before or just after they released. One of these days I'm gonna go knock on his door and ask him what he does for a living. It drives me crazy every time I pass his house.

 

I live in CO also. Trail Ridge is only a little over 12,000 feet. Mt. Evans in CO is the highest paved road in NA. 14,240 feet. Mt. Evans is 2nd or 3rd highest paved road in the world. I biked 50 miles to the top two years ago!

But Mt. Evans is a really crappy road. Biking up was difficult. Biking down was brutal because of all the cracks in the road.

I'm sure 12,000 feet is good enough for testing. Plus they don't want to tear up their suspension on the Evans road