Hyundai building new vehicle test centre at Nürburgring

January 16, 2013: Hyundai has revealed plans for a new vehicle test centre, situated at the Nürburgring track in Germany –with construction well underway. The new facility, which represents a £4.5 million (Rs 40 crore) investment, is reflective of the brand’s commitment to developing its credentials as a top European carmaker. < br> < /br> Tests carried out at the new facility will be used by engineers at the company’s existing R&D centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, to improve the quality and driving performance of Hyundai’s European-designed vehicles. In 2012, almost 95 percent of the 444,000 Hyundai cars sold in Europe were designed, engineered and tested in Rüsselsheim, including the best-sellers i30, ix35 and i40. < br> < /br> Allan Rushforth, senior vice-president and COO of Hyundai Motor Europe, said: “The new Hyundai test centre at Nürburgring is an expression of our intention to focus on improving the customer experience of our vehicles, such as ride and handling – an important consideration for European drivers. The new centre represents a significant investment, and one we expect will significantly contribute to enhancing the perception of the Hyundai brand and our key competitive competence in Europe.” < br> < /br> The 3,050 square metre building’s location was chosen for its direct access to the famous race track, dubbed ‘The Green Hell’ due to its challenging nature. Just as with Hyundai’s re-entry into the WRC series, track-testing at Nürburgring will enable Hyundai to develop the driving dynamics, reliability and durability of its vehicles.