MAHLE Powertrain invests £8m in new UK test facility

Posted on 4 Jan 2018 by Jonny Williamson

A major milestone in the development of the UK’s first testing centre for 'Real Driving Emission' (RDE) has been reached, after MAHLE Powertrain took delivery of a sophisticated altitude and climatic control system from Weiss.

A milestone in the development of the UK’s first testing centre RDE has been reached after MAHLE Powertrain took delivery of a climatic control system – image courtesy of MAHLE.

The equipment will form an integral part of MAHLE’s new RDE centre, which is set to be completed by mid-2018.

And, the high–tech control system forms part of an overall investment of £8m, being made by MAHLE at its Northampton site.

The site will become the company’s global centre for Real Driving Emissions (RDE) testing, and the facility will enable European vehicle manufacturers to develop next-generation gasoline engines without the associated costs of traditional field trips for high altitude and temperature extremes.

The development of the new testing facility comes in response to the new European-wide emissions test that was introduced in September 2017.

The highly modern technology will allow MAHLE engineers to optimise engine calibrations and ensure they are robust over a wide range of environmental conditions as required by the new legalisation.

It will enable vehicle manufacturers to develop new engines without the need to take vehicles overseas for weeks of high altitude and climatic testing.

MAHLE’s new test chamber is also being fitted with comprehensive exhaust emissions testing equipment to satisfy all requirements of the new ‘Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Cycles’ (WLTC) test procedure.

The Weiss altitude and environmental simulation equipment comprises three core functions including a circulatory air conditioning unit which controls air temperature, humidity, and distribution inside the test chamber; a refrigeration system to reduce air temperature inside the test chamber; and a blower system.

Within the latter is an exhaust blower to evacuate air from the test chamber to simulate higher altitudes, and an outer air blower, which can pressurise the test chamber to a maximum of 1050 mbar.

Derek Wise, chief engineer, build & test at MAHLE Powertrain, said: “Our new Weiss altitude and climatic simulation chamber is the result of significant investment from MAHLE, and an exciting feature of our new RDE centre.

“It will allow OEMs to develop and test new engines to a high standard right here in the UK, keeping us on the map as a major global automotive development partner.”