TOKYO (Jan. 21, 2008) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. said it will be given preferential usage rights to Idiada Automotive Technology S.A.´s new test track, scheduled start operation in April.
Yokohama hopes the 15-year contract with the Spanish engineering firm will achieve better evaluation performance and faster tire development for European markets by securing a test track that can be used to evaluate tires even in winter.
Idiada´s main technical center, 40 miles southwest of Barcelona, includes a comprehensive proving ground equipped with 11 different test tracks for high-speed, fatigue, braking, handling, dynamics and off-road driving.
The contract signed by Yokohama Rubber covers the preferential usage of a wet handling track to be built within the proving ground with partial straight and circling tracks for hydroplaning tests. The tire maker plans to use the track mainly to evaluate tire compounds and tread patterns.