Lang Lang Proving Ground

Overview

Located near Lang Lang, Victoria, this iconic 877-hectare automotive testing facility was established in 1957 by General Motors Holden (GMH). It served as the cornerstone of vehicle testing and development in Australia, simulating a range of real-world driving conditions across its 44km of test tracks.

Historical Significance

• Origins: Developed by engineer Charles A. Paterson to test vehicles under Australian driving conditions.
• Testing Tracks: Included sealed/unsealed roads, a 4WD course, and a high-speed banked oval.
• Vehicle Development: From 1958 onwards, all Holden vehicles were tested here, ensuring durability and performance.

The Transition to VinFast

The Lang Lang Proving Ground entered a new chapter in 2020 when Vietnamese EV manufacturer VinFast acquired the site following Holden’s departure. The site was rebranded as the VinFast Lang Lang Proving Ground and briefly operated as a major automotive development facility.

Location & Size: The proving ground is located on the Bass Highway, 90km southeast of Melbourne, covering 877 hectares (2,144 acres) of land rich in significant flora and fauna. It features a 44km road system: 22km sealed and 15km unsealed roads, plus several dedicated test tracks.

Our Services and Capabilities

• Vehicle Test Laboratory:
  • Ambient and Environmental Emission Testing (-40°C to +50°C)
  • Emissions Diagnostic Testing
  • SHED Testing (2-day diurnal)
  • EV Range & Energy Consumption Testing
• Calibration Services:
  • Engine, Transmission, and EV Calibration
• Durability Testing:
  • Road Load Data Acquisition (RLDA)
  • Tailored Accelerated, General, Corrosion & Structural Durability
  • Misuse/Abuse Testing
• Performance Testing:
  • Vehicle Performance Development & Certification
  • Dynamics, Chassis, Brakes, Electrical, NVH, Cooling & HVAC
  • Benchmarking
• ADAS Testing:
  • Euro NCAP/ANCAP/NHTSA/ECE/ISO Pre-Qual
  • Pedestrian, Bicycle VRU, Blind Spot Detection
  • Lane Assist, Auto Parking, Adaptive Cruise Control
  • OEM-Tailored Tests
• Additional Services:
  • Product Launches, Media Events, Drive Days, Driver Training
  • Track Hire, Press Fleet Prep, Vehicle Run-in, Workshops & Offices

Track Infrastructure

• Circular Track:
  • 4.7km sealed banked track with 4 lanes (up to 180+ km/h)
  • 7 sealed brake pads (0–180 km/h range)
• Skid Pad:
  • 98m diameter concrete pad + 500m lead-in road
  • Includes 3 cold boxes and adjacent meeting room
• Durability Tracks:
  • Twist Course with rumble strips, speed humps, light & deep twist
  • Rough Track with potholes, corrugations, Belgian pave
  • Test Hills with gradients of 15%, 20%, 25%, 35%
  • 5km sealed Hill Route with 6%, 12%, 15% gradients
  • Includes 4WD track and pothole zones
• Ride & Handling Track:
  • 4km sealed road featuring expansion joints, tram tracks, camber corners
• Noise Road:
  • 1.77km of varied sealed surfaces reflecting Australian state roads (max 120 km/h)

Materials Laboratory

• Mechanical: Tensile, Tear, Puncture, Impact
• Chemical: FTIR, filler ID
• Microscopy: SEM, Digital & Optical
• Durability: Environmental (-40°C to 150°C), Abrasion, Scratch & Mar
• Hardness: Durometer, Rockwell, Brinell
• Flammability & Coating Thickness
• Corrosion: Salt Spray, Cyclic, Humidity
• Stress Cracking, Failure Analysis, 3D Printing

Corrosion Facility

• Salt Splash Road
• Salt Mist Booth
• Humidity Chambers

Cold Cell Testing

• 3 Cold Boxes on the skid pad (-30°C / +50°C)
• 2 Portable Cold Boxes for on-location repeatability

Office, Garage & Training Facilities

• Leased garage space with/without hoists
• Small to large meeting rooms equipped for webinars and training
• Optional demo garage space for training courses
• Engineering, technician & kitchen support

Although the site was only in operation under VinFast briefly, this comprehensive test facility remains a testament to its engineering capabilities and the world-class infrastructure it continues to offer.

Lang Lang Proving Ground Historical Images

What This Site Used To Be

This website was once home to the official information page for the Lang Lang Proving Ground. It showcased the facilities, engineering excellence, and capabilities of one of the most advanced automotive testing grounds in the Southern Hemisphere.

Recent Ownership History

In 2020, VinFast a Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer purchased the Lang Lang facility from GM Holden after Holden ceased operations. The site was intended to be a key R&D base for VinFast's international expansion.

However, by mid-2021, VinFast operations were scaled back, and the proving ground was once again placed on the market and currently remains on the market.

Source: CarExpert Article

What This Site Is Now Used For

The current use of the Lang Lang Proving Ground remains uncertain, though CarExpert has been observed conducting vehicle reviews at the site on several occasions. The process for gaining access is not publicly disclosed. All Terrain Action would welcome the opportunity to utilise this iconic facility for consumer-focused testing of BYD electric vehicles in the future.

We believe this facility has the potential to become a premier location for car and 4WD training, including day events, club meets, and industry gatherings. Victoria is in desperate need of a venue like this and the location is positioned very well.

Legacy

The Lang Lang Proving Ground is remembered not just as a facility, but as a symbol of Australia's contribution to global automotive innovation. Its role in testing and engineering vehicles for generations remains unmatched.