To put each and every one of its cars and drivers through the ultimate trial of guts and glory, Mercedes’ notorious test track boasts a ‘death curve’ which is enough to send shivers down your spine.
Germany is home to many of the most famous stretches of tarmac in the world.
From the Autobahn to the Nurburgring, the Central European home of cars has some legendary, tried and tested roads.
One of the lesser-known, but equally iconic, is Mercedes’ test centre in Stuttgart, which features the ‘death curve’.
Mercedes uses a ‘death curve’ to test its cars and coaches
Peaking at a 90-degree angle, this corner of the Stuttgart test track is terrifying.
But Mercedes has put its cars and coaches through their paces here, testing grip and speed.
Created in 1967, the track has hosted everything from the 123-series saloon, the O 303 touring coach, and the early S-Class models.
Originally intended to almost serve as a velodrome-esque overtaking zone, they set a 90mph speed limit around the bend, which sends its drivers almost at a right angle compared to those on the flatter lane.
This particular curve isn’t the only function of the test track, as the manufacturers adapted it to test all driving conditions from stormy winds, torrential rain, and pothole-ridden, bumpy country lanes.
The pinnacle of German racing circuits
Mercedes has now moved on from its Stuttgart circuit to create another all-weather track, but the ‘death corner’ is still alive and used in small capacities.
Instead, Merc moved 80 miles south to a new $233m Immendingen in 2018, which proved to be the key landmark for the development of the AMG-One and the brand-new concept four-door AMG GT XX.
Still, when German cars want to be put to the real test, it’s the Nürburgring that holds the most value.
Even for Mercedes’ minivans, which still smash their way around the race track to set record-breaking lap times.
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