John McDougall's connection with transportation began early in life. As a child, he experienced the original Test Track at EPCOT, where the thrill of the ride sparked a lasting fascination with how vehicles are designed and built. This early inspiration guided him toward a career in automotive design and eventually led him to General Motors. Now, in a full-circle moment, he's helping to redesign the very attraction that first inspired him. As Manager of Product and Mobility on the GM Industrial Design team, McDougall has taken a central role in reimagining Test Track at EPCOT in collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering.
The reimagined Test Track isn't just about building new cars. The project required a multidisciplinary effort from multiple GM departments, including industrial design, product experience, vehicle studios, and Colors, Materials and Finishes (CMF). These teams worked together to shape everything from the vehicles and show scenes to guest interactions throughout the attraction. This collaboration demonstrates how industrial designers at GM aren't just shaping products—they're shaping the way people interact with technology, understand mobility, and connect with the company's future vision.
From Timeline to Tomorrow
The new Test Track begins with a timeline showcasing GM's historical design concepts, but the experience quickly shifts to the future. Guests enter scenes where they're no longer just passengers but active participants in a projected world. Through the use of media, lighting, and storytelling, the attraction becomes a journey through time and a window into what's possible. This transition isn't accidental—it's designed to take guests from a look back at GM's past to a vision of what mobility could become.
McDougall emphasized the importance of making the future feel close and personal. "The future shouldn't feel distant, it should feel personal," he said. This belief is reflected in the attraction's many details. For example, guests can see themselves inside concept vehicles, and the final "Progress City" sequence features a futuristic cityscape where flying cars take off. These moments are designed to engage guests and help them feel like part of the story.
One particularly innovative sequence involves the visualization of LiDAR technology. This moment allows guests to see how a vehicle perceives the world around it. While theatrical, it's also grounded in real-world applications currently being used in GM's vehicles. This blend of education and entertainment shows how the attraction can both entertain and inform.
The "Garage of the Future" sequence is another highlight. It uses the classic "Pepper's Ghost" special effect, paired with projection technology and detailed designs to place guests inside a futuristic vehicle concept. This clever technique makes advanced ideas tangible and relatable, drawing from traditional Disney techniques and modern technology to create a seamless experience.
McDougall hopes that the experience leaves guests with a sense of optimism and inspiration. The ride isn't just about showcasing GM's innovations—it's about inviting guests to see themselves as part of the future. "I hope guests walk away feeling optimistic about the future of mobility and inspired to imagine their own role in shaping it," he said. This vision is central to the attraction's mission.
The reimagined Test Track isn't just a ride—it's a mission. It blends automotive design, storytelling, and technology in a way that doesn't just entertain but also educates and engages. It reflects how General Motors envisions the future of mobility: personal, accessible, and shaped by the people who use it. Through this collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering, GM is not just designing cars. It's designing experiences that connect people with the company's vision and the possibilities of what comes next.