For practically 4 a long time, BMW has been utilizing the Miramas Take a look at Middle in southern France to develop and refine its upcoming fashions. Initially constructed as a high-speed oval a century in the past, the power has developed into one among BMW’s most safe and versatile proving grounds. The Miramas facility, previously owned by Michelin, contains in depth high-speed banked asphalt sections. When journalists are granted entry, their cellphone cameras are taped over to keep up the location’s strict confidentiality.
Annually, as much as 4,000 prototypes are put via rigorous testing throughout its 65 kilometers of assorted check tracks, which embrace high-speed circuits, off-road sections, and dealing with programs that simulate real-world driving circumstances.
Having visited Miramas a number of occasions over time, we’ve seen firsthand how the location operates. In contrast to different BMW check areas—such because the well-known winter testing grounds in Arjeplog, Sweden—Miramas is extremely safe, making it one of many few locations the place pre-production automobiles will be examined with and with out camouflage. Nonetheless, loads of prototypes roam the power in full disguise, from future M fashions to next-generation electrical automobiles.
A Managed Setting for Excessive-Tech Testing
One of many major benefits of Miramas is its capability to supply year-round testing, due to the area’s delicate local weather. In contrast to areas that face harsh winters or excessive summer season warmth, Miramas permits BMW engineers to conduct endurance and getting old assessments with out main seasonal interruptions.
Over the previous decade, BMW Group has invested round €44 million to maintain the location updated with the most recent testing gear. The power has additionally grow to be more and more targeted on electrification, with engineers conducting in depth evaluations of battery efficiency, charging know-how, and vitality effectivity. The middle is at present getting used to check BMW’s first hydrogen-powered gasoline cell electrical automobile (FCEV), which is predicted to enter manufacturing in 2028.
A Key Web site for BMW’s Future Improvement
Whereas Miramas is primarily a analysis and growth facility, it additionally performs an essential function in BMW’s broader enterprise technique. The location helps round 140 direct and oblique jobs and contributes roughly €14 million yearly to the native economic system. BMW sources supplies and providers from over 300 suppliers within the area, and agreements with organizations like Air Liquide have led to the set up of hydrogen refueling infrastructure on-site.
Whereas it is probably not as well-known as BMW’s winter proving floor in Sweden or its Nürburgring testing packages, Miramas stays a vital a part of the corporate’s automobile growth course of. Whether or not testing the boundaries of inner combustion engines, refining the most recent battery-electric powertrains, or evaluating rising hydrogen gasoline cell know-how, the power performs a behind-the-scenes function in shaping BMW’s subsequent technology of automobiles.
We’re possible heading again to Miramas within the close to future to check one more thrilling BMW. Keep tuned!
