In 1956, Mercedes-Benz Constructed Its Renowned “Death Curve” Test Track for Evaluating New Vehicles

In 1956, Mercedes-Benz was actively developing and testing vehicles at its Untertürkheim plant in Stuttgart. While the iconic 90-degree banked curve (often called the “death curve”) was largely developed and revealed in its extended form in 1967, the first phase of the test tracks at Untertürkheim was completed and went into operation around the turn of 1957, with the planning application submitted in January 1955 and the board giving the green light in July 1956.

This initial phase in 1956 already included a “skid pad” with concentric circles of different road surfaces (like blue basalt, concrete, slippery asphalt, and cobblestones) and an integrated sprinkler system for wet-surface testing. While it was a significant step forward, engineers soon realized they needed more extensive facilities for high-speed, endurance, and rough-road testing, leading to the later expansions.

Therefore, in 1956, the Mercedes-Benz test track in Stuttgart would have been referred to as the Daimler-Einfahrbahn at the Untertürkheim plant, or simply the test track within the Untertürkheim factory premises.

While much of the original track is no longer in active use, some sections remain. The Untertürkheim site continues to serve as a technical center for Mercedes-Benz vehicle development.