Toyota Built A Mini Nurburgring In Japan To Make Its Vehicles Sportier

The Nürburgring is one of the most famous tracks in the world and Toyota has created a miniature version of the Nordschliefe in Japan.

Located on the grounds of the company’s new research and development center in the mountainous region of Shimoyama, the track measures 3.3 miles (5.3 km) long and has an elevation change of 246 feet (75 meters).

While it’s not as long as the 16 mile (25.7 km) Nordschliefe, Toyota says it includes a “wide range of curves and cambers to simulate a variety of European roads.” The company said they did this to help their engineers to develop vehicles with dynamic characteristics that will make them fun to drive and appeal to European preferences.

The Nordschliefe-inspired track is just one component of the massive 1,600 acre proving ground. The technical center will also house development facilities, a high-speed test course and other specialty courses.

Construction is still underway, but it is scheduled to be completed in March of 2024. When it fully opens, the center will employee approximately 3,300 people and about 90% of them will be directly involved in vehicle development, testing and evaluation.

In a statement, Toyota president Akio Toyoda said “We intend to thoroughly hone every one of our models and develop the types of cars that epitomize the true joy of driving.” He went on to say the company will continue to “make every effort to bring a smile to the faces of our customers, regardless of the form that cars take in the future.”