The Hyundai testing facility at Nürburgring
Hyundai has officially opened its 6.6 million Euro test centre in Germany at the famous Nurburgring.
Boosting the Hyundai Motor's brand's R&D operations in Europe, the new centre for testing provides Hyundai with a full-time presence at the iconic Nurburgring circuit, allowing it to further evaluate and develop the durability and driving dynamics of its vehicles 'more effectively and more often'.
Construction of the Centre began in June 2012 and was completed in less than 15 months. The glass and steel building houses workshops, office spaces and hospitality areas over four floors and is an extension of Hyundai's European R&D centre in Russelsheim, Germany, where the brand's European design and engineering teams have been based since 2003.
The Nurburgring is widely recognized as one of the most challenging tracks in the world, with 73 corners - 33 left and 40 right - spread across 12.8 miles of tarmac. With a difference in height of almost 300 meters between the lowest and the highest points, it features uphill and downhill gradients of 11 and 17 per cent respectively.
Each car taking part in Hyundai's 'accelerated durability tests' laps the Nurburgring 480 times in both dry and wet conditions, simulating over 100,000 miles of rigorous driving in less than six weeks. Throughout each lap, data parameters are continually monitored, assessing steering input and vehicle course, suspension movement and ride and handling characteristics. The results are given directly to the vehicle development team based at the circuit, enabling Hyundai's engineers to quickly make changes and tailor cars' characteristics to the demands of European drivers.
Hyundai will be able to refine their product to suit European tastes at the new Nürburgring facility
Allan Rushforth, Senior Vice President and COO of Hyundai Motor Europe commented: "The Nurburgring is a unique challenge for any vehicle, so it is the perfect location for our new facility. The emotional appeal of being 'tested at Nurburgring' will also help to further build the brand's reputation across Europe."
