I've always be sorta jealous of you guys that live around Detroit or in SoCal that see these test mules. Here in Eastern TN, you don't see stuff like that.

Anyhow, coming to work this morning, I saw 2 test mules going east on I40. I go north on I81, and they followed. I passed them, then slowed down so they could pass. After a few miles, I notice there were 2 more coming behind the first 2!

The cars were some kind of sedan. They looked about the size of an Altima. In fact, the cars looked alot like an Altima. The lead car had some kind of device attached to the front wheels with an antenae type thing on them. On the inside of the car it looked like there were several computers. Possibly doing MPG rating or something like that.

All the cars were heavily camo'ed. They had black roofs and black wheels. The sides of the car where white with the little black squiggly things. The front and back of the cars had those big bras covering them. All four cars had Michigan manufacture tags. I assumed this means they are a domestic brand. Someone tell me if I'm right here.

Two of the cars had rear wheel disk, and two I really couldn't tell because of the different wheels they had. Two of the cars had one muffler with two exhaust tips coming off the muffler. The other two had one muffler with with one trumpet looking tip coming off the muffler. I've never seen an exhaust tip like that.

I've been thinking of getting a cell phone with a camera, and this has made up my mind!!

 

Seeing mules is a rush. When you first spot a mule and say "what the heck is that" and finally realize that it is in fact a test mule is pretty damn cool.

I'm not too sure what you saw based on your description though. The Michigan plates could be anything. Hyundai and other foreign manufacturers have now set up R&D locations here in the Motor City. I know, odd isn't it?

 

Doesn't Ford use the black squiggly-thing camo?

 

Sounds like you spied some Fusion's in testing, good work! now get a camera!!!

 

Exactly, looks like you spotted the new Ford Fusion. Too bad you didn't have a camera.

 

I've been debating on getting a new cell phone. Mine is getting old. This has sealed the deal, I'm getting one and it's gotta have a camera!!


I knew you guys would know what it was! Thanks!

 

It could have also been the new Impala. I would guess that since from the spy photos we have seen have had very altima looking tail lights.

 

Were there tiny green men driving these "vehicles"? just kidding.. kudos to you.. and you need more than a camera phone.. get a cheap used digital camera.. phone camera quality isn't the best

Good work though.

 

I don't think they were big enough to be Impalas.

 

Plus, the spy photos of the '06 Impala that were posted here used the black & white squiggly type of camo. But the pics. I remember seeing had dual exhaust with 4 tips, but its safe to say not every Impala would get that exhaust system.

 

I wonder if Ford, or whoever the manufacturer was had a van load of thugs to run you off the road if you would have took pics.

 

One of the cars had 4 people in there!

 

Could have also been the Lincoln Zephyr or whatever Mercury is coming off that body.

Also, Saturn is coming up with a similar sized sedan based on Epsilon within the next year. Malibu is also getting a new nose and tail touch up next year. Hyundai is also getting a similar sized sedan within the next year or so (and they do test here in the US). Don't forget Chrysler is also replacing their Stratus & Sebring sedans next year as well.

Point is, without photos, we really can't tell what it is because there is a ton of simular sized sedans coming out from everyone within the next year or so.

 

Speaking of that Stratus..I caught that today and will be posting those pictures I got tonight

Or wait....is it really "just" a stratus

 

Yeah, but he saw the Ford "squigly" pattern (white background, black squiglies). Most likely the Fusion, but yeah, could have been the Lincoln or Mercury.