On May 14, the newly completed track element of the ZalaZONE Automotive Proving Ground in Zalaegerszeg, the High-Speed Oval, was opened.

The new track module offers a unique opportunity in Hungary for high-speed and durability testing of vehicles. The 4.45 km long oval track allows for safe, stable driving at speeds of 180 km/h without lateral acceleration, while in the parabolic corners, speeds of up to 270 km/h are also achievable. The track’s geometry and construction support not only the testing of passenger cars but also commercial vehicles.

At the ceremonial opening of the oval track at the Conference Center, representatives included the Austrian partner company, the Hungarian government, the Parliament, Zala County, the city of Zalaegerszeg, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Bálint Nagy, State Secretary for Transport at the Ministry of Construction and Transport, emphasized in his speech that the automotive industry is a key sector for the Hungarian economy. The government has worked extensively in recent years to position Hungary as a hub where Western and Eastern advanced technologies meet. The country hosts some of the world’s most developed car manufacturers, including Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Suzuki, and BYD.

The government decided to establish the test track in 2016, aiming to make it a center for innovation and research and development, ensuring Hungary’s continued participation in automotive industry advancements. The past years have proven the validity of this vision, and with the oval track, the Zalaegerszeg complex has become a top facility in Europe.

Elekt Nagy, President of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated at the opening that ZalaZONE embodies knowledge — “built on knowledge and based on knowledge,” including engineering, physics, university, theoretical, and practical expertise. The ZalaZONE and the Hungarian chamber system are founded on collaborative knowledge. The Hungarian chamber system is open to others’ knowledge and is eager to share it.

László Palkovics, the Government Commissioner for Artificial Intelligence and Managing Director of Autóipari Próbapálya Zala Kft., highlighted that development does not end with the inauguration of the new oval track. Ongoing technological progress and innovation will require further investments. The test track already serves more than fifty manufacturers, with a goal of reaching a hundred partners, collaborating not only with European but also with Chinese, Japanese, South Korean, and Turkish companies.

The proving ground is not just an independent facility but part of a comprehensive ecosystem capable of hosting research and development processes. The innovation park serves other sectors as well; for example, Rheinmetall’s most modern military vehicle factory has been built here, the Flextronics plant, where power inverters are manufactured for BMW, will soon be inaugurated, and Bosch’s R&D unit with 250 researchers is already operational.

Currently, the test track is operated by Autóipari Próbapálya Zala Kft., in partnership with Austrian AVL. Headquartered in Graz, AVL specializes in the development, simulation, and testing of internal combustion, hybrid, electric motors, and drivetrains, and is a key partner of the Zalaegerszeg testing facility. Helmut List, CEO and Chairman of AVL, spoke on behalf of the company about the early stages of the cooperation and the facility’s merits, emphasizing its sustainability and its role as a joint scientific research center. The global capacity of the automotive industry is fully realized through the test track’s capabilities. Lukas Walter, COO of AVL’s engineering division, added that the experience gained at the Zalaegerszeg test track accelerates automotive development processes.

The elements of the test track, including the oval track’s capabilities, were presented by Zoltán Hamar and Norbert Brosi, managing directors of AVL ZalaZONE Kft. Regarding construction, they shared that 400,000 cubic meters of earth were moved, 17,000 cubic meters of cement and 35,000 tons of asphalt were used in the 4.5 km long track, built with 3D control.

Following the opening, guests participated in demonstrations with professional test drivers by trying out the new course.