Have you ever seen a prototype on the roads?

[loneranger]

On Warwickshire back roads you see all Jags and Range Rovers long before they are out. Aston Martins too, but they all look the same so it is no big deal.
Interesting stuff goes in and out of Ricardo as well.

In Maranello I go down the side road next to the factory and watch the prototypes coming in and out of the side entrance.

[Eifel_Yeti]

Yes
September last year :

[don1]

Fooking hell Yeti, that is an achingly gorgeous car!

I saw my first one last week. Looked like a Mazda 6, with the tape everywhere. Driver looked embarassed to be driving it...

[Eifel_Yeti]

Marquis_Rex said:

I'll never forget when I was reflashing an ECU on my drive and my knee knocked off the ignition switch mid-flash.
Got to love ETAS Inca!
Then the ECU was totally locked and I couldn't move the XJ.
It had to be dragged out and it made a total mess of my gravel drive. Made me realise just how heavy modern cars are, compared to my old 3 series or even the 993!

I was once testing an exotic limousine on the nearby truck loading park when I came round the blind corner and was suddenly facing an oncoming truck.
We both did a hardish stop, he was obviously not happy with this yuppie in a posh car on his grounds.
As I was blocking the "funnel passage" he waved me on.
Problem was I couldnt select gear (as happened regularely).
So I had to get out of the car, switch the ECU flash switch which was in the boot, get in, reflash, get out and set switch.
Started up, selected gear like a pro and drove off.
Trucker didnt look to happy for some reason.

Edited by Eifel_Yeti on Monday 26th March 14:06

[runnersp]

Waaay back in the mid 90's I saw the Merc SLK concept (anybody remember that?) driving through the Tuscna countryside. More recently I saw the Grande Punto about five months before its release, the driver was none too pleased with me taking pictures on my camera phone...

[J500ANT]

Today while driving into Saarbrucken, Germany - a BMW X6 in black or dark grey. Sadly didn't have my camera to hand. I was surprised as Saarbrucken is a bit of a distance from Munich AND he'd come from the town centre sort of area!

[V-GOM]

The Tuscan 2 pre-production prototype sitting on my drive 2 years ago. I borrowed it for a few hours.

Edited by V-GOM on Wednesday 22 August 22:34

[pimpin gimp]

I saw a BMW in swindon a while back, maybe 6 months ago? it was a hard top convertible of (i presume) the 1 series. quite angular. i wanted to take photo's but the g/f said not to bother, wish i had now. badges and lights were disguised with body colour plastic tape. only new it was a beemer when i peered into the cabin (i hadn't seen the front lights by then.. ) this is my claim to fame!

[Hammerwerfer]

I've seen hundreds. No big deal around here.

[105.4]

Yes. A few times.

A black Ferrari Enzo up in the hills above Maranello a couple of months before their release.

A few things knocking around Millbrook on the couple of occasions that I’ve been, and then today, this;

[chasebuchanan]

hhhhhiiiiiiiiii