Secret spy-shots/caught undisguised/weird paintwork

[Blown2CV]

So, it's common knowledge that this is all bks right? I mean, there is no need to test a car anywhere that the public might see it, if you were genuinely trying to keep a secret. Cars driving down the M40 on a weekday in rush hour with a 'disguise' i.e. black and white swirly paintwork... not really hiding anything is it? Seems to happen a lot these days, mysterious model info leaks, pictures (often very good quality), not so secret indicators to future models in released documents. I'm not saying it is anything new, just it seems to happen a lot more and is a lot more thinly-veiled and obvious. Bit silly I think.

I am prepared that the first reply will be "yea been over a million times, here's a list of thread links"

[PoleDriver]

It's done to get feedback.

Someone on here will put up a picture of the car which was 'accidentally' seen, Petrolheads will voice their opinions, manufacturer will react:-

PH doesn't like it... Manufacturer can make changes because "nothing official has yet been released"!
PH does like it... Manufacturer releases it early!

Some/all of the above may not be true

[Orbin]

i can see the headlines now ... [insert car here] fails after never being tested on the road.