Developed in response to increased scrutiny around tailpipe emissions, as well as new legislation requiring extensive and increasingly complex testing methodologies, the AETC represents a total of almost £8m investment into HORIBA MIRA’s engineering facilities.
The AETC facilities will provide testing capabilities for global compliance, including Euro 6d Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP), as well as incorporating Real World Driving Emissions (RDE) testing capabilities.
The 12,000 sq. ft facility has been officially opened on 5th July, by HORIBA Chairman, President and CEO, Atsushi Horiba.
Located at HORIBA MIRA’s headquarters in Nuneaton, UK, the facility is centred around a four-wheel drive (4WD) climatic chassis dynamometer and includes three individual climatic soak rooms and an ambient soak room. The combination of the 4WD dynamometer, range of climatic conditions and state-of-the-art HORIBA emissions systems will allow the determination of exhaust pollutants over a range of climatic conditions, from temperatures of -20°C to 35°C. Engineers at the facility will work closely with vehicle manufacturers, offering the full gamut of emissions testing which comply with current and foreseen future emissions regulations - including additional Type Approval for RDE.
The new facility has created a number of new high value engineering jobs at HORIBA MIRA and this will continue to expand into 2018, as capacity is increased.
Opening Ceremony
Held on July 5t the opening ceremony for the new facility included Mr. Paul Damian Madden CMG, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Japan.
George Gillespie OBE, CEO at HORIBA MIRA, commented: “We are incredibly proud to officially open our new Advanced Emissions Test Centre together with the HORIBA Group. Vehicle manufacturers will now have access to world-class facilities and engineers to ensure their vehicles meet new emissions regulations, housed in one location in our central England headquarters.
“The launch of the AETC represents our commitment to working alongside our customers to develop world leading products through our extensive expertise and cutting edge facilities, and reiterates our position as a global leader in advanced engineering.”
The £8m strategic investment has been made by the HORIBA Group and brings the total committed investment to date to almost £25m since MIRA joined HORIBA in July 2015. The centre is the first to bring together six group companies of HORIBA, including HORIBA Japan and HORIBA MIRA who are collectively leading on project management, building and integration, as well as HORIBA Test Automation in UK, HORIBA UK, HORIBA France, and HORIBA Europe.
HORIBA Group's Chairman, President and CEO Atsushi Horiba commented: "The inauguration of AETC is one of the first visible achievements of this investment. Before the launch of the facility, we have already received a large number of orders from customers. I am very pleased to be able to open the centre in a time when regulations are being introduced across the world.
In addition to the enhancement of our business through AETC targeting RDE regulations, we would like to introduce MIRA’s technology in autonomous driving. HORIBA has started to enter into a new domain - automotive R&D. By delivering our potential to a wider audience, we would like to further grow our business."
The AETC is the first newly-built testing facility to open at HORIBA MIRA since 2014. Its inauguration follows recent investment into MIRA Technology Park, which is now in Phase Two of its development. Set to be completed by 2025, MIRA Technology Park is rapidly gaining global recognition as a leading automotive technology cluster and is capturing broader interest as a strategic transport sector R&D location within Europe.
About HORIBA MIRA
HORIBA MIRA, HORIBA group company is a global provider of pioneering engineering, research and test services to the automotive, defence, aerospace and rail sectors. The company works in close collaboration with vehicle manufacturers and suppliers around the world, providing comprehensive support ranging from individual product tests to turnkey multi-vehicle design, development and build programmes.
With over 70 years’ experience in developing some of the world’s most iconic vehicles, HORIBA MIRA’s engineers utilise the latest test facilities and simulation tools to make vehicles and journeys safer, cleaner, more efficient and rewarding. Boasting a suite of over 37 major test facilities, 100km of specialised proving ground and a wealth of engineering experience, combined with expanding international presence, gives the company confidence that is has the means to achieve its vision – that by 2020 every journey in the world will be positively influenced by HORIBA MIRA.