Apollo Tyres have inaugurated a tyre testing facility at their Global R&D Centre, Chennai, India. The new facility will help improve upon the efficiency and effectiveness of product development cycle for passenger vehicles and two-wheeler tyres, including the ones for electric vehicles.
The key features of the facility are the custom-designed ‘flat-trac’ machine and anechoic chamber, which would characterise the tyres’ dynamic and acoustic performances, leading to faster product development for both OE and replacement markets. Tyres for high-end passenger vehicles, EVs and high-end motorcycle will benefit the most due to this facility.
Speaking at the inauguration, Daniele Lorenzetti, Chief Technology Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said “We strongly focus on continuous improvement in efficiency and effectiveness of product development, and this new facility will further augment our testing capabilities for future vehicle models. We will be able to fine-tune the performance of our products by simulating closely to real-world conditions using this facility. This is aligned with Apollo Tyres’ 2026 vision, of which technology is a key pillar.”
The flat-trac machine, which is a key component of Advanced Tyre Testing, is used to characterise handling parameters by measuring force and moment (F&M) properties of tyres. This machine is custom designed to address the tyre simulation needs of future vehicles, such as EVs and autonomous cars. Unlike previous versions, this machine replicates real-life situations, including emergency manoeuvres of vehicles. For two-wheelers, it simulates the most severe inclinations.
Another component of this testing facility is the high-speed uniformity machine combined with anechoic chamber. This helps simulate the NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) properties of the tyres, which are critical for vehicles, especially EVs and premium cars. This machine combines the study of both mechanical and acoustic comfort parameters, by building different road profiles for the tyres to be tested.
The company is also looking at reducing the expensive and time-consuming tests at different tracks around the world, by using these advanced testing capabilities.
Story: Sumesh Soman
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