Originally Posted by AutoBlog.Com

General Motors and the U.S. Army have officially cut the ribbon opening the automaker's all-new Desert Proving Ground this week. Located just outside Yuma, Arizona, the testing facility is built on 2400 acres of leased government property. In addition to a 3.5-mile circuit track (three lanes) and a 1.4-mile straight track (two-to-three lanes), the proving ground includes a 1,000' x 1,000' dynamics pad, interior noise road, and a garage with 40 hoists. And, that is just a partial list of the niceties at this state-of-the-art complex.

According to GM's Ken Morris, executive director, Vehicle Integration, Proving Grounds and Performance Division:

"This new facility meets several of our important product development needs... We have a longer hot weather testing cycle, we have great partners with the Army and the city of Yuma, and we have a facility that will meet our needs in the years to come,"

No need to mention that the isolation – and restrictions – associated with an active military base that also serves to keep prying eyes and spy photographers from capturing the company's future models, right?. Check out the details in the press release after the jump.