Nuneaton-based Horiba MIRA has opened a new £4 million Propulsion Test and Development Centre to assist vehicle manufacturers in their efforts to produce cleaner vehicles.
It is a ‘state of the art’ testing facility for engine development, providing emissions, performance and validation testing using simulation hardware designed to replicate environmental conditions such as temperature, pressure and humidity.
The centre has been developed to help OEMs meet ever-stringent emissions standards following the introduction of the Real Driving Emissions (RDE) test in 2017.
Where automotive manufacturers have historically relied on on-road testing to develop RDE-compliant propulsion systems, the capabilities offered by the Propulsion Test and Development Centre will enable RDE testing with ‘Engine in the Loop’ (EiL) to be carried out in a simulated environment — without the need for a vehicle.
This will allow OEMs to engineer a vehicle for emissions compliance much earlier in the development cycle, with significant savings in time and cost.
Horiba MIRA managing director Declan Allen said (
www.horiba-mira.com): “Recognising the rising challenges facing our customers when it comes to engine development and meeting stringent emissions standards, we have invested heavily in creating our new Propulsion Test and Development Centre.
"One of very few facilities of its kind in the world, it is the ultimate engine development lab — one where businesses can have all of their performance, testing and validation needs taken care of under one roof.
"We look forward to welcoming new and existing customers to take advantage of this facility.”