South Korea-based automaker Hyundai Motor has opened its new vehicle testing facility, European Test Centre, at Nürburgring in Germany.
The company has invested AUD9m ($8.4m) for the construction of the newpurpose-built vehicle testing facility.
The new center will strengthen the brand's R&D operations in Europe.
It is an extension of the company's European R&D centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany.
The test center features new glass and steel building houses workshops, office spaces and hospitality areas over four floors.
The compay noted that new test center provides it with a full-time presence at the iconic Nürburgring circuit, allowing it to further evaluate and develop the durability and driving dynamics of its vehicles more effectively, and more regularly.
The company will test its vehicles in the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit 480 times in both dry and wet conditions, simulating over 160,000 kilometres of rigorous driving in less than six weeks.
During each lap, data parameters are continually monitored, assessing steering input and vehicle course, suspension movement and ride and handling characteristics. These results are given to the vehicle development team based at the circuit, allowing Hyundai's engineers to rapidly make changes and tailor dynamic characteristics.
Hyundai Motor Europe senior vice president and COO Allan Rushforth said that the new European Test Centre is a natural extension of the company's Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, and enables Hyundai to more quickly and more accurately test the reliability and drivability of our vehicles.
"The emotional appeal of being 'tested at Nürburgring' will also help to further build the brand's reputation across Europe," Rushforth added.
The Nürburgring, which is widely recognised as one of the most challenging tracks in the world, consists of 170 corners spread across 20.8 kilometres of tarmac. With a difference in height of almost 300 metres between the lowest and the highest points, it features uphill and downhill gradients of 11% and 17% respectively.
