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Car driving through a snowy winter landscape – test or drive under winter conditions.

Cold Cli­mate

Ensure cold-weather reliability with all-season winter testing

Cold-weath­er re­li­a­bil­i­ty

UTAC’s teams in Finnish Lapland specialize in cold-weather testing for vehicles, components, and tyres, offering extensive snow and ice tracks alongside indoor winter test facilities and enabling year-round testing on natural snow and ice. 

What we of­fer

Beyond the Arctic Circle, all year long

A drone shot of a vehicle driving in circles on a vast, snow-covered ice surface, leaving a trail of snow. In the background, snow-covered trees and a town are visible under a clear winter sky.

Situated 300 km north of the Arctic Circle, the two Utac site offer an extended winter testing season, with outdoor snow and ice tracks typically available from November through April. 

Its cutting-edge indoor facilities featuring five specialized tracks allow low-friction (low-mu) testing even in summer, with surfaces including snow, ice, asphalt, and split-friction conditions. 

Discover Ivalo

Fa­cil­i­ties and In­fra­struc­ture

An aerial view of a vast snow-covered landscape, possibly a winter test track or a ski resort, with multiple parallel tracks cut into the snow, winding trails, and dense evergreen forests bordering the open areas.

UTAC Ivalo provides customers with well-equipped workshops, offices, and essential infrastructure strategically designed to ensure smooth, efficient testing operations. 

The proving ground features purpose-built tracks for vehicle testing, including snow handling circuits, flat tracks, and a dedicated vehicle dynamics area. These tracks, made from compacted snow, support higher speeds with enhanced safety margins. 

The indoor winter testing facility enables continuous cold-weather testing even during the summer months. Natural snow flats and snow handling are available from April to November, while asphalt and ice surfaces can be used year-round. 

An com­pre­hen­sive of­fer for cold cli­mate

  • 100 Kilometres of Outdoor Test Tracks
  • Off-road areas for military vehicle or other off-highway vehicle testing.
  • Controlled Indoor Environment: Indoor track temperatures can be precisely set between +15°C and -10°C to suit various test requirements.
  • Extreme Cold Chambers allow vehicles to be cooled to -40°C, supporting both indoor and outdoor cold-weather testing.
  • EV Charging Infrastructure, offering options from 22 kW AC to high-power 400 kW DC charging.
  • 15 well equipped workshop and office combinations to support test teams’ work on site

Re­lat­ed Ac­tiv­i­ties

Acoustics

We help optimize vehicle sound quality and reduce noise pollution through precise acoustic and vibration testing.

A white sports car coupe is positioned in a futuristic-looking room with sound-absorbing wall and ceiling panels. The vehicle rests on a yellow and black striped platform.

Ac­tive & Pas­sive Safe­ty

Our safety testing ensures vehicles protect occupants and prevent accidents through advanced system validation and crash testing.

An empty car body on a test rig in a brightly lit laboratory or test track with rows of overhead lights.

Com­po­nents

We rigorously test individual parts to guarantee durability, reliability, and compliance under real-world conditions.

Technician testing a car seat on a test rig in a modern lab – quality assurance and ergonomic testing.

Dura­bil­i­ty & Mea­sure­ments

Our testing simulates long-term wear to validate vehicle performance, structural integrity, and reliability over time.

A vehicle chassis without a body is being tested in a laboratory setting with complex machinery and measurement devices. A wheel is prominently featured in the foreground.

Light­ing

We evaluate lighting systems to ensure optimal visibility, safety, and compliance with international standards.

A modern car with glowing taillights drives through a futuristic-looking tunnel, illuminated with blue lights and abstract wall structures.

Metrol­o­gy

Our precision measurement services ensure accuracy and consistency in every stage of vehicle development and testing.

Close-up of hands connecting a technical device with cables, possibly a sensor or connector.

On-site Test­ing

We bring our expertise to your location, reducing costs and lead times while maintaining our high standards.

A mechanic in red work attire and a female client in a white coat are standing next to a silver car in an auto repair shop, discussing repairs.

Pow­er­train

We test and optimize all types of powertrains, from traditional engines to electrified system, for performance, emissions, and efficiency.

A large blue truck is being tested on a test bench in a hall, surrounded by measurement equipment, cables, and safety barriers. The "UTAC" logo is visible in the background.

Tyres

Our tyre testing covers safety, grip, durability, and performance in all driving conditions.

A white car drives dynamically through snow, with snow being kicked up by the tire. The sky is blue.

Ve­hi­cle En­gi­neer­ing

We support the complete vehicle development process, from design to final testing, with engineering excellence.

Off-road vehicle driving through muddy terrain – close-up of tires in action during test.

Ve­hi­cle Val­i­da­tion

We confirm that your vehicle meets performance, safety, and regulatory requirements before it goes to market.

Two people stand in front of a large testing setup featuring numerous lights and cameras, possibly in a laboratory for lighting or imaging tests.

Ho­molo­ga­tion

We guide you through complex international regulations to secure type approval and market access for your vehicles and components.

Technician working on a white vehicle in a modern testing facility – open hood visible.
    Con­tact

    We look for­ward to hear­ing from you

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