Lommel Proving Grounds
Encyclopedia
The Lommel Proving Ground also known as the Ford LPG, is a automotive proving ground
, constructed by Ford of Europe on ground rented from the city of Lommel
, located south of the Belgian
hamlet of Kattenbos. Lommel covers an area of 3.22 km ², and since the development of new models are kept secret, the track closed to the public and heavily guarded.
In 1964, Ford came to an agreement with the city of Lommel to rent a large area of forest on which to develop a test track. The location was chosen as it was mid-way between Ford's main development centres and production plants in Germany
and the United Kingdom
, allowing easy integration access. Operational from 1965, from 1970 the track was further extended, so that by 2008 there were 80 kilometres (49.7 mi) of varying surfaces. Besides test track there are also environmental chambers, freshwater and saltwater pools.
Proving ground
A proving ground is the US name for a military installation or reservation where weapons or other military technology are experimented or tested, or where military tactics are tested...
, constructed by Ford of Europe on ground rented from the city of Lommel
Lommel
Lommel is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. On January 1, 2006 Lommel had a total population of 31,898. The total area is 102.37 km² which gives a population density of 312 inhabitants per km².-Lutlommel:...
, located south of the Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
hamlet of Kattenbos. Lommel covers an area of 3.22 km ², and since the development of new models are kept secret, the track closed to the public and heavily guarded.
In 1964, Ford came to an agreement with the city of Lommel to rent a large area of forest on which to develop a test track. The location was chosen as it was mid-way between Ford's main development centres and production plants in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, allowing easy integration access. Operational from 1965, from 1970 the track was further extended, so that by 2008 there were 80 kilometres (49.7 mi) of varying surfaces. Besides test track there are also environmental chambers, freshwater and saltwater pools.