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 considered one of 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 take care of the location’s strict confidentiality.
Annually, as much as 4,000 prototypes are put by way of 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 circumstances.
Having visited Miramas a number of occasions 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 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 vehicles.
A Managed Setting for Excessive-Tech Testing
One of many fundamental benefits of Miramas is its capacity to supply year-round testing, because of the area’s gentle local weather. In contrast to 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 newest testing gear. The ability has additionally turn into more and more targeted on electrification, with engineers conducting in depth evaluations of battery efficiency, charging know-how, and power effectivity. The middle is presently getting used to check BMW’s first hydrogen-powered gas cell electrical car (FCEV), which is predicted to enter manufacturing in 2028.
A Key Website for BMW’s Future Improvement
Whereas Miramas is primarily a analysis and improvement facility, it additionally performs an necessary 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 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 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 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 automobiles.
We’re possible heading again to Miramas within the close to future to check one more thrilling BMW. Keep tuned!
