Bentley Motors' £12.5m engineering test centre, which has safeguarded 100 jobs, has officially started operations after receiving its final approval.
The luxury car-making giant's development at its Crewe headquarters has secured the backing of Britain’s Vehicle Certification Agency.
The company said move is a "major stepping stone" in meeting the standards set by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the achievement will allow Bentley to carry out in-house emissions, fuel economy and electric range testing "to the highest global standards".
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In a statement, the business said: "The independent authority certification represents another major step forward in the company’s drive towards electrification, a key pillar in Bentley’s Beyond100 strategy to become the world’s most sustainable, luxury automotive manufacturer.
"Crucially, the £12.5m centre will allow Bentley to carry out the latest WLTP fuel consumption and efficiency test procedures more swiftly in-house."
The two-storey building covers 4,600 sq m and was completed on schedule.
Testing will begin immediately, building up operations to meet all global emission standards by the middle of 2022.
The new structure includes 773 sq m of office space, as well as 1,550 sq m created for the installation of a climate-controlled chassis dynamometer.
Board member Matthias Rabe said: "Today’s announcement is another key landmark in Bentley’s ongoing modernisation programme. It will give us the independence to test our own engines and further enhance our industry-leading manufacturing plant in Crewe, as we move towards offering electric or hybrid versions of all our models by 2024.
"The centre will also allow Bentley to meet increased demand from customers for our luxury, hand-built vehicles, including the performance-orientated Flying Spur, the Continental GT and new Bentayga."
