To ensure consistent and highly-concentrated development activities under optimum test conditions, the BMW Group now has a new, Group-owned test base in the town of Arjeplog in northern Sweden. Just 56 kilometres or 35 miles south of the Polar Circle, this new Test Centre offers perfect climatic and logistic conditions for testing vehicle components and new models in the process of reaching production standards. The new facilities and buildings in which BMW has invested some Euro 16 million serve to replace several former test sites in a number of countries. Now, therefore, all of the BMW Group's winter test activities for the BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce brands may be conducted at the new Central Base in Arjeplog, ensuring significant synergies in work processes and even greater efficiency than before. Close cooperation of engineers in numerous Divisions at the new Centre facilitates the integration of work processes both in fundamental studies and practical tests. This benefits in particular the development of networked systems such as BMW's intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive technology. Operating in conjunction with DSC Dynamic Stability Control, xDrive is particularly efficient in distributing drive forces not only for optimum traction, but also for controlled and safe driving dynamics in bends. And the extra driving pleasure ensured in this way also in everyday use makes a significant contribution to the benefits of this cutting-edge system and its great appeal. Precisely this is why BMW already offers no less than 21 models with xDrive -- and current developments indicate that soon more than every fourth BMW sold worldwide will be equipped with this intelligent all-wheel drive. Looking into the future, BMW is going even further, focusing on ICM Integrated Chassis Management, to use the project title, combining a wide range of drive and control systems and integrating even more components in an all-round control philosophy. The new Test Centre in northern Sweden offers optimum conditions for developing such breakthrough technologies, allowing precise test and development routines under consistent conditions for the drivetrain, suspension, steering and brakes tested either individually or in their all-round interaction. This is what the BMW Group defines as networked development of fully integrated systems Optimum working conditions in the bitter cold: Arjeplog has been the preferred destination for winter testing for years, not only for BMW, but also for many other car makers. Driving on frozen lakes and snowbound roads is not only a gruelling test under extreme conditions, but also a particular challenge for new drive systems. With the new Test Centre built exclusively for the requirements of the BMW Group, the German manufacturer of premium cars is now highly autonomous at a location ideally suited for this purpose: Investing some Euro 16 million in Arjeplog, BMW has built an ultra-modern Test Centre offering BMW engineers and mechanics optimum working conditions. Just one example is the offices and workshops with generous dimensions and facilities as well as ultra-modern technical amenities. A filling station as well as a washing hall with various measuring and test tracks is also part of the Centre, which, through its particular location and climatic conditions, offers all the assets required for optimum testing. Test routes are available from November until April also on the frozen Kakel Lake directly next to the BMW Test Centre, enabling BMW's specialists to conduct a wide range of driving tests under the most demanding conditions. Building the new Test Centre, BMW naturally considered the specific requirements involved in testing and maintenance of cars with hydrogen drive. And last but not least, a secure network integrates the Arjeplog Test Centre within the BMW Group's Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ) in Munich.