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 power has developed into certainly one 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 take care of the positioning’s strict confidentiality.
Annually, as much as 4,000 prototypes are put by means of rigorous testing throughout its 65 kilometers of various check tracks, which embody high-speed circuits, off-road sections, and dealing with programs that simulate real-world driving situations.
Having visited Miramas a number of occasions over time, we’ve seen firsthand how the positioning operates. Not like 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 autos may 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 vehicles.
A Managed Surroundings for Excessive-Tech Testing
One of many primary benefits of Miramas is its means to supply year-round testing, because of 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 ageing checks with out main seasonal interruptions.
Over the previous decade, BMW Group has invested round €44 million to maintain the positioning updated with the newest testing gear. The power has additionally change into more and more targeted on electrification, with engineers conducting intensive evaluations of battery efficiency, charging expertise, and vitality effectivity. The middle is at present getting used to check BMW’s first hydrogen-powered gasoline cell electrical car (FCEV), which is anticipated 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 vital function 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 companies 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 applications, Miramas stays a vital a part of the corporate’s car growth course of. Whether or not testing the boundaries of inside combustion engines, refining the newest battery-electric powertrains, or evaluating rising hydrogen gasoline cell expertise, the power performs a behind-the-scenes function in shaping BMW’s subsequent technology of autos.
We’re seemingly heading again to Miramas within the close to future to check one more thrilling BMW. Keep tuned!
