Škoda Auto has recently inaugurated new facilities for its Emissions Centre and a Simulation Centre in Mladá Boleslav, following an investment of nearly €22 million. These new facilities are set to enhance Škoda’s in-house development capabilities within their Technical Development department. With state-of-the-art technologies, these centers can precisely simulate various climatic conditions to conduct comprehensive tests that mimic real-world scenarios. The Simulation Centre is particularly notable for being unique in the Czech Republic and within the Volkswagen Group, ranking among the most advanced facilities in Europe.
This expansion is a significant advancement in automotive development, reinforcing Škoda Auto’s leadership in testing drive and thermal management systems. The new Simulation Centre allows for vehicle functionality testing under extreme conditions and validates virtual calculations across diverse driving environments. The facility can maintain temperatures ranging from -7 to +50°C and relative humidity levels from 10 to 95%, which is vital for testing vehicles for markets like India. It also simulates sunlight exposure and mountain driving at altitudes up to 5500 meters. The laboratory features a modern roller dynamometer for vehicles with outputs up to 300 kW, simulating driving resistances at speeds up to 265 km/h. Additionally, it is equipped with advanced air ducting systems, an emissions analysis setup, and a high-speed charging station for electric vehicles with outputs up to 400 kW. This combination of technologies allows for complex and precise tests, closely replicating real-world operations. The facility can perform up to 850 tests annually, significantly expanding the scope for developing new technical solutions.
The Emissions Centre has also been expanded to meet current and future legislative requirements, such as the EU7 emission standard. New measurement booths will be used by the Quality department to ensure that both pre-production and production vehicles comply with these stringent standards.
Škoda’s new facilities underscore its technical competence within the Volkswagen Group. The rigorous tests conducted at the Simulation Centre adhere to legislative standards of the European Union, China, India, Brazil, and other regions. This development marks a crucial step for Škoda in taking on greater responsibility for the Volkswagen MQB27 platform, overseeing the development of the EA211 petrol engine series, and associated systems like air intake, exhaust, cooling, and thermal management. The company also manages all related manual transmissions and the application of the DQ200 automatic transmission.
To support these advancements, Škoda’s Technical Development department is actively seeking new technical staff from various disciplines to join their team. This expansion reflects Škoda Auto’s ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in automotive development and production.