Mahindra’s state-of-the-art testing ground, called the Mahindra SUV Proving Track (MSPT), is now officially open. This track is specially designed to test and develop SUV products of Mahindra. MSPT is one of the biggest and most comprehensive automotive test tracks owned by an automobile OEM. Located in Kanchipuram and just 55 km away from the Mahindra Research Valley, this test track will be instrumental for Mahindra’s upcoming SUV range of products. Mahindra engineers will leverage this track to undertake various simulations, with innovation being the keyword. There’s also a 4×4 Centre of Excellence located at MSPT.
Mahindra mentioned that their test track spreads over a total area of 454 acres of land. This is close to the total area of 325 football pitches. Designed by IDIADA, the Spanish institution with experience of over 50 years in building proving grounds, MSPT does have all the best facilities to offer.
The test track built by Larsen and Toubro (L&T), with Mahindra investing INR 510 Crore, is a big statement from the brand proving its commitment to provide the best products. MSPT also has a specially designed off-roading track, which opens for auto enthusiasts from 2022. This 4×4 track has multiple off-road obstacles. This includes up and down hills with slopes ranging from 7 to 35 degrees. Other setups include riverbeds of up to 1.2 m depth, mud, sand, rock bed, wooden bridge over river pass, soft and hard articulation, railway sleepers, and more.
The track has a High-Speed section with zero percentage of slope and 43.7-degree parabolic banking. This enables the vehicle to reach speeds over 200 kmph. An arrow straight 2 km, 11m wide road with zero per cent longitudinal slope will put the best of the cars to prove their full capabilities. There’s also a dynamic circular platform that will help to monitor and test the vehicle dynamics.
Safety is a paramount aspect of modern vehicles, and Mahindra is not different. Braking is one of the most important parameters concerning the safety aspect. And hence MSPT has set up a braking track along with six other surfaces of dry and wet. These will help to configure the ABS, ESP and TCS-like safety aids for the upcoming vehicles. Alongside, there’s also a general high durability track and a simulated city track.
Keeping in mind the different road surfaces present in the country, Mahindra also has an accelerated test track to test their cars. This test track makes up all the possible bad road surfaces like potholes, undulations, Belgian pavement, cobblestone, rumblers, and various kinds of washboard and speed breakers. MSPT also has the capability to simulate rain, water wading, and water splash to test the car. Other notable features include a full vehicle corrosion test, a 4×4 Adventure track, an exclusive prototype workshop, and much more.