Industry News
Final handling tests for Alpine A390 sport fastback
Alpine’s engineering teams are continuing to test the A390, the company’s first sport fastback, and finalizing development on a wet track at Michelin’s Ladoux complex. The tests have demonstrated the A390’s chassis balance on slippery roads using Alpine Active Torque Vectoring.
The Alpine sport fastback’s dynamic performance will be tested on the 4,100m wet test track at Ladoux Technology Centre in Auvergne, France.
The A390 features three electric motors, which enable Alpine Active Torque Vectoring, and five driving modes, including the new Track Mode that adjusts the settings of the ESC (electronic stability control).
Mustang installs R&D heavy-duty test stand at Texas A&M
Mustang Advanced Engineering (MAE), an American manufacturer of quality testing equipment, dynamometers and related products, has installed a custom dynamometer for research and development of heavy-duty trucks, including those powered by electricity, at the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) Headquarters in Bryan, Texas.
TEES supports Texas A&M University by conducting engineering and technology-oriented research and educational collaborations. The new test cell will be used in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation.
Thales to help Michelin protect and expand its software business
Thales, a global technology and security company, has announced a partnership with Michelin. The tire maker will use the Thales Sentinel software monetization platform to protect its intellectual property and deploy its software to customers around the world.
Michelin, known for providing tires for vehicles ranging from bicycles to space shuttles, is diversifying into software-led revenue. Its TameTire software allows car manufacturers and motorsports teams to simulate real-world tire performance with a high level of accuracy.
Marple develops next-gen data analysis platform
Marple has developed the Marple Insight tool, which provides time-series engineering data to users over the cloud for visualizing, calculating and extracting insights.
It builds on its precursor Marple Cloud, with the ability to read databases – rather than ‘drag and drop’ files – and thus caters to larger teams or infrastructures than its precursor.
MarpleDB, another development, is a high-performance database designed to store and query time-series data, and complements Marple Insights by vertically integrating into the cloud tool, with the ability to be the database should a transition from a file model to a database model occur.
GMR-001 hypercar development passes major milestone after successful engine fire-up
The Genesis GMR-001 hypercar’s V-8 twin-turbo engine has completed a successful first fire-up at Hyundai Motorsport’s headquarters in Frankfurt and is preparing for future tests. Described by Genesis Magma Racing team principal Cyril Abiteboul as the first “heartbeat” of the project, the test marked a key milestone in the development of the engine and for the GMR-001 hypercar. The GMR-001 is due to take Genesis Magma Racing into the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2026.
McLaren W1 prototype undergoes Arctic cold weather testing
McLaren has concluded the cold weather testing program for the prototype McLaren W1, completing a validation cycle in the Arctic Circle focused on verifying critical vehicle systems under sub-zero conditions.
The program targeted the calibration and optimization of the W1’s chassis, traction control, torque vectoring and the electronic stability program on ultra-low grip surfaces. These systems were optimized to ensure performance in extreme conditions.
With these tests, McLaren has ensured that the 1,275ps and 1,340Nm power and torque produced by the new V8 hybrid powertrain at the heart of W1 can “truly deliver performance everywhere”, the auto maker said, adding that the stress testing of the HV battery, gearbox and new MHP-V8 engine in extreme cold pushed “durability and performance to the extremes”.
Hyundai opens battery and electrification research center at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
Hyundai Motor Group has announced the opening of the Hyundai Center of Excellence (Hyundai CoE) for future mobility technology at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi.
The joint research aims to advance future mobility technologies focused on electrification and battery systems, reflecting the group’s commitment to driving innovation tailored to the needs of Indian customers.
Hyundai has selected nine joint research projects in collaboration with IIT as part of its long-term academic-industrial cooperation framework.
Emergency panel discussion on tariffs and the future of the European car market at Automotive Testing Expo Europe 2025
With Donald Trump’s tariffs turning the world on its head, where does this leave an already embattled European car industry? Automotive Testing Technology International magazine will be hosting a free-to-attend interactive panel session at Automotive Testing Expo Europe in Stuttgart to provide a roadmap for not just surviving, but thriving amid the headwinds of potential international trade tariffs and challenging net zero timelines.
Headwinds or opportunities?
Navigating the European automotive testing landscape in an era of uncertainty
Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 15:00 – 16:30
Automotive Testing Expo Europe, Stuttgart
Register for your FREE exhibition pass
*Expo pass includes FREE access to the Headwinds or opportunities panel discussion
This timely and critical panel will bring together automotive industry leaders and expert commentators to address the multiple challenges reshaping the European automotive testing landscape: The impact of recent US tariff policies, which have been estimated to affect up to €67bn (US$75.85bn) of EU automotive industry exports, the majority of which come from Germany; ongoing uncertainty surrounding the net zero agenda; and tough Chinese EV competition.