New Test Track at EPCOT to Be Presented by General Motors, Expanding Beyond Chevrolet Branding

Dec 04, 2024 in "Test Track"

Gallery / 5 Photos
New Test Track concept art

Posted: Wednesday December 4, 2024 11:26am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has revealed that the reimagined Test Track at EPCOT will now be presented by General Motors (GM), signaling a shift from the lastiteration, Test Track 2.0, which has been exclusively sponsored by Chevrolet.

This new sponsorship represents a return to a broader collaboration with GM, harking back to the attraction's origins in EPCOT's World of Motion, which was also sponsored by GM.

New Test Track concept art

A Nod to EPCOT's Automotive Legacy

World of Motion, one of EPCOT's original attractions when the park opened in 1982, was a lighthearted and educational journey through the history of transportation, from early human-powered inventions to the modern automobile. General Motors sponsored the attraction, which set the stage for its successor, Test Track, debuting in 1999. Now, GM's sponsorship of the next generation of Test Track pays homage to that legacy while looking ahead to the future of mobility.

The updated Test Track will celebrate more than a century of innovation, focusing on how transportation connects us and shapes the way we live. Moving beyond Chevrolet branding, the attraction will now highlight the contributions of GM's entire portfolio, including advancements in technology, sustainability, and design across its brands.

Founded in 1908 and headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, General Motors has maintained a strong presence in the automotive industry through its lineup of brands:

Chevrolet: Known for versatile vehicles like the Silverado truck and Bolt EV.
GMC: Specializing in premium trucks and SUVs, including the Sierra Denali and Hummer EV.
Cadillac: GM's flagship luxury brand, featuring EVs like the Lyriq and Celestiq.
Buick: Focused on SUVs that combine practicality with innovation.
BrightDrop: GM's electric solutions brand, dedicated to commercial delivery vehicles.
Cruise: GM's autonomous vehicle division, advancing self-driving technology.

What to Expect from the Reimagined Test Track

Guests visiting the reimagined attraction will first encounter six exhibits in the queue, each highlighting innovations and the people driving them forward. Once aboard, the updated experience will explore GM's influence on customization, onboard technology, and sustainable solutions, culminating in a scenic outdoor route that recaptures the pure joy of driving.

The reimagined Test Track is set to open in late Summer 2025, promising a fresh experience that honors the past while driving into the future. Stay tuned for updates as construction progresses and Disney and GM prepare to unveil the next chapter in EPCOT's automotive pavilion.

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DreamfinderGuy3 hours ago

It wouldn’t surprise me. They had far less of a purpose in 2.0 than they did in 1.0, it wouldn’t take much to justify ripping them out for 3.0

ToTBellHop6 hours ago

If so, let’s hope they are clever with climate control. I feel like much of the ride is hot in the summer. It’s not as much a problem at unload because of the steep decline after the high-speed loops. Separately, I’d love a John Michael Higgins cameo on 3.0!

Bill Cipher11 hours ago

This isn't confirmed or anything but my dark horse speculation is they might get rid of the barricade walls on the power test. As I'm sure you know they were very hit-or-miss in 2.0's later years and internally there seems to be a strong directive on keeping the ride envelope of attractions completely unobstructed.

Jayspency18 hours ago

"New show scenes will be added showcasing technological advances and how our lifestyles and relationships to mobility connect everyone. Enjoy a joy ride through scenes focusing on onboard technology, customization and personalization. Followed by a trip through a scenic outdoor route reminding us all of the joys of driving, taking in the world around us and spending quality time with friends and family." Based on what they said after the D23 announcement, something about the future of transportation. Maybe the speed capabilities of future cars?

DreamfinderGuy23 hours ago

Unrelated to the topic at hand, but with TT 3.0 seemingly leaning into a nostalgic aspect with the WoM nods and "reminding guests of the joy of traveling", I've been wondering how they're gonna reframe the barrier/power test. Since that's right after a scene we already have concept art of with the trees and everything, I'm curious if perhaps it's going to be positioned as taking the path less traveled/finding a new road or something like that. Plenty of room back where the car crashed into the barrier was in TT 1.0 that never got reused with 2.0, you could fit a fun set in there of taking a spontaneous turn to see where a random road leads. Just spitballing of course. We know so little that it's only natural people start making up their own ideas of what it'll be.

britain1 day ago

That wouldn’t have stopped Paul “auctioneer, ghost host, inner space explorer” Frees.

Moth1 day ago

Morgan Freeman and uh .... Robert Pattinson? Would that work? Pattinson doesn't have a recognizable voice but people go crazy for the name!

The Leader of the Club1 day ago

Patton Oswalt already has an EPCOT attraction.

muddyrivers1 day ago

I'm not sure if you need to have a newscaster/voice of authority person as a narrator. There's recognizable voices still out there that could do ride narration and probably would be good. Off the top of my head I think of Ryan Seacrest, Patton Oswalt, I mean you could even have Will Ferrell do Ron Burgundy to get the same effect as Gary Owens.

JoeCamel1 day ago

Yes, with so many talking heads today not many voices standout. When there were three networks they had more eyeballs/ears and a schedule so we all tuned into the 6pm news or the 8pm must see tv but today a 5 minute clip is a long form program. Some of the screen actors fill the bill but even those (RIP JEJ) are fading

DreamfinderGuy1 day ago

EPCOT needs more friendly faces (er, voices) that the public will recognize. Kinda crazy to think that Walter Cronkite and Gary Owens were both attraction hosts in the park at the same time. And kinda sad that I can’t think of any modern equivalents because of how much the media landscape has changed.

pelham3041 day ago

I loved Gary Owens

TheCoasterNerd3 days ago

I'm simply surprised. If nothing else, I would expect they would attempt to cover the fence with a test track promotional sign or something. I didn't know that about course lengths, that does explain it a bit. I'm just a bit surprised knowing how WDW management works. Thanks for an explanation.