Hyundai extends Nurburgring test centre for EV development
The Hyundai Motor Group has expanded its testing centre at the Nurburgring to help support the next generation of electric cars from its N performance division.
The South Korean car maker began durability testing at the iconic race track in 2011, and opened a dedicated test centre there two years later. The latest upgrade fitted an additional 834 square metres of advanced facilities, including workshops, specialised laboratories, and high-voltage EV infrastructure.
In January 2024, the all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 N lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit just 2.7 seconds slower than a BMW M2 CS. A disguised Ioniq 6 N was also spied testing at the circuit towards the end of last year.
“Our expanded facilities at the Nürburgring will allow us to integrate our N-performance with our EV strategy even more seamlessly, and affirm our commitment to electric high-performance vehicles, which have always been a crucial part of our DNA,” said Tyrone Johnson, managing director of the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center.
Later in 2025, Hyundai’s German expansion will also see it open its new Square Campus at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre in the country’s Rhine-Main region.
The 25,000-square-metre facility will house the Group’s largest four-wheel noise, vibration and harshness dynos, as well as advanced chassis and powertrain dynos. These devices are used to simulate and evaluate vehicle performance under various conditions without the need for on-road testing.
The facility will focus on improving EVs, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), infotainment, and electrification technologies. These capabilities aim to deliver tailored solutions that meet the changing needs of customers in the European market.
“This expansion of our facilities impressively demonstrates the progressive mindset that drives us at Hyundai Motor Group,” continued Johnson. “We are constantly moving ahead, motivated by the challenge of pushing limits to achieve greater success.
“Germany remains at the heart of automotive excellence. Our investment in this powerful ecosystem reflects our confidence in the Rhine-Main region’s engineering expertise and innovative strength. More than that, it proves our commitment to the passionate engineers and partners who make it all happen.”
Alongside Hyundai, the Hyundai Motor Group includes Kia, Genesis, and the Ioniq sub-brand. It also owns 11% of the Rimac hypercar manufacturer.
