Mahle Powertrain (www.mahle-powertrain.com), a global leader in engine development solutions, has been awarded £2.1 million towards the construction of a ‘state of the art’ climatic vehicle emissions test centre at its UK base in Northampton.

The funding, provided by the South-East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) through the Local Growth Fund, will safeguard existing jobs while creating new opportunities for highly skilled engineers.

Development of the technology centre on St James Mill Road is already under way, and it should be completed in mid-2018. It is part of the region’s plan to create a knowledge hub capable of competing on the world stage, and it will support the company’s’ drive to develop the next generation of lighter, cleaner and more-efficient powertrains.

Dave Beecroft, director of sales and marketing at Mahle Powertrain, said: “We have worked hard with SEMLEP to secure this investment as part of an on-going plan to expand and enhance our vehicle emissions testing capability in Northampton.

“This funding will allow us to grow the business and create employment opportunities by placing us at the forefront of the requirements of the new Real Driving Emissions legislation, which comes into force later this year.”

The new centre will see Mahle Powertrain, which works with vehicle manufacturers across the world, offer an even broader range of test services.

From on-the-road PEMS (portable emissions measurement system) through to dyno-based road simulations and comprehensive emissions testing, manufacturers will be able to complete full testing regimes in the UK, meeting stringent new air quality and environmental targets.

The centre will also allow Mahle Powertrain to fully simulate the new test cycle, with the added ability to control the atmospheric pressure inside the chamber (a first for the UK), simulating altitudes of up to 5,000m.