First clear look at GR86 / BRZ prototype during testing

[gymratter]

imo they are probably just testing tires. pretty sure this was the test mule with the new drivetrain.

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137352

[yurikaze]

Everything I can see points to it being a test mule. This particular one is another of the hodgepodge mules that gets used to test everything, check out the BRZ badging with the 86 rear bumper. It also was previously testing some aerodynamics, check out the drilled holes and leftover brackets for mounting sideskirts and rear spats. In this case I'm willing to bet it's a powertrain reliability mule. They'll use these things to rack up miles on the new drivetrain while trying to remain incognito (which is weird because they ALWAYS pull or cover the badges on these things which makes them stand out.) They probably put in some severe duty track testing which is why it looks to be running RE71R's or Direzzas.
I've got a degree in automotive design and live in LA, and have lived in Detroit, two common stomping grounds of development mules, and everything about this car screams test mule, specifically a very late stage reliability test mule.

[gymratter]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

The jkim85 dude they keep quoting as an expert from the other forum has not been right on one single thing he has posted yet so is hardly a reliable source of information. In fact he has been corrected by a member from here several times. The "popular" blog that the clickbait references has a whole 115 members and 780 posts so not exactly an official statement. In fact they are yet another place that takes other people's photos and slap their watermark on it as if it was theirs. The whole site is just dripping with bullshit yet once again some fools will fall for it.
It is on the internet so must be true!

doing some more digging the pics in question was originally posted on vwvortex by SchnellFowVay before being stolen and making its way onto the super popular gr86org

https://forums.vwvortex.com/showthre...h-217-HP/page9

Originally Posted by SchnellFowVay

I just saw a test mule tonight (presumably doing hot weather testing or something else out here in the mojave/Death Valley).

At first, I saw the Michigan plate, which is pretty common out here (Las Vegas is filled with midwesterners). Then I noticed that the car's badging was taped over. Then I started thinking, "hmmm, that car looks a bit weird."

So I dropped way back in traffic to slow down and look at the guy. He noticed me doing this and sped up. So then I sped up. And so on and so forth until we got off at the same exit.

Basically, the car is clearly a test mule based upon the current BR-Z (although it has what appears to be the current Toyota front bumper :confused with Subaru badging (that is covered by tape). The bumpers seemed to have some sort of weird tape covering on them. Numerous sensors can be seen around the car (look behind the rear passenger wheel).

When I got close, I saw the "Manufacturer" Michigan plate. Bingo. Then I looked inside the car (which I did not have time to get a picture of), and then entire thing was pretty much gutted. No stereo, no nothing. Just empty space and wires.

Assuming that this was a powertrain mule (which I believe that it is), I heard the guy accelerate uphill from a red light. The exhaust seemed louder than a factory car would be.

And can I tell you this: there was no turbocharger. That was the sound of an N/A Subaru boxer-4.

[nikitopo]

Never seen such kind of test mule and I've seen A LOT of test mules in my life. I just don't like to take pictures on the road just to post them on a forum. A very late stage reliability test mule? This car has not any relation with the real test mules shown some weeks ago, apart from the silly taper over the badges. Where are the side fender vents? And there is no evidence about a new power train under the hood. Some guys have a big imagination!

[dpfarr]

That’s different car? Looks the same..

[NaturallyAspirated]

I don't know what *that car* is supposed to be, but interesting that the guy pointed out it has a Toyota 86 front bumper. What's not mentioned is that the rear bumper is from the 86 too (there's little horizontal features on each side of the exhaust opening). Its got a BRZ trunk and fender vents, so there's some mixing/matching going on.

[mazeroni]

You guys are... funny.

We have a near production-spec camo car with about 95% of the exterior details visible, like wheels, brakes, and no intercooler behind the grill, but you are more interested in speculating about that white car and what it could mean for the new car despite its only notable features being a stripped out interior and tape...

[86MLR]

Originally Posted by mazeroni

You guys are... funny.

We have a near production-spec camo car with about 95% of the exterior details visible, like wheels, brakes, and no intercooler behind the grill, but you are more interested in speculating about that white car and what it could mean for the new car despite its only notable features being a stripped out interior and tape...

Really....then the next twin is only a "refresh" like the 2017 models.......

Meh, I will wait for the real slim shady to stand up

[Iceman]

Originally Posted by Sasquachulator

they seem to have done a thorough job of covering up all the exterior badging that you can see.

-Rear Subaru logo is taped up.
-Subaru text decal is also taped up.
-center wheel caps are gone.

The only conclusion that i can draw from it is that the car is POSSIBLY a test mule of SOME KIND.

I dont really understand why manufacturers cover up the badges in situations like this.....the car is clearly a Subaru based on the design (in this case...its a BRZ/86 because...thats what they look like). Are they going all superman and thinking a badge coverup is just gonna completely change the car from obvious to anonymous?

What I find funny about that kind of stuff is, they actually draw more attention to it. If they didn’t cover the logos, no one would care about that car...

But it is pretty common.

Originally Posted by nikitopo

Never seen such kind of test mule and I've seen A LOT of test mules in my life. I just don't like to take pictures on the road just to post them on a forum. A very late stage reliability test mule? This car has not any relation with the real test mules shown some weeks ago, apart from the silly taper over the badges. Where are the side fender vents? And there is no evidence about a new power train under the hood. Some guys have a big imagination!

You haven’t seen that many then You can see cars with just the logos covered around the Nordschleife quite often. And specially Toyota/Subaru have done it before. BMW or Mercedes also tend to cover just the logos in some. Pretty absurd if you ask me, but not uncommon.
And in this case there’s also the 86 bumper, etc.

No fender vents would mean it’s just a different kind of mule, or different stage. It may not even be related to next-gen, so who cares. Manufacturers do a lot of testing that goes unnoticed and we don’t get to know the whole picture, and older mules keep running even when the newer/pre-production ones are bein tested... It’s no big deal, kinda pointless to wonder/deny so much about those pictures.

Originally Posted by mazeroni

You guys are... funny.

We have a near production-spec camo car with about 95% of the exterior details visible, like wheels, brakes, and no intercooler behind the grill, but you are more interested in speculating about that white car and what it could mean for the new car despite its only notable features being a stripped out interior and tape...

I totally agree with this

[beltax90]

Just spotted another mule... In my garage?? can sadly confirm that it isnt turbo.

[Dirty Harry]

Originally Posted by Iceman

What I find funny about that kind of stuff is, they actually draw more attention to it. If they didn’t cover the logos, no one would care about that car...

Yeah I thought the same thing, the tape and everything makes it look more conspicuous, whereas no one would probably notice a different looking number plate.

Maybe they tape it up deliberately to draw attention to it so it gets posted/leaked on forums . Publicity stunt?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by NaturallyAspirated

I don't know what *that car* is supposed to be, but interesting that the guy pointed out it has a Toyota 86 front bumper. What's not mentioned is that the rear bumper is from the 86 too (there's little horizontal features on each side of the exhaust opening). Its got a BRZ trunk and fender vents, so there's some mixing/matching going on.

THAT'S IT!
It is really just an 86 with a BRZ trunk and garnish swap. The poor dude is ashamed so covered up the badges.

[Sasquachulator]

Originally Posted by beltax90

Just spotted another mule... In my garage?? can sadly confirm that it isnt turbo.

New shade of red confirmed????

[nikitopo]

Hmm.. it looks that the new model will have an electronic parking brake (handbrake).