Apple Scouts a Car Test Facility in California

Apple Inc. has indicated interest is using a former naval base 40 miles northwest of San Francisco to test the self-driving car it is developing, the American edition of U.K.'s Guardian newspaper reports.

The 2,100-acre facility in Concord, Calif., now owned by the local Contra Costa Transportation Authority, is called the GoMentum Station. The CCTA confirms Apple has asked it to provide "an understanding of timing and availability for the space."

The site, which is still guarded by the military, touts itself as the world's most secure location in which to test connected and self-driving vehicles. Apple has declined to comment.

Reports surfaced in February that Apple had quietly assembled a special projects team to pursue the feasibility of building an advanced electric car. The Guardian says the effort, dubbed Project Titan, appears to be within months of testing a drivable vehicle.

Honda and Mercedes-Benz have already used GoMentum Station's 20 miles of roads complete with bridges, underpasses, buildings and sidewalks to test autonomous vehicles. Honda posted a YouTube video last month showing a self-driving Acura RLX sedan being evaluated there.