BMW have constructed a specialty environmental test center in order to ensure all of their vehicles can operate properly under numerous different conditions. Previously, many of these tests had to be conducted in different areas that had varying temperatures and weather conditions but now they can all be conducted within the test center. The tests are to ensure that rain does not inhibit full breaking power, snow must not adversely effect the engine and extreme heat should not overtax the cooling system.

BMW Test Center offers all-in-on testing

The BMW test center can simulate all the necessary environmental conditions that the cars need to be tested against. These include precipitation, heat, cold, humidity, atmospheric pressure and wind. The test center is made up of thee wind tunnels and two chambers. The wind tunnels include a climatic wind tunnel, a thermal wind tunnel and a environmental wind tunnel. The chambers include an altitude test chamber and a cold test chamber.

Previously there was always a decision to be made whether to test the car with a test drive or test facility. Now, with the new BMW test center, engineers can have the best of both worlds and have their cars drive through the test facility, under all the varying conditions in just 8 hours.