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 advanced into one in every of BMW’s most safe and versatile proving grounds. The Miramas facility, previously owned by Michelin, contains intensive high-speed banked asphalt sections. When journalists are granted entry, their cellphone cameras are taped over to take care of the location’s strict confidentiality.
Every year, as much as 4,000 prototypes are put by means of rigorous testing throughout its 65 kilometers of various take a look at tracks, which embody high-speed circuits, off-road sections, and dealing with programs that simulate real-world driving circumstances.
Having visited Miramas a number of instances over time, we’ve seen firsthand how the location operates. In contrast to different BMW take a look at areas—such because the well-known winter testing grounds in Arjeplog, Sweden—Miramas is very safe, making it one of many few locations the place pre-production autos could 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 Atmosphere for Excessive-Tech Testing
One of many foremost benefits of Miramas is its means to offer year-round testing, because of the area’s gentle local weather. In contrast to areas that face harsh winters or excessive summer time warmth, Miramas permits BMW engineers to conduct endurance and getting older assessments with out main seasonal interruptions.
Over the previous decade, BMW Group has invested round €44 million to maintain the location updated with the newest testing gear. The power has additionally grow to be more and more targeted on electrification, with engineers conducting intensive evaluations of battery efficiency, charging know-how, and power effectivity. The middle is at the moment getting used to check BMW’s first hydrogen-powered gas cell electrical automobile (FCEV), which is anticipated to enter manufacturing in 2028.
A Key Web site for BMW’s Future Growth
Whereas Miramas is primarily a analysis and growth facility, it additionally performs an essential position in BMW’s broader enterprise technique. The positioning 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 will not be 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 inside combustion engines, refining the newest battery-electric powertrains, or evaluating rising hydrogen gas cell know-how, the power performs a behind-the-scenes position in shaping BMW’s subsequent era of autos.
We’re doubtless heading again to Miramas within the close to future to check yet one more thrilling BMW. Keep tuned!
