Update: And that’s when it all went horribly wrong

It’s summer in Europe, so winter testing of prototypes is in full swing at the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds (SHPG). Only they’re not always testing on snow and ice at the SHPG. Occasionally they are also spotted on road and sometimes snapped by the car loving public. And evidently things didn’t go so well during on-road testing for what would seem to be an AMG model. 

A convoy of three vehicles was involved in a road traffic collision over the Crown Range recently, the New Zealand Herald reports. Evidently, according to a witness, one of the testers crossed the centre line. They said it collided with a Subaru heading in the opposite direction. This is an unforgiving piece of road, especially in winter. Whether or not anyone was injured is unclear.

Those associated with the test vehicles were quick to cover the prototypes, one of which appeared to have sustained front end damage. A bent hood is clearly evident in the image. It’s not the best way to test passive safety devices.

This is the busiest time of year for the SHPG, with major car brands testing new vehicles in low-grip snow and ice conditions. The car involved in testing closely resembles a large fully electric four-door coupe (previewed here) that is set to rival Taycan. It is due for release next year. Hopefully the incident didn’t set things back for too long.

Addendum (1 July 2025): The courts report that the “concept sports vehicle” was driven at three times the recommended speed (15km/h) by a 30-year-old German development engineer. He lost control on a tight corner in wet conditions and hit an oncoming vehicle.

The driver appeared in Queenstown District Court yesterday, admitted a charge of careless driving causing injury to three people. He was ordered to pay almost $2400 in reparations, and was disqualified from driving for six months.

Evidently the car was not being tested at the time of the incident (9.20am), according to the defendant’s lawyer.

The driver apparently failed to brake sufficiently for the switchback corner, crossing the centre line, and hitting the oncoming Subaru in the driver’s side door area. It forced the vehicle against the wooden railing, pinning the doors closed. The occupants had to climb out through the car windows. All three sustained mild to moderate injuries, including bruising, sprains and, in one case, chipped teeth.

The defendant’s lawyer said the driver involved was “incredibly remorseful” and had been in communication with the victims to ascertain their wellbeing thereafter. He had never been before the courts previously.

The judge convicted the driver and ordered him to pay reparation for vehicle insurance fees, medical assessments and treatments including X-rays, dental fillings and physiotherapy, and a fee for emotional harm reparation. The full amount was to be paid before he left New Zealand.