The new NATRAX facility is Asia’s longest high-speed test track. It is located
in Pithampur, which is 50km away from Indore. The facility has been developed in
around 3,000 acres of land. The National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX)
facility is the longest in Asia and the fifth-largest in the world. It measures 11.3 km in length with 4 lanes.
The facility can be used for measurements of maximum speed, acceleration,
constant speed fuel consumption, emission tests through real road driving
simulation, high-speed handling and stability evaluation during maneuvers
such as lane change and high-speed durability testing among others and is a
center of excellence for vehicle dynamics. The maximum speed that vehicles
can attain at the facility is 375kph.
The location of the facility is accessible to most of the major OEMs and
enables OEMs to conduct a wide variety of tests in one track itself. The
tests may include coast down tests, brake tests, constant speed fuel
consumption test, speedometer calibration, noise, and vibration measurement,
and mileage accumulation among others.
The Government of India says at present, foreign OEMs go to high-speed
tracks abroad for high-speed test requirements and now will benefit from
NATRAX HST for the development of prototype cars for Indian conditions.
Automobile manufacturers can also use the facility for product
demonstrations and experiences.
OEMs like Volkswagen, FCA, Peugeot, Renault and Lamborghini have shown
interest in using the facility.
