On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of its test center in Aubevoye, Renault is virtually opening the doors to this confidential site, where all the group’s models are thoroughly tested before their launch. From road circuits to paths via wind tunnels, discover behind the scenes.
In the heart of a forest in the Eure, sheltered from prying eyes, Renault set up the Aubevoye technical center (CTA) forty years ago. An ultra-confidential place that has seen all the group’s prototypes (Renault, Alpine and Dacia) pass since its opening in 1982. To celebrate its anniversary, the Losange is opening its doors virtually.
60 km of track
Acoustics, suspensions, robustness, steering… In order to test vehicles in all possible and imaginable conditions, the CTA, which covers 613 ha, has no less than 42 test benches, 2 wind tunnels, 18 corrosion chambers and 35 asphalt and dirt tracks. Placed end to end, the latter measure more than 60 km. The circuits are distinguished by their surfacing, their sinuosity or their gradient.
Road tracks…
Each proving ground has its function. For example, the purpose of the dry behavior track, as its name suggests, is to test the dynamic qualities of the vehicle. It is along its 3.9 km of asphalt that the wedging of the front and rear axles, the connection to the ground, the endurance of the brakes, the reliability and the motricity, as well as the reaction to the drift are tested. A similar track but with a soggy surface completes the myriad of tests. The Aubevoye technical center has its own speed ring, where ” drivers can push the engine up to 250 km/h, with banked corners allowing to reach 180 km/h without turning the wheel “, we are told.
In addition to the maximum speed, this is where all the aerodynamic work is carried out, thanks to 16 fans placed at the edge of the track and which can blow up to 72 km/h. With the behavior track, it is one of the first tracks to have been created in 1982. In Aubevoye, the builder took care to build what looks like a town centre. You will be able to find ” red lights, stops, speed bumps and many intersections “. In total, 6 million kilometers are covered each year by the prototypes during dynamic tests.
… to the paths
With 272 ha of forest and 40 m drop, the test center makes it possible to solicit prototypes off the beaten track, in particular 4 x 4s such as the Dacia Duster. There are also so-called “extreme” tracks, supposed to reproduce the eponymous conditions. This is the case of the dust tunnel which replicates the conditions found in Argentina or the 30 cm deep water ford, allowing the simulation of heavy rainfall.
Static tests
At its Aubevoye center, Renault has many rooms to sift through its future production models. Acoustic qualities or even control of electromagnetic waves, “ hundreds of parameters are measured to analyze and optimize vehicle performance explains Jean-Marc, method testing expert at CTA. Humidity levels are evaluated in corrosion chambers, while the two climatic wind tunnels simulate winds up to 230 km/h and at temperatures ranging from – 30°C to + 55°C. This is called aging testing. Finally, Renault stresses that a new bench measuring consumption and pollution, as well as even more extreme temperatures, is under construction. Equipment that has continued to evolve since its debut in 1983.
TO READ. Renault. In the secret of its acoustic chambers
