Stellantis engineering teams around the world are working hard to develop new technologies that will make cars safer, more environmentally friendly and more affordable. The Group recently invested €33 million in two of its key research and development facilities, the Orbassano Safety Center located in Turin and the test center in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA.
This development accelerates the execution of Stellantis' strategic plan, Dare Forward 2030, particularly with regard to the target of reducing carbon emissions by 50% in the period 2021 - 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2038.
These facilities are already two of the most important for the Stellantis Group, where models and technologies from Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Abarth and Fiat Professional have been developed. The most recent model developed in the case of Orbassano is the new Alfa Romeo Tonale, while in the case of Auburn Hills it is the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, which for the first time in its history is available with a Plug-in Hybrid system (4xe). In detail, the new additions to the facility include:
- Orbassano Safety Center, Turin, Italy: new digital data processing methods and upgrades to the four test tracks for the testing and development of pure electric vehicles (BEVs), as well as the development of autonomous driving systems for passenger and light commercial vehicles (LCVs).
- Aerodynamic tunnel in the Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA.: upgrades including the installation of a rolling carpet with a changeable inclination for more accurate measurements of the aerodynamic performance of the vehicles. This area is critical for optimising the performance of electrified vehicles and increasing their autonomy.
"These two state-of-the-art test centres will further contribute to making future models of the Stellantis the benchmark in the automotive industry for performance and safety", noted Mr. Harald Wester, Chief Engineering Officer of Stellantis.
Key targets of Stellantis' Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan are 100% of passenger vehicle sales in Europe and 50% of passenger and light commercial vehicle sales in the US to consist of all-electric vehicles by 2030.
The €5 million investment in the Orbassano Safety Center enables testing for all types of electrified vehicles: mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric. At least two crash tests are carried out at the facility on a daily basis, and more than 275 electrified vehicles are tested on an annual basis. Orbassano's highly advanced facilities enable vehicles to be certified to more than 175 safety and technology standards, and the most demanding tests can be carried out. Impressively, the cameras located in the test area can even cover the floor of the cars.
Similarly, the Orbassano circuits can be used for static and on-the-go tests involving autonomous driving. The Level 2 autonomous driving system that equips the new all-electric FIAT 500 and the new Alfa Romeo Tonale, among others, were developed in these areas.
The Orbassano test centre is one of the most comprehensive facilities of its kind in the world, covering fuse tests, aerodynamic performance measurements and tests relating to vehicle behaviour in different climatic conditions.
The facilities at Auburn Hills in the USA are also impressive. In particular, Stellantis is investing $29.5 million in the aerodynamic tunnel, equipping it with the latest state-of-the-art variable incline taxiway system. In this way, the vehicle's movement is simulated more accurately, in particular the resistance caused by the wheels and tyres, which corresponds (depending on the speed) to approximately 10% of the total aerodynamic resistance of the vehicle. The installation is capable of simulating speeds in excess of 220 km/h.
