Jaguar sets up shop at race circuit

The 20km-long Nurburgring circuit has a particular place in the hearts of motoring enthusiasts, success at the challenging German track being synonymous with skilled driving, sharp handling and plenty of horsepower.

But although Formula One deserted the track at the end of 1976, the Nurburgring has in recent times come to be used as a proving ground for the motor industry and is now renowned as much as a high-speed test track as it is a classic motor sporting venue.

The same demanding corners that yesterday tested the world's top competition drivers, are used to push today's cars to the limit.

"Germany is an important export market for Jaguar, and our engineers have carried out high-speed vehicle durability testing and evaluation on the Nurburgring circuit for the past four years," said Mike Cross, Jaguar chief engineer for vehicle integrity.

"Every recent new Jaguar launch programme has been refined as a result of work in Germany.

"For example, the 400bhp (298kW) Jaguar S-Type R and the new, all-aluminium Jaguar XJ had to prove their driveability and reliability in hundreds of laps through the 73 corners of the Nurburgring."

The new test centre is one of a network of Jaguar test facilities worldwide. For the last three years, Jaguar has leased a small workshop a couple of miles away from the circuit.

The move to a larger, purpose-built facility closer to the track reflects the seriousness with which the company takes its commitment to developing further the driving dynamics of Jaguar.

The test centre director is Wolfgang Schuhbauer, who works alongside a team of up to 20 engineers testing new models and prototypes.

"The Nurburgring is ideal for simulating a variety of driving conditions, and enables accurate assessment of vehicle behaviour," he said.

"The various dips and crests allow analysis of a car's performance under high levels of suspension compression, and the requirement to brake from high speeds gives the braking components a thorough work-out.

"All materials are subjected to much higher loads than in typical road use, providing a valuable means of testing performance levels and wear rates in extreme situations or under constant load in real-world conditions."

The Nurburgring was chosen by Jaguar for reasons that stretch beyond gruelling circuit-based development.

The track, which is located in the Eifel Mountains, is also the ideal starting point for test evaluation on excellent local roads.

These include the winding mountain roads of the Eifel and Hunsruck regions, as well as an autobahn which enables the car's handling at sustained high speeds to be studied.

The test centre also focusses on fine-tuning the electronic systems fitted to many new Jaguars, including Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), self-levelling air suspension, traction control and the CATS adaptive damper system.

The new test centre houses several workshops with a total of eight lifting platforms and 20 computer terminals.

The design of the entrance and the hall in the middle of the building allows a large truck to enter and unload its cargo behind closed gates.

The centre also has a separate conference and training room, a restaurant and a presentation room.

Says Schuhbauer: "The unique Nurburgring is the perfect place for preparing a Jaguar for 'real life'.

"But while the track is a special place, driving round and round would be of little benefit without the infrastructure.

"Jaguar already has a successful relationship with the Nurburgring. The new centre will enable us to gain further advantages."