The facility will have all types of surface to test vehicles on varying terrains and stringency. The mandate of NATRAX proving ground is to offer world-class testing and evaluation services catering for all categories of vehicles from 2 and 3 wheelers to heavy commercial vehicles.  NATRAX will also emerge as a Centre of Excellence for Vehicle Dynamics catering to the design and development activities of OEMs and tyre manufacturers in the country and abroad with the capability to undertake testing and R&D projects in the area for optimization of ride and handling, chassis and suspension tuning, full vehicle characterization, modelling and simulation etc.  The test tracks at NATRAX, which are meant primarily for R&D tests for automotive and auto component sector, can also be used for homologation tests. These test tracks are open air laboratories with stringent specifications and quality control to meet International standards.

NATRiP has planned an expenditure of about INR1,300 Crores to create this world class facility. Facilities at the center include R&D Tracks (Proving Ground) for NVH, fatigue and other performance testing, vehicle dynamics lab (Center of Excellence) and powertrain lab for development tests. NATRAX will be the largest automotive proving ground in Asia and one of the largest in the world.

The facility is a boon to the tyre industry for benchmarking of performance of their tyres.  It has also come in the right time when the concept of ‘Tyre Labeling’ has come into force with introduction of new standards for tyres viz., rolling resistance, wet grip and rolling noise emission parameters.

Facilities

NATRAX proving ground consists of 14 different types of test tracks viz., high speed track, dynamic platform, multi friction braking track, fatigue track, gradient track, gravel and off road track, handling track, comfort track, handling track for 2&3 wheelers, sustainability track, wet skid pad, noise track, general road along with dust tunnel, water wading trough, salted water wading trough, shower test rig etc. for comprehensive testing and evaluation, research & development and certification  of vehicles.

NATRAX also contains state-of-the-art vehicle dynamics lab and power train lab complimented by CAE Lab, instrumentation lab, client workshops and general storage building as support facilities.  The vehicle dynamics lab houses one of its kind facility in the country i.e. Kinematics and Compliance (K&C) Test rig for measurement of suspension parameters and damper test rig, elastomer test rig & steering test rig for measurement of performance of components, which can be used for mathematical modelling and prediction of performance using CAE tools and improve ride and handling characteristics in automobiles.  The power train Lab contains a Chassis Dynamometer coupled with Emission measurement system capable of benchmarking and testing compliance to emission norms of India, US, CARB, EPA, EURO and Japanese regulations.

Test capabilities

Tracks: Dynamic Platform : This is of 300 m diameter platform connected by 1.5 km long track of width varying from 20 m to 100 m with zero percent longitudinal slope designed with stringent evenness specifications.   This is the unique facility where High speed manoeuvrability and roll over stability of vehicles can be tested to the limits on this track.

Multi Friction Braking Track: This track has four different test surfaces like basalt tiles, ceramic tiles, polished concrete and high friction asphalt to offer varying friction values from low to high values.  Braking tests at 160 kmph, ABS tests with one side wheels on low friction and other side wheels on high friction surface, tyre development tests are undertaken on this track.  The track has facility to wet the surfaces uniformly through water sprinklers to undertake wet braking tests.  The track has also a special track on the side to test aqua planning.

Fatigue Track: This track has various torture track surfaces like pave track, pot holes, ditches, wash boards, herringbones, cobblestones, rough roads, splash road,  twist road etc for accelerated endurance testing of vehicles.  The track has two circuits one of low severity for testing upto cars and LCV’s and the other of high severity for testing buses and trucks.

Handling Track: This track is of 3.6 km length and 8 m width and has got serpentine curves of different radius varying from 20 m to 300 m and also with up and down gradients, reverse camber etc for testing high speed manoeuvrability / stability and road grip of vehicles on curves.

Handling Track for 2 and 3 Wheelers: There is a dedicated handling track for 2 and 3 wheelers of 1.5 km length and 5 m width with radii varying from 8 m to 20 m.

Gradient Track: The track has seven different gradients with percentage varying from 6 % to 30 % (6,8,12,18,20,24 & 30) for testing gradeability and parking brake capability of different vehicles.  All the tracks except 24 and 30 % have low friction surfaces also on the sides of gradients for testing vehicles with traction control systems.

Gravel and Off-Road Track: The track is of two loops of 3.5 km length and 5 m width each, the first loop with various gravels and the other with different forest / off – road patches like cross country, village roads, mud bowls, sand patches, mounds, steps, cants, twist ditches etc to assess the  mobility and durability of off-road vehicles.

Comfort Track: The comfort track contains different surfaces like smooth/rough asphalt, smooth/rough concrete, smooth/rough pave, wash boards, steps, cleats, bridge joints, village roads etc to assess the ride comfort in different road surfaces on different loads and speeds.

Sustainability Track: The sustainability track is built over a hill with uniform slope of 8 % over a length of 800 m and of 7 m width to assess the cooling performance of vehicles and also to test the effectiveness of retarders, transmission etc.

Wet Skid Pad: This track has been specially designed with combination of low and high friction surfaces of basalt tiles / asphalt combination on the circular pads with radius varying from 20 to 35 m to test wet cornering capabilities of tyres and vehicles.

Noise Track: The noise track has a unique feature with two different test patches complying with ISO 1994 and 2014 standards with acceleration and deceleration length of 350 m on both sides to be able to test the pass by noise levels of vehicles as per National/Inter-national standards.

High Speed Track: This is of oval shape and will be one of the largest in the world with total circuit length of 11.3 km and 16 m width.  The straight portion of the track is of 2.1 km length and the curved section of the track is of parabolic shape designed for testing at  250 kmph on curves as though travelling on straight roads.  A wide range of tests viz., high speed endurance tests, fuel consumption tests, coast down tests, noise & vibration measurements etc are undertaken on this track.  The construction of this track has been completed recently.

Labs

Vehicle Dynamics  Lab: There is a modern Test rig named Kinematics & Compliance (K&C) Test Rig in the Vehicle Dynamics Laboratory for testing suspension parameters  of Cars and LCV’s which can be used for mathematical modelling and prediction of performance using CAE tools and improve ride and handling characteristics in automobiles.   This is a unique facility in the country which the Indian automobile manufacturers have started using now  before which these  measurements were done abroad on their vehicles.  The lab also contains component test facilities such as damper test rig, elastomer test rig and steering test rigs for performance characterization and durability assessment.

Emission Test Lab: The Power Train Lab contains a Chassis Dynamometer to simulate road loads coupled with Emission measurement system capable of benchmarking and testing of cars and LCV ‘s for compliance to emission norms of India, US, CARB, EPA, EURO and Japanese regulations.

Current status

The Vehicle Dynamics Lab and Power Train Lab along with Client Workshops for support have already been commissioned and are being used by the Industry.  All 13 test tracks except the  High-speed track have  also  been completed already and  are  in use by the Industry.  As regards the high-speed track, the works  have been completed recently and its formal inauguration is awaited. (TT)

NATRAX discusses Budget impact on auto industry

The National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX), one of the state-of-the-art testing and certification centres under NATRiP, and a flagship project of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Govt of India, recently discussed the impact of India’s Union Budget 2021-22 in the country’s automotive industry. The webinar was attended by customers of NATRAX/auto industry professionals. The purpose was to make the auto industry professionals aware of the new avenues proposed in this budget for the growth of the auto industry.

The expectation from the Union Budget speech was very high, especially as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had promised to deliver a "first of its kind" and historic budget, the delegates observed.

NATRAX welcomed and appreciated the budget. There were seven presentations presented in the webinar wherein the speakers shared their knowledge on the budget pertaining to the auto industry and emphasised how NATRAX can support the requirements of testing and certification.

Dr N. Karuppaiah, Additional Director & Head, NATRAX delivered the welcome address and presented an overview of the budget focusing on six pillars- Health and Wellbeing, Physical & Financial Capital, and Infrastructure, Inclusive Development for Aspirational India, Reinvigorating Human Capital, and Minimum Government and Maximum Governance, of this budget.  He also highlighted the subjects relevant to Auto Industry and outlined the plans of NATRAX orienting to the Budget as under.

Sagar Bendre, Asst. The manager (T&D) at NATRAX, presented his paper on Budget Allocation for Highway Infrastructure.The proposed investment, he said, will boost construction equipment sales and the heavy truck and tipper industry and eventually also result in better demand from the rural and wage-earning community in the country. "Highways are coming up at a rapid pace, and accordingly, the crash barriers are also being installed along the highways. To maintain quality and standard requirements, specification in the crash barrier testing will be an important contribution from NATRAX. NATRAX is now known for the crash barrier testing facility. This is a unique test facility which NATRAX has performed independently and indigenously," said Bendre.

This year’s budget has allocated INR 18,000 crore to support augmentation of bus transport services for public.  Srihari SJ, Asst Manager (T&D), NATRAX, said this scheme will facilitate deployment of innovative PPP models to enable private sector players to finance, acquire, operate and maintain over 20,000 buses.  “The scheme will boost automotive sector, provide fillip to economic growth, create employment opportunities for youth and enhance ease of mobility for urban residents,” said Srihari. 

The emerging electric vehicles mobility paradigm is an important opportunity to foster Make–in-India for the advanced chemistry cells or EV batteries and their components, said Umesh Raghuwanshi, Asst. Manager (T&D) of NATRAX. Speaking on EV infrastructure, Raghuwanshi said, "GOI is providing modified special incentive package scheme and tax incentives that will help develop the indigenous testing and development ecosystem. Towards this NATRAX is working on the EV battery testing and development facility to work for the prospective EV makers to become self-reliant in the field of battery technology reducing the dependence on the import from China, Thailand and Japan."

"The budget outlay for the MSME sector has been doubled compared to last year. MSME dominates the auto component industry, and this will provide them with the necessary succour as the industry recovers," said Tulika Mazumdar, Sr. Engineer (P&TC) at NATRAX. He said start-ups in the automobile and allied industries can get immensely benefitted from NATRAX as the centre is equipped with state-of-the-art test tracks supplemented by the test laboratories for the components and system-level tests.

The government has also allocated INR 50,000 crore for National Research Foundation in this budget. JK Chakrabarty, Technical Advisor, said, "NATRAX, in association with prospective OEMs, will be working out projects in the areas of vehicle dynamics, Electric vehicle battery technology and vehicle testing. Suitable projects will be taken up in association with the National Research Foundation for funding. (TT)

The N Vision intelligent tyre from Maxxis has strengthened its resolve for innovation and sustainability by winning the gold A’ (A-Prime) Design award. The tyre was recognised in the Vehicle Parts, Auto Accessories and Care Products design category.

N Vision, which was created for the autonomous vehicles that are expected to be commercially available in 2030, makes use of information from several sensors to forecast tyre condition, vehicle load, speed and road conditions. By modifying the spokes' stretch and bending in response to such circumstances, it gives the tread area the best possible pre-compression or pre-tension. In the end, this lowers the cost of travel per mile. In order to maximise sustainability, N Vision was built using recycled materials made from fishing nets, tyres and PET bottles, as well as bio-based components made from rice husks and sunflower seeds. Tyre scrapping is decreased by its environmentally friendly design and materials, which also give customers an inexpensive, renewable travel choice.

A jury composed of 316 top designers, scholars and prominent members of the press selected the winners of the international A' Design Award competition, which recognises excellence in design in a wide range of fields, including transportation, hospitality, furniture, beauty and much more.

The Victra Sport 6 and HP6 tyres from Maxxis have won the Red Dot Product Design Award for 2025 in the Vehicle Accessories category.

The Maxxis Premitra HP6 features improved rolling resistance, effective braking, a smooth ride, improved mileage for longer travel and accurate handling in wet situations. Designed for sport and luxury automobiles, the Maxxis Victra Sport 6 is an ultra-high-performance tyre that works well with electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. It offers outstanding handling and performs quite well at sporty, faster driving. Both the tyres are available in Europe.

Red Dot Award winners are selected by a panel of 40 worldwide professionals who test, analyse and assess each entry in one of the biggest design contests in the world. The categories for awards include Design Concept, Brand Communication and Product Design. Winners will receive the Red Dot trophies during a banquet in Essen, Germany, on 8 July.

Continental's SportContact 7 tyre has emerged the test winner in this year's Auto Bild sportscar summer tyre test (issue 6/25) with an overall grade of 1.2 (exemplary).

Seven tyre models in the sizes VA 245/35 R 20 and HA 295/30 R 20 from European, Asian and American manufacturers were tested by the editors. The Lotus Emira served as the test car. The SportContact 7 scored top marks in wet handling, cornering, braking and aquaplaning. It had a 43.7-metre braking distance from 100 kmph on wet asphalt, which put it four metres ahead of the second-place tyre and eleven meters ahead of the last-place tyre. It clinched an intermediate score of 1- for the wet tests, which puts it far ahead of its rivals in the test field. After 31.2 metres at 100 kmph in the dry testing, the tyre came to a complete stop. Overall, the tyre received an intermediate 1- throughout the five dry categories.

The SportContact 7 is specifically made for high-performance sports cars that may be powered by electricity or conventional power. Several automakers have authorised it, and it comes in sizes ranging from 18 to 24 inches. Continental concentrated on achieving excellence in every performance criterion throughout development in order to maximise driving enjoyment and safety.

Andreas Schlenke, tyre expert at Continental, said, "The SportContact 7 took first place in the AUTO BILD sportscar test in both wet and dry conditions. This once again proves its leading position in the sports and UHP tyre segment.”

The final verdict from the tyre testers read: "Conti's sport tyre sets the standard for braking on dry and wet roads and offers a big plus in driving safety. Stable, well-balanced handling on dry roads.”

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) has welcomed the bipartisan passage of H.J.Res. 61, a resolution that improves environmental stewardship and lessens financial constraints on tyre manufacturing plants.

The resolution, co-sponsored by more than 20 representatives from 14 states and introduced by Representative Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), repeals the EPA's 29 November 2024 updated rule on Rubber Tire Manufacturing National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). With nine co-sponsors, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) spearheaded the campaign in the Senate with S.J.Res. 24. Before the House vote, USTMA sent in a letter of support for the measure. 

According to the EPA's own evaluation in 2020, the current guideline offers a sufficient margin of safety to safeguard human health and avert a negative environmental impact. On 29 November 2024, however, the EPA released an updated final NESHAP rule that added emission restrictions for total hydrocarbons (THC) and filterable particulate matter to the current NESHAP regulation, in defiance of the agency's own judgment. Because of this, tyre factories must build and run a large number of control devices called regenerative thermal oxidisers, which require a large amount of natural gas to burn impurities. In an effort to lower insignificant HAPs, these new control devices raise carbon emissions while placing a heavy financial burden on tyre manufacturing facilities with no clear emissions reduction target.  

The EPA's objective to protect America's clean air is shared by USTMA member companies. In order to reduce the negative impacts on the American tyre manufacturing business, the environment and the American economy, the USTMA supports Congressional action to overturn this final rule, even as it continues to collaborate with the EPA, the association stated.

Anne Forristall Luke, President and CEO, USTMA, said, “Tyre manufacturers have long understood and complied with the existing NESHAP standards to reduce hazardous air pollutant (HAPs) emissions from tyre manufacturing. However, the agency’s revised final NESHAP rule creates an adverse environmental impact, while imposing significant financial burdens on tyre manufacturing facilities and providing negligible, if any, benefits. The industry appreciates the Congressional leadership and bipartisan efforts in getting this resolution passed.”