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- Matthias Schollmaiers ausgestreckten Arme zeigen den Verlauf der neuen Geraden an.
Director of GME Proving Grounds is his title, the European test site is his territory: Dr. Matthias Schollmaier. The Opel test center in Rodgau-Dudenhofen will be extensively expanded by 2015 under his direction. Schollmaier combines a world view with a keen eye for detail, when he says: “We must be proactive in our planning so as not to mortgage our future options.”
As of the end of the August, the largest among the many construction sites here is a 2.1-kilometer straightaway including turning loops and sloped curves. It will replace the 3-kilometer track in Pferdsfeld, a former runway at the military air base, which Opel is now leaving. The size of the straightaways, which are up to 30 meters wide, is illustrated by Schollmaier: “You could land a Boeing 737 there with no problem.”
This new circuit is the first to be located outside the ‘ancestral’ test area and will run parallel to the main highway. The current access road therefore has to be moved, so a new gate will be built to the north. And that’s not all. By 2015, around €35 million will be invested in the facility southeast of Frankfurt. Traffic management there will also be completely reorganized: Cameras and floor and side antennae will be able to communicate using a chip inserted into the license plate.
And Schollmaier has even more ideas up his sleeve. “Our transport connections here are brilliant, what with the highways and airports and all,” he says. He would like to exploit this trump card even further. While he plays his cards close to his chest, he gave this much away: “We’ll continue to grow here.” The next page provides details on what has been achieved to date.
THAT’S NEW AT DUDENHOFEN
1 & 2
NEW ACCESS ROAD AND NEW GATE/EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT
The new access road is to be located to the northeast of the current road. It leads in an arc to the test center’s new gate. The required infrastructure, including parking spaces, will be built here.
3
NEW LONG STRAIGHTAWAY
The straightaway on which Opel will chase the future is 2.1 kilometers long. It has ten lanes at its widest point, and the sloped curves of the turning loops ensure an unimpaired and lively pace.
4
EXPANDED WORKSHOP AND ADMINISSTRATION AREA
Developers of exhaust gas rollers will find a home here, with testing stations, workshops, offices, and 100 parking spaces. The chassis workshop will be built in the southeastern area, complete with a high-rack tire warehouse and 60 new parking spaces.
5
SPECIAL OBSTACLES
Manhole covers from several European countries put driving comfort to the test. The trick: Their height can be adjusted.
6
NEW CITY TRACK
Typical inner city driving situations will be simulated on a new city track.
7
EXPANDED HANDLING ROUTE
Uphill and downhill slopes, sharp bends and short dips are all part of this section.
8
RADIATION DOME
The antenna system, which measures the signal strength of navigation and radio devices, will be moved here from Pferdsfeld.
9
OLD ACCESS AND EXIT ROAD
The road previously leading to
the test center will in future
serve as part of the new long straightaway.
10
HIGH-SPEED CIRCUIT
The four-lane, steep track, which was renovated in 2012, will continue to be the site’s highlight. A slope of up to 40 degrees allows for speeds of 250 km/h without lateral forces.
11
TRAINING CENTER (OPC)
This course remains at the heart of in-house and external driving lessons.
Since the first test drive in 1966, Opel has developed a test site of the first order in the Rodgau Forest. Round track, a circuit designed to measure comfort and noise, as well as one for hills, handling, and tortuous ground, all enable intense vehicle tests.
GM and Opel engineers develop vehicles on the circuit and in their own buildings. External customers can also lease the center for tests or driving lessons.
Around 10,000 people use the site every year. Some 300 Opel employees work in Rodgau-Dudenhofen currently.