Erlkönig sighted in Wildeck-Obersuhl-mysterious car prototypes!

Erlkönig sighted in Wildeck-Obersuhl-mysterious car prototypes!

On Thursday morning, a very special vehicle was spotted in the Hessian Wildeck Obersuhl-a so-called "Erlkönig". These camouflaged prototypes of future car models keep causing excitement. They could be found in the parking lot of a supermarket and may have been amazed by some drivers. As Osthessen-news , Erlkönige are lived with a striking "dazzle pattern" that helps to hide their true identity.

Erlkönige are not only a feast for the eyes, they are also strategically important for car manufacturers. Because of the camouflage, you can test your vehicles on the street without the design being public before the official performance. The protective pattern ensures that details of the vehicle are not recognized during the test. This practice has a long tradition: journalists published in the magazine "Auto, Motor und Sport" photos of such prototypes as early as the 1950s, which shaped the term "Erlkönig". Incidentally, the name comes from a poem of Goethe and refers to a mystical spirit, which gives the whole a touch of secret.

The art of camouflage

The use of the dazzle pattern has an interesting story. Originally developed by Norman Wilkinson to camouflage warships during the First World War, this technology is now used in the automotive industry. Manufacturers often use colorful foils and plastic cladding to confuse the shape of the vehicle and disguise its contours. This means that even experts have difficulty assessing the true size and form of such an extortion model.

Although theoretically everyone should drive a Erlkönig with a driver's license, in practice it is mostly test drivers who are sitting behind the steering wheel. Even in today's world, Erlkönige are often off -road vehicles or SUVs, as these vehicle classes are very popular. The camouflage, on the other hand, remains suitable for traffic according to the road traffic regulations and must be recognizable for other road users. It turns out that car companies are increasingly developing more sophisticated methods to protect their prototypes, especially at a time when smartphones and social media make the opportunity for unauthorized photos easier.

The enthusiasm of the public

An Erlkönig also arouses the interest of car fans and photographers. According to rumors, the fee for snapshots of these mysterious prototypes are between 50 and 250 euros - not infrequently also in the four -digit range if they are coveted models. The curiosity, which vehicles will soon come onto the market, is large and the sighting of an Erlkönig is a moment that inspires many passionate drivers. Detektor.fm emphasizes that the attention that such prototypes attract is part of their fascination.

The latest sighting in Wildeck-Obersuhl again shows that vehicle development is also full of surprises in Germany. It remains to be seen which models are hidden behind the dazzle pattern. One thing is certain: the secrecy around Erlkönige will accompany us for a long time.