Inside the facilities
Construction began in 2021 and the facilities were officially inaugurated in May 2024. State-of-the-art equipment within the new simulation center facilitates real-world analysis of vehicle functionality under extreme loads as well as virtual evaluation across diverse driving conditions. Temperatures from -7°C to +50°C can be replicated. Other conditions can also be simulated including 10% to 95% relative humidity (crucial for replicating regions such as India), sunlight exposure and mountain driving at altitudes of up to 5,500m above sea level.
One of the most important elements of the new asset is a modern roller dynamometer for vehicles with outputs up to 300kW, capable of emulating driving resistances at speeds of up to 265km/h. The resource is also equipped with sophisticated air ducting with two fans for airflow simulation, an emissions analysis system and a high-speed charging station for electric vehicles with outputs up to 400kW. Up to 850 tests can be conducted annually – greatly expanding the company’s capacity to devise new technical solutions.
An expansion of Škoda’s emissions lab in response to current and upcoming legislative requirements – namely Euro 7 – includes the installation of new measurement booths. These will primarily be used by the quality department to ensure that both preproduction and production vehicles comply with all relevant current and future global standards.
“Opening the new simulation center represents a significant step forward in automotive development and reaffirms Škoda Auto’s leading position in the evolution and testing of drive and thermal management systems. The importance of the new simulation center and the emissions center will continue to grow, both in terms of ensuring the quality of production vehicles and in creating highly efficient powertrains and systems for the future,” said Johannes Neft, board member for technical development at Škoda Auto.
There are currently numerous vacancies at Škoda Auto, which can be viewed on the company’s website.
Key data on the simulation center:
Construction timeline: October 2021 – May 2024 (890 days)
Building size: 550m²
Wiring: 35,420m connecting measuring technologies
Coolant volume: 45m³ in cooling circuits
Airflow: Approximately 20,000m³/h through ventilation units
Dynamometric rollers: Up to 300kW capacity
Maximum simulated speed: 265km/h
Highest simulated altitude: 5,500m above sea level
Sustained temperature range: -7°C to +50°C
Relative humidity range: 10% to 95%
Solar simulation: up to 1,200W/m²