prototype vehicle
nounUK /ˈprəʊtətaɪp ˈviːɪkl/
US /ˈproʊtətaɪp ˈviːɪkl/
A prototype vehicle is a test car built to try out new ideas before the real car is made.
The engineers drove the prototype vehicle around the track to check its speed.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. An early model of a vehicle used to show what a future product might look like.
The auto show displayed a sleek prototype vehicle that may go on sale next year.
3. A first working version of a vehicle built to find and fix problems.
The prototype vehicle broke down twice, which helped the team improve the brakes.
4. A hand-built vehicle made in small numbers for research rather than for sale.
Only three prototype vehicles were ever made, and none were sold to the public.