- Engineering vice president, Mike Ableson opens new high-speed circuit
- Investments secure Opel Test Center’s worldwide leadership
Opel today opened the completely renewed high-speed circuit at its Dudenhofen Test Center. The modernization of the test track is part of an investment totaling 28.5 million euros. At ten million euros the renewal of the high-speed circuit, the centerpiece of the Opel Test Center, and the installation of world class test and sensor technologies, represent the single largest investment.
“The opening of the high-speed circuit is a milestone
for our Test Center”, said Mike Ableson, Opel vice president of Engineering,
during the opening ceremony. “This is a clear sign of our commitment to the
long term future of our development facilities in Germany. The extensions are a
significant contribution to further increasing the quality of our products, and
bringing affordable innovations to our customers fast”.
2003 Opel Eco Speedster |
1966 Opel Rekord driven by the soccer coach legend Sepp Herberger and the Opel Panorama bus took part in the first lap on the track under sunny sky. |
In his speech
Secretary of State Saebisch stated: “It is up to the car companies themselves
to secure the industry’s ability to innovate and compete. Opel and GM have
accepted the challenge. With their investments in the extension of the
Dudenhofen Test Center they have made a clear commitment to the future. It is
the duty of politics to create the framework businesses need to overcome their
challenges. This is why education, the reduction of bureaucracy, and the
promotion of innovation are central themes for the Hesse government. Hesse needs a strong and dynamic
industry to secure its prosperity, also in the future.”
The investments will enable the test center to
replicate nearly every driving profile imaginable. Mike Ableson: “We are
cementing Dudenhofen’s reputation as one of the leading proving grounds in the
world, and we are extending its business opportunities for development,
component testing and brand communication. Our numerous long-standing external
clients, including many development partners, will also benefit.”
Vehicle testing at highest safety levels
The management of test programs at the Opel Test Center has always met the highest demands for quality, precision and safety. New sensors in the surface of the high-speed circuit, and the full electrification of the control and measurement technology will take these standards to an even higher level in future.
In
the interest of customers, it is highly important that prototypes of future
models are tested down to the last nut and bolt. That means driving the test
cars at their limit under strictly controlled conditions. Thanks to the
increase in the angle of the banking from 37.5 degrees to 40 degrees cars can
now drive safely at 250 kilometers per hour
on the high speed circuit, without lateral forces.
Work on the additional extensions has already begun. During
the remainder of 2012 Opel will build new tracks for testing pass by noise and
calibrating new engines.
Additional highlights include an all-new traffic
control system for the whole proving ground; new tracks for testing
transmissions and driving dynamics at Formula 1 levels; and the near identical
copy of a public street, including a city driving route.
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