For practically 4 a long time, BMW has been utilizing the Miramas Take a look at Heart in southern France to develop and refine its upcoming fashions. Initially constructed as a high-speed oval a century in the past, the ability 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 telephone cameras are taped over to keep up the location’s strict confidentiality.
Every year, as much as 4,000 prototypes are put via rigorous testing throughout its 65 kilometers of various take a look at tracks, which embrace high-speed circuits, off-road sections, and dealing with programs that simulate real-world driving situations.
Having visited Miramas a number of occasions through the years, we’ve seen firsthand how the location operates. Not like different BMW take a look at 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 autos will be examined with and with out camouflage. Nonetheless, loads of prototypes roam the ability in full disguise, from future M fashions to next-generation electrical automobiles.
A Managed Surroundings for Excessive-Tech Testing
One of many principal benefits of Miramas is its capacity to supply year-round testing, due to the area’s delicate local weather. Not like areas that face harsh winters or excessive summer season warmth, Miramas permits BMW engineers to conduct endurance and growing 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 ability has additionally change into more and more targeted on electrification, with engineers conducting intensive evaluations of battery efficiency, charging know-how, and vitality effectivity. The middle is at the moment getting used to check BMW’s first hydrogen-powered gas cell electrical car (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 improvement facility, it additionally performs an vital position in BMW’s broader enterprise technique. The location helps round 140 direct and oblique jobs and contributes roughly €14 million yearly to the native financial 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 might not be as well-known as BMW’s winter proving floor in Sweden or its Nürburgring testing applications, Miramas stays an important a part of the corporate’s car improvement course of. Whether or not testing the bounds of inner combustion engines, refining the most recent battery-electric powertrains, or evaluating rising hydrogen gas cell know-how, the ability performs a behind-the-scenes position in shaping BMW’s subsequent technology of autos.
We’re probably heading again to Miramas within the close to future to check yet one more thrilling BMW. Keep tuned!
