What camouflage serves in cars
of the pre-production tests, since due to the impressive, colourful
shapes catch the eyes of most people at once? The elaborate camouflage
in the cars of the test SKODA
allow only vague speculation about what lies behind the impressive
their cover. This is necessary, since long before the launch
of a new model, the pre-production prototype cars tested in the
roads, they will have already covered up to two million kilometres, in
actual conditions. Most often, the tests are carried out in
roads with normal traffic. The camouflage patterns protect the
overall design and features of each new model from the odd
and industrial espionage, using optical illusions
that disorient the viewer.
The road test marathon,
until the start of production, is carried out on all continents. The
production model should be guaranteed to yield optimal results both in terms of
extremely cold environment with temperatures below minus 30 degrees
Celsius and well above 40 degrees Celsius. In the demanding and
comprehensive test programme, the prototypes - also known as "mules" - are then
from testing on racetracks and climate chambers, they're out on public roads,
in environments with very high humidity, off-road routes with dust and
soil, as well as in arctic conditions, in snow and on frozen surfaces.
To keep the design secret
identity of the test cars from the prying eyes of journalists,
photographers and competitors, the cars are very carefully covered. He
is the only way to ensure that technological innovations, the latest
new design features and clever details will remain hidden
until the time of the official presentation. Prying eyes will be looking for
vain even the inscription or the SKODA logo on any of the
brand testing prototypes. The "paparazzi" equipped with
cameras or smartphones,
are particularly interested in various features and elements of the
bodywork, such as headlamps, grille or rear part, which are covered or
are elaborately manipulated so as not to be revealed. Also, the plans of the
camouflage is used to hide the contour of the bodywork,
as even the side windows are partially covered, to hide the
design of the profile.
Similar requirements apply to
the interior. A cabin that is close to the final production version
must be protected from the lenses of photographers, since even a
test prototype will be parked occasionally, e.g. for refuelling at a
service station. Materials used in a test car
including blackout fabrics made up into independent blackout cloths
covers for the dashboard, the central screen, the multimedia system, the central
console, switches or vents, and are easy to remove. Η
SKODA uses these meticulous, comprehensive camouflage techniques to
until the time comes for the official presentation of a new model, keeping the
interest of potential clients and media representatives,
ideally until the last minute!
At SKODA, the camouflage experts
are responsible for the design and development of the covers. There are
few limits in front of their imagination and creativity, experimenting
with patterns, three-dimensional effects and colour contrasts to fool the
looks. Sometimes they even hide messages in the design
camouflage, such as a hashtag for the @skodaautonews Twitter account. Η
application of a complete camouflage on a test car by hand,
lasts several hours.
As regards special events, the experts
for SKODA camouflage work with those in marketing to
create some particularly impressive solutions. For example, in
during the big parade on the Champs Elysees that took place as part of the "Tour
de France 2016", the KODIAQ, the brand's large SUV, was shown before the
official premiere with a red, grey and black camouflage that captured the attention of the
Interest. In 2019, shortly before its world premiere, the SKODA OCTAVIA
fourth generation could easily be spotted on the streets of Prague and
of Mladá Boleslav thanks to a special two-tone camouflage in yellow and
orange, as part of the "Catch me if you can" game for
the friends of SKODA. The fans who "immortalized" the camouflaged cars
on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, they could win a free Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
exclusive invitation to the world premiere of the model. For the
SCALA test prototypes, a pattern of white and blue was used
LINES.
Them
in recent months, would-be automotive paparazzi waiting near the
company headquarters in Mladá Boleslav, they can register the
impressive camouflage with green, white and grey 3D optical shapes
hiding the design of the SKODA ENYAQ iV. The camouflage experts have dedicated
a total of 120 hours on the idea of hiding the first all-electric SUV
SKODA and for this they used about 18 square meters of sticker
hardware. The SKODA ENYAQ iV will be revealed later this year. However, the
camouflage experts won't have much time to relax, since
a total of ten new electric models will be launched by the end of 2022
of the SKODA iV range.
