BMW has been using the Mirama’s test center in southern France for almost four decades to develop and refine its upcoming models. The facility, which was originally built as high-speed oval, has developed into one of the safest and most versatile detection of BMW. The Miramas facility, which formerly belonged by Michelin, includes extensive asphalt sections at high speed. When journalists have access, their telephone cameras are recorded to manage the strict confidentiality of the website.
Every year up to 4,000 prototypes are carried out by strict tests in the 65 kilometers of different test routes, which contain high-speed circuits, off-road sections and handling courses that simulate the real driving conditions.
After visiting Miramas several times over the years, we saw first -hand how the website works. In contrast to other BMW test locations, and the well-known winter test grounds in Arjeplog, Sweden-I-IT Miramas very sure what makes it one of the few places where vehicles can be tested before production with and without camouflage. Nevertheless, many prototypes in full cladding roam the facility, from future M models to the next generation electric cars.
A controlled environment for high-tech tests
One of the main advantages of Miramas is the ability to test the mild climate of the region all year round. In contrast to places that are exposed to violent winters or extreme summer heat, Mirama’s BMW engineers, endurance and aging tests enable without major interruptions.
In the past ten years, the BMW Group has invested around 44 million euros to keep the location up to date with the latest test devices. The facility also increasingly focused on electrification, with engineers carrying extensive evaluations of battery power, charging technology and energy efficiency. The center is currently being used to test BMW’s first hydrogen-operated fuel cell electro vehicle (FCEV), which is expected to enter production in 2028.
A key point for the future development of BMW
While Miramas is primarily a research and development facility, it also plays an important role in BMW’s wider business strategy. The location supports around 140 direct and indirect jobs and contributes around 14 million euros to the local economy every year. BMW defeats materials and services from over 300 suppliers in the region, and agreements with organizations such as Air Liquid have led to the installation of the hydrogen tank infrastructure on site.
While it may not be as well known as the BMW’s winter program in Sweden or its Nürburgring test programs, Miramas remains a decisive part of the company’s vehicle development process. Regardless of whether the boundaries of the combustion engines are tested, the latest battery -electric drive lines are refined or the emerging hydrogen fuel cell technology is evaluated, the system plays a role behind the scenes in the design of the next vehicle regeneration of BMW.
We will probably return to Miramas in the near future to test another exciting BMW. Stay tuned!
