Mercedes-Benz Unveils €400M Test Centre for Next-Gen Vehicles
Mercedes-Benz Group has unveiled a state-of-the-art vehicle development test centre in Immendingen, Germany. The facility, opened on October 2, 2025, boasts an automated Heide durability circuit and a novel light test centre, marking a significant investment of €400 million so far.
The new durability circuit uses driving robots to mimic 300,000 km of customer driving in just 6,000 km, running around the clock without human intervention. This innovation allows engineers to perform speed tests virtually using a 'digital twin' before building prototypes.
The upgraded Immendingen proving ground, spanning 520 hectares with 86 km of diverse tracks, serves as the 'digital-meets-real' playground for developing the next generation of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. It can simulate different weather conditions and various road conditions from different countries, moving nearly 80% of real-world speed tests off public roads.
The light testing centre, 135 metres long and 8 metres high, simulates a real country road indoors. It features reflective asphalt, oncoming traffic simulations, and pedestrian dummies, ensuring headlights perform consistently under controlled speed tests. Up to five cars can be tested simultaneously in this centre.
In an eco-friendly approach, sheep and llamas are used to maintain the landscape of the proving ground. Since its launch, over 30,000 test vehicles have clocked 100 million km at the centre.
The upgraded Immendingen proving ground, with its automated durability circuit and light testing centre, demonstrates Mercedes-Benz's commitment to innovative and sustainable vehicle development. This investment ensures the company remains at the forefront of automotive technology and safety.
