noun
experimental car; prototype vehicle
Refers to a vehicle built for testing or development, often before mass production. Common in automotive and engineering contexts.
自動車メーカーは新しい試作車を発表した。
The automaker unveiled a new experimental car.
試作車の走行テストが来週行われる。
A driving test of the prototype vehicle will be conducted next week.
コンセプトカー is a concept car, often a design study not intended for immediate production, whereas 試作車 is a working prototype for testing.
Compound of 試作 (trial manufacture) + 車 (vehicle).