By ATN Editorial Team
Summary: AB Dynamics has introduced the GST™ 120 Plus, the first ADAS target platform capable of the higher speeds required for Euro NCAP’s 2026 protocols, reaching up to 130 km/h. It retains the familiar GST 120 form factor but features upgraded battery capacity, a new high-performance drivetrain and enhanced braking for faster acceleration, greater stability and reduced track length requirements. The Soft Car 360® target has also been strengthened for higher-speed testing.
Key engineering takeaway: A redesigned drivetrain, higher-capacity battery and ABS-equipped braking system enable the GST 120 Plus to deliver precise, repeatable rear-collision test scenarios at up to 130 km/h, the first to meet the new Euro NCAP 2026 high-speed requirements.
Why it matters: Manufacturers can now validate advanced ADAS performance against Euro NCAP’s expanded 2026 test plan safely, achieving higher ratings while reducing test-track constraints through improved acceleration, stability and automation.
Leading automotive test solution supplier AB Dynamics has launched the GST™ 120 Plus, the first and only ADAS target platform able to achieve the higher test speeds required by Euro NCAP’s new 2026 protocols. Capable of reaching 130 km/h, the Plus allows manufacturers to test their vehicles against the highest speed rear-collision scenarios in Euro NCAP’s latest requirements for the first time.
“The upcoming Euro NCAP 2026 protocols represent some of the biggest changes since the ratings scheme was introduced,” said Dr Andrew Pick, Business Director, Track Test Systems at AB Dynamics. “When the GST was first accepted for NCAP testing back in 2018, it was designed and developed around the requirements at the time, but they have since expanded considerably. The industry needs a way to run these new high-speed scenarios, and the new GST 120 Plus is the first to be capable of that.”
What’s New: Drivetrain, Battery and Braking Upgrades
Externally, the Plus is identical to the Euro NCAP-approved GST 120 platform, retaining the same chassis and dimensions. Key upgrades include a 13% increase in battery capacity to support the energy-intensive higher-speed tests and an updated drivetrain using the latest brushless motor technology and optimised gearing.
The GST 120 Plus is the most powerful and fastest target platform on the market. Combined with ABS braking on each wheel for improved stability and shorter stopping distances, its performance minimises the track length required to perform tests, which is a significant constraint on some proving grounds. The platform can reach the standard 80 km/h test speed in under 130 metres.
How the GST Platform Enables Repeatable High-Speed ADAS Testing
The purpose of the GST platform is to enable safe, controlled and repeatable car-to-car tests. The platform carries a foam panel car (the Soft Car 360®) that can be hit at high-speed without causing damage to the test vehicle. The platform houses a control system which can accurately guide the vehicle along a pre-programmed course at a defined speed. The controller uses position feedback from a high-precision, GPS-corrected inertial navigation system. It enables accurate path-following control and precise millisecond synchronisation that is necessary to generate accurate and repeatable crash and close-passing scenarios.
The approved Soft Car 360 target, used with the GST platform to replicate the visual, radar and lidar signature of a passenger vehicle, has also been upgraded for compatibility with the new higher-speed tests. While external dimensions remain unchanged, internal structural enhancements ensure the target maintains its integrity and stability at the increased speeds.
Rather than requiring an onboard PC, the platform now includes AB Dynamics’ Remote RC capability, allowing the GST to be operated directly from a laptop, with all test data stored locally, enabling quick, on-demand analysis and a convenient way to configure tests or review results away from the test track.
Euro NCAP 2026 Protocols: Why 130 km/h Testing Matters
Euro NCAP’s new 2026 test protocols
Euro NCAP’s 2026 update significantly broadens the scope of testing. There are now more than 1,200 different test scenarios. Car-to-car testing, for example, began with straightforward rear-end collision avoidance assessments and has now evolved into offset, crossing-path and extended-capability scenarios that aim to better reflect real-world driving conditions. The latest protocols introduce extended higher-speed rear-end collision scenarios at up to 130 km/h to replicate typical motorway and highway situations, where many common accident types occur.
These extended tests allow Euro NCAP to distinguish between vehicles offering standard ADAS functionality and those capable of more advanced, higher-performing interventions. As a result, manufacturers equipped to run these new scenarios will be better positioned to achieve higher star ratings.
To help OEMs tackle the significant rise in test scenarios, AB Dynamics has developed a comprehensive library of pre-configured test scenarios, enabling the automation of all Euro NCAP ADAS tests. The optional Euro NCAP 2026 ‘special group’ will be pre-installed on the GST 120 Plus, ready for customers to use.
AB Dynamics provides a complete end-to-end solution for Euro NCAP ADAS testing. It offers a comprehensive range of ADAS platforms and targets, including cars, motorcycles, pedestrians and cyclists. The platforms work seamlessly with driving robots to precisely control the speed and direction of the vehicle under test, while Synchro™ software choreographs the vehicle and targets with centimetre-level accuracy.
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