UTAC Unveils Three New SNOW Test Tracks at Ivalo Winter Facility in Finland
THESE NEW LAND-BASED TEST TRACKS ENHANCE IVALO’S CAPACITY FOR EARLY AND LATE SEASON WINTER TESTING
- UTAC has launched three new land-based tracks at its Mellatracks winter test facility in Ivalo, Finland, offering cutting-edge capabilities for snow and ice testing
- The facilities enables year-round testing with 100km of outdoor tracks and 1.2km of indoor tracks, helping manufacturers reduce development lead times
- UTAC Ivalo – the northernmost winter test facility in the world – combines Arctic conditions with controlled environments, supporting innovation in vehicle safety, performance and handling
- The two sites, Mellatracks proving ground and Ivalo Airport proving ground, are located 300km inside the Arctic Circle, with the most stable winter conditions in Europe
- Media assets can be downloaded here: https://bit.ly/UTAC_Ivalo
Ivalo, Finland – 12 December 2024: UTAC, a global leader in automotive testing, has expanded its renowned winter testing facility in Finnish Lapland with the launch of three new test tracks. Situated 1100 kilometres north of Helsinki and 300 kilometres inside the Arctic Circle, the Ivalo site is the northernmost winter proving ground in the world, offering manufacturers a unique environment to push vehicle performance to the limit in extreme cold conditions.
With one hundred years of history, UTAC has become a cornerstone of the automotive industry, delivering a wide range of services from vehicle development to certification and safety testing. With facilities across Europe, North America, Asia and Africa, UTAC supports manufacturers in addressing the challenges of a rapidly evolving market. Its expertise spans a multitude of areas including crash testing, emissions compliance, electrification and autonomous technologies. Three new tracks at UTAC Ivalo, Finland The latest additions to the Mellatracks proving ground include a 600 m x 40 m Snow Flat, designed for precise assessments of tyre performance and brake- and traction systems; a 200m diameter Snow and Ice Circle for refining handling, steering, and transmission performance; and a 1 750 m long Snow Handling Track, which enables engineers to conduct detailed, subjective evaluations of tyre performance and vehicle dynamics. “These new tracks demonstrate our commitment to advancing the automotive industry by providing cutting-edge facilities that meet the demands of modern development timelines,” said Janne Seurujärvi, Vice President – Finland at UTAC. “At UTAC Ivalo, we combine challenging Arctic conditions with controlled indoor environments, ensuring manufacturers can innovate and test year-round with unparalleled precision.” Unlike traditional winter testing facilities limited to seasonal operation, UTAC Ivalo is equipped to offer sub-zero testing conditions throughout the year. With 100 kilometres of outdoor tracks and an additional 1.2 kilometres of indoor tracks, the facilities enable vehicle and system evaluations in highly controlled environments, regardless of external weather conditions. The indoor capabilities, in particular, not only allow manufacturers to reduce lead times but also provide critical flexibility in development schedules. The Ivalo proving grounds are also designed with customer convenience in mind. Located just a 10-minute drive from Ivalo Airport, they offer seamless access for manufacturers and engineers bringing vehicles and equipment to the site. The surrounding region, with its pristine Arctic environment and proximity to modern amenities, provides the perfect backdrop for both intensive testing and customer events. As UTAC continues to expand its global footprint, the Ivalo site exemplifies the company’s mission to innovate, test, and certify the next generation of vehicles. From autonomous technology to electric powertrains, and from tyres to complete vehicle systems, UTAC’s facilities in Finland, and worldwide, allows manufacturers to meet the highest standards of safety, performance and sustainability.
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About UTAC Since 1924, UTAC has been at the forefront of the mobility industry, advancing it towards a safer and cleaner future. We provide a large range of services to bring your vehicle or equipment to the market successfully. With a global presence and a team of trusted experts, UTAC continues to shape the future of mobility. We strive to provide agile services that help us to fulfil our mission: leading the mobility industry to new frontiers. UTAC provides services in the following areas: tailor-made testing solutions and systems, homologation, certification, regulatory consultancy and expertise, vehicle engineering, training, technical inspection, standardisation, corporate events and festivals for vintage and sports cars. The Group has tracks, test centres and laboratories in France, the United Kingdom, Finland, Morocco and the USA, as well as subsidiaries in China, South Korea, Japan, Romania and Italy. UTAC employs around 1,300 people across its various locations. www.utac.com |
