Built for the Extreme
Arizona is known for its extreme heat, making it an ideal place to push vehicles to their limits. AZ Family recently visited Toyota’s proving grounds in the Grand Canyon State, where the Japanese automaker has invested $50 million in upgrades to test cars under harsh conditions and identify potential issues ahead of time.
The investment includes a 5.5-mile oval track and new technology upgrades for its R&D program. These enhancements are aimed at testing the cars’ noise and weather impact, while the improved handling capabilities also support Toyota’s growing Gazoo Racing brand, the automaker’s performance division behind models like the GR Corolla and the outgoing GR Supra.
Secrets in the Sand
One of the most interesting moments during the visit was seeing the so-called hide shed, which was built to conceal cars from competitors trying to get a sneak peek, including those in low-flying aircraft. In such cases, drivers would be radioed to pull into the shed. Bob Ditner, senior manager at the proving ground, emphasized how discreet the site is, saying, “It’s 12,000 acres, and it’s our little slice of confidential heaven.”
The sun-drenched conditions allow Toyota to test components such as paint finishes and seat materials. However, despite the heat, the R&D facility can also recreate snow-covered surfaces, making it ideal for evaluating how braking systems perform on slippery roads. It also has off-road areas where the team can further improve the ruggedness and durability of its vehicles. In fact, the automaker even tested and built a Sequoia into a first-responder vehicle equipped with upgrades such as a suspension lift and off-road tires.
Breaking Cars Before Customers Do
Toyota also noted that, depending on the type of test, a vehicle can rack up around 100,000 miles in a year. To put that into perspective, the average American drives about 13,000 miles annually. The brand has been doing this since the early 1990s, when its luxury division, Lexus, was still in its early years. Now, the new investment is seen as a long-term commitment that will help keep the facility operating in the years ahead.
Other automakers also have their own proving grounds, with homegrown brands like Ford typically maintaining facilities in Michigan. For Toyota, having a site in Arizona helps ensure its vehicles are tested in extreme real-world conditions long before they make it into customers’ driveways.
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