Developing a new car is not only done behind a computer, but also on the road. But to prevent development models to be too observed, road tests often take place on private land In immense complexes totally closed to the public. And these are present on all continents. What if we took a look at the other side of the barriers, to these prohibited places?
Miramas, France (BMW)
We can say that BMW test pilots work in a frame to say the least: at the heart of the Provence. In Miramas, near the Berre pond, the German manufacturer has a huge test complex, built a century ago. Long property of Michelin who used this structure for its own tests, the installation has 65 km of roads. BMW acquired it in the 80s. There are all kinds of configurations: an oval of speed, winding circuits, non -coated paths, pavers, concrete slabs and other surfaces. 140 engineers, test pilots, mechanics and technicians work there permanently, alongside other brands which sometimes also praise the structure. Like the Goodyear tire manufacturer.
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Arizona, Nevada and California, USA (several manufacturers)
In these three American states, various manufacturers – VW, Hyundai, Chrysler (Stellantis) – have several test bases. What they are looking for in priority: the Desert heat In order to push vehicles into their last entrenchments. We can see SUVs with heavy trailers on slopes of up to 25% to validate the cooling system.
The desert also allows you to leave cars in full sun For months. And if after a year, the plastics of the dashboard have not moved, if all the buttons and the joints still work, then the model will be approved for production.
In the Death valleyone of the hottest places in the world, the teams continuously test cars in these extreme conditions. It is thanks to this work that our cars start without problem in the heat wave, that the doors do not get stuck or that air conditioning does not know damage.
Ehra-Lessien, Germany (Volkswagen)
On the satellite images of this region not very populated in the east of Wolfsburg, we can see A thin straight line. By zooming a little, we can discover a huge complex, with Two long straight lines of each 9 km and lined with tilted turns. Volkswagen develops its models here, but other manufacturers also use the ultra -fast track portion which is almost unique. Bug In particular, there have been the Veyron and Chiron.
In 2019, the pilot Andy Wallace there has reached 490 km/h with a Chiron Super Sport 300+. However, this record was not approved, for lack of average measured in both directions of the wind.
Zaventem, Belgium (Toyota)
For those who land in Zaventem, it is interesting to look on the side of the IKEA where you can see a test track. It is part of the European Center for Development of Toyotain Flemish Brabant. This complex is not comparable by its size to the other aforementioned, but it however serves to test many vehicle limits. The center includes an oval of 1.4 kma asphalt circle 90 meters in diameter and some roads characterized by Different surfaces.
Nardò, Italy (Porsec)
The circuit of Nardò is so large that we can see it without zooming on the satellite images of the Puglia region. This is a Perfect circle of 12.5 kman infinite loop where you can ride at full speed for hours, as long as there are fuel (or electricity).
The outer track is so tilted that 240 km/hwe don’t even need to turn the wheel: the force centrifuge Maintains the car on its trajectory. Put into service 50 years ago by Fiatthe circuit now belongs to Porschewhich rents it to other brands for various tests or attempted record.
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