Honda Reopens Renovated Desert Proving Ground in California

Honda Motor Co. says it has resumed operations at its updated 3,800-acre warm-weather proving ground in the Mojave Desert near Cantil, Calif. Honda Motor Co. says it has resumed operations at its updated 3,800-acre warm-weather proving ground in the Mojave Desert near Cantil, Calif. The $25 million refurbishing project began at the end of 2015.

The updated facility features a new 1.3 million-sq-ft vehicle dynamics area and an updated powersports complex to test motorbikes and all-terrain vehicles. Honda says it recycled and reused existing asphalt on-site to refurbish proving ground roadway.

The complex includes an enhanced 7.5-mile high-speed banked oval that can test cars at speeds above 200 mph, plus a 4.5-mile winding road course that has 28 turns and six hills.

The Cantil facility complements the testing work Honda performs at the Transportation Research Center in East Liberty, Ohio.