The Nardò ring celebrates its first 50 years, all lived at high speed

ROME - Half a century of innovation and achievements. This is how “Nardò Technical Center”, a testing center owned by the Porsche group and managed by Porsche Engineering, celebrates its 50 years of activity in the heart of Salento. Inaugurated on July 1, 1975, Ntc has become an international point of reference in development and testing for the automotive world, offering testing activities throughout the year, in extremely diversified conditions. The center allows you to experiment with all situations: from high speeds to autonomous driving, through complex handling scenarios and the validation of Adas systems.

With its 700 hectares, 20 tracks and infrastructure, including the iconic high-speed ring and cutting-edge simulation technologies, Ntc continues to develop the mobility of the future.

“We are honored to celebrate this significant anniversary and we feel a great responsibility for what Ntc represents - said Antonio Gratis, managing director Nardò Technical Center - We are proud of its history, of the contribution it has given to the industry and of the many people who, over time, have made it what it is. Ntc is not just a test center: it is a place where technology and vision meet to advance mobility and where the next chapters of innovation are already taking shape”.

Originally conceived by Fiat, the test center became famous for its 12.6-kilometer high-speed loop, a cutting-edge project for its time, still unique in its shape and size. Over time, NTC expanded its capabilities with new tracks and infrastructure, becoming the scene of historic milestones: from speed records to endurance tests that helped define the standards of automotive engineering.

In 2012, with the entry into the Porsche Group, Ntc becomes an integral part of the Porsche Engineering development and testing ecosystem, giving rise to a new phase with significant investments in modernization, infrastructure and digitalization. In 2021, Ntc opens a center dedicated to testing lithium-ion batteries and equips itself with a high-performance charging infrastructure that strengthens its role in testing electric vehicles and in 2023, extends its presence in Southern Italy with the opening of a software division in Lecce.

It should be noted that over the last ten years Ntc has generated an average annual contribution of 20 million euros to the local economy. Through collaborations with universities, ITS and a dual training system, it supports the growth of advanced skills and prepares new generations of professionals in Salento.