AVL Opens New Vehicle Engineering Center With Direct Access to Proving Ground

Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, November 17, 2022: Vehicle testing is one of the major pillars of the development process and a huge milestone before a new vehicle type will be released. Thanks to the unique collaboration with the Hungarian government, AVL started to invest in a new vehicle engineering centre in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, next to the newest and most innovative proving ground, AVL ZalaZONE.

With AVL’s engineering expertise and on-site technical services, industry partners can fully outsource their testing activities for all vehicle systems and functions. The new center with the most modern and high-quality engineering facility for 150 experts and 1,340 m2 workshop space is perfectly set to meet future mobility.

AVL Hungary will use the center to execute powertrain and full vehicle testing (both on public roads and the test track), development and testing of ADAS and autonomous driving technology, as well as vehicle dynamics systems such as braking and steering.

To ensure even more future safety on the roads, it is crucial to test vehicles in a secure environment which allows all types of real traffic scenarios. The 15-hectare Smart city at AVL ZalaZONE provides a unique purpose-built city environment for testing the functionality of connected and automated vehicles and related technologies. In addition, the ADAS track module is dedicated for certified Euro NCAP and GSR (EU General Safety Regulation) tests.

“With the new vehicle engineering center, AVL has established a unique facility for development and validation of future vehicles in Zalaegerszeg. From today, we are part of the ZalaZONE ecosystem,” stated Helmut List. Dirk Janetzko adds: “With the combination of a high-tech testing environment and outstanding AVL expertise, we can meet the challenges of a safe and sustainable mobility.”

Facts in a nutshell

• 1,340 m2 workshop space for over 50 test vehicles and prototypes, even for highest prototype protection level
• Direct access to the AVL ZalaZONE Proving Ground with the guarantee of high-level information security
• State-of-the art engineering office for 150 employees
• Cold chamber for environmental testing

On site Engineering Solutions

• ADAS/AD testing (incl. NCAP testing) and simulation
• NVH and pass-by noise testing
• Durability testing and data collection
• Vehicle dynamics testing
• Benchmarking
• BEV and HEV testing
• Powertrain, ADAS/AD, chassis calibration and validation
• Public road testing up to SAE Level 5