Horiba MIRA’s new £4m propulsion test centre

Horiba MIRA has opened a new Propulsion Test and Development Centre at its UK headquarters in Nuneaton. The centre has been specifically developed in response to the need for OEMs to meet ever-stringent emissions standards since the introduction of the Real Driving Emissions (RDE) test in 2017.

The new testing lab represents a significant investment for HORIBA MIRA, which has spent more than £4 million on the latest technology. This includes the addition of the unique Horiba MEDAS system which can accurately replicate real-word altitude conditions for vehicle emissions testing, into both the Propulsion Test and Development Centre and the Advanced Emissions Test Centre.

Where traditionally customers have relied on on-road testing to develop RDE compliant propulsion systems, the Propulsion Test and Development Centre capabilities will essentially enable RDE testing with “Engine in the Loop” (EiL) to be carried out in a simulated environment across all the RDE boundary conditions without the need for a vehicle. Designed to complement Horiba MIRA’s Advanced Emissions Test Centre RDE capability, it will allow OEMs to engineer a vehicle for emissions compliance much earlier in the development cycle, resulting in significant time and cost-savings.

Declan Allen, managing director at Horiba MIRA, said: “Recognising the rising challenges facing our customers when it comes to engine development and meeting stringent emissions standards, we’ve invested heavily in creating our new state-of-the-art Propulsion Test and Development Centre.”