History Milestones and Records

1975 – Establishment of the Test Center

The Test Center is established by FIAT Group as the "Society for Automobile Test Tracks Nardò" ("Società Autopiste Sperimentale Nardò") on July 1st, 1975. The first nucleus of the Nardò Technical Center was the ancient Masseria Fattizze (now used as administrative offices), two workshops, a control tower, the Dynamic Platform A and the famous High-Speed Ring.

1980 – Improvement of the Safety Standards

With the installation of the so-called "Anti-Dozing-Bumps" (anti-sleep bumps), safety standards have been raised to a high level since 1980: the bumps make sure that drivers are alerted if they leave the road after momentarily falling asleep. In the following years, the first accident warning system was installed to alert all drivers on the track about dangerous situations.

1999 - Acquisition of the Prototipo Group - Construction of the Emission Room

After 24 years from its foundation, the Prototipo Group acquires the test center: the testing services provider, founded in Piedmont in 1991, expands the offer of testing facilities, adding the Nardò Technical Center among its facilities.

The emissions room allowed an innovative activity of measurement of emissions of petrol and diesel engines, with related measurement of fuel consumption and testing activities on emissions and catalytic efficiency.

2000 – Workshop Area Expansion

In order to meet the needs of the increasing number of customers, four new workshop buildings were built in 2000. The total area for workshops and offices available to customers amounts to around 5000 m².

2002 – Test driving comfort and noise generation  

An important expansion of the Test Centre is the construction of the Special Pavements Track in 2002: six different surfaces are made for optimal testing of vehicle comfort. A further innovation is the construction of the Noise Track with a special surface for the measurement of pass-by noise.

2008 – Opening of the Handling Track  

The 6,222-metre-long Handling Track consists of a single straight and curves with always different width and inclination. The track, inspired by Formula 1 circuits, in its first meaning, named the 16 curves with the ancient names of the Salento territory (Leuca, Castrum, Hydruntum, Apulia, Egnatia, Messapia, Neretum, etc.).

2012 – The Porsche Group acquires the Nardò Technical Center  

The Porsche group acquires the Nardò Technical Center. The Proving Ground in Southern Italy becomes part of Porsche Engineering, the group's subsidiary specializing in engineering services with more than 80 years of experience in the area of development services both for the automotive industry and other sectors. With the integration of the Test Center, Porsche Engineering has thus extended its offer and service portfolio even further.

2015 – 40th Anniversary of the Testing Centre

On the occasion of its 40th anniversary, Nardò Technical Center is more innovative and dynamic than ever: it invests considerably in security infrastructures and construction and renovation projects to continue to fully meet the needs of customers, even in the future.

2017 - Noise Track re-asphalting

The goal of the renovation is to restore the surface layer of the asphalt using high surface texture requirements, for perfect adhesion of the surface surface, while improving the already high safety standards.

2019 – Facilities Renovation: High-Speed Ring and Dynamic Platform A  

The 12.6 km long High-Speed Ring is completely renovated, and an innovative guardrail system is also installed, developed by Porsche Engineering for Nardò specifically for high performance testing. The operation also involved the complete renovation of the Dynamic Platform A, with a new dynamic surface area of 106,000 m2.

2022 – 10 Years with Porsche and 5G Infrastructure

10 years with Porsche - The proving ground, owned by Porsche and operated by Porsche Engineering, celebrates its tenth anniversary of the acquisition by the German sports car manufacturer. Within this time, the NTC has transformed from a proving ground with unique tracks and facilities into an integrated center for the high-performance testing, validation and development of the intelligent and connected vehicles.

5G Infrastructure - Porsche Engineering and Vodafone Business have established Europe’s first 5G hybrid mobile private network (MPN) at Nardò Technical Center for the development of intelligent and connected vehicles.

2023 - Software Division

In June 2023, Nardò Technical Center established a new division focused on software development for intelligent and connected vehicles. With the new division, the proving ground further underlines its positioning as technology partner for the integrated development and validation of future vehicles.

1977 - Niki Lauda tests the six-wheeled Ferrari 312T

The Ferrari 312 T2 that Niki Lauda tests on the circuit on 13th March 1977 is a unique prototype. It aims to improve the aerodynamics of the car and for this reason it is equipped with 6 wheels, mounting 4 front wheels on the rear axle.

1979 - Mercedes-Benz C111 - IV sets the Italian top speed record

The 400 km/h barrier is crossed with a specially built car: the Mercedes-Benz C111- IV reaches a speed of 403.978 km/h.

With this car, Chief Engineer Hans Liebold drove the "flying lap" on the Nardò circuit in 1:57 min.

1980 - Volkswagen ARVW

Over 5 m long, over 360 km/h speed, only 13.6 litres of fuel consumption per 100 km and only one person on board: this is the ARVW (Aerodynamic Research VW) which in October 1980 set six class records and two world records on the Nardò circuit.

1982 - Porsche 928 S and Alfa Romeo

Porsche: On November the 7th 1982, the Porsche 928 S set the speed record in 24 hours, covering 6,033 kilometers at an average speed of 251.4 km/h.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta: 50000 km, 175.628 km/h average. In October 1982, 4 standard production models "Alfasud Sprint fast 1.5", "Alfetta turbodiesel", "Nuova Giulietta 2.0 turbodiesel", "Nuova Giulietta 2.0 turbodiesel" set 18 international speed and durability records, on the Nardò track: 40,000 km equal to the round-the-world distance, with exceptional averages.

1983 - Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16

Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16 was a star of the year 1983: in just 201 hours, 39 minutes and 43 seconds it covered a distance of 50,000 kilometers.

In addition to this result, two other world records were set over a distance of 25,000 kilometers and 9 records in its category. For the vehicle, and especially for the new four-valve engine, this result was an impressive proof of reliability over extreme long distances.

1986 - Elf France 500cc motorcycle prototype

Four drivers took turns for this feat: Hubert Auriol achieved the 10 km stopped at the start on the R, Eric Courly the mile launched on the 500, while Ron Haslam and Christian Le Liard, classics among Elf drivers, collected the other trophies. The most spectacular of these was the launched mile, carried out by Le Liard on the Elf-R at 306.491 - km/h, the top speed recorded on time standing at more than 312 km/h.

1988 - Audi 4: 1000 km average speed 326.403

After introducing their new five valve engines, in 1988 Audi went to Nardo with three prototypes: five cylinder/five valve engines, turbo-charged, 650 HP, 2.9 bar boost, 6500 RPM, four wheel drive, catalytic converter, aluminum roof/doors and kevlar bonnets. Top speed up to 400 km/h. Driver, tires and complete engine oil could be changed in 25 seconds. In the same time refueling of 340 liter unleaded petrol took place. Drivers were mostly German-speaking sportscar racers like Walter Lechner, Olaf Manthey, Sigi Brunn, Hellmut Mundas or Rudi Seher. The team managed to achieve several FIA-approved World Records, including 500 miles - 324.509 km/h, 1000 kilometers - 326.403 km/h.

1993 – Porsche and Honda

Porsche: the 928 GTS beat the 24-hour world speed record that the 928 S had held for eleven years. The new average speed record set in 1993 at Nardò ring was 165 mph/265 km/h. This is an average speed over the 24 hour period that included the frequent pit stops for refueling and also the driver changes.

Honda: the Honda NR 750 cc enters the Guinness Book of Records with its rider Loris Capirossi, as it is the protagonist of several sprint records including those on kilometer (299.825 km/h) and 10 km (at 283.551 km/h) starting from a standing start.

1994 - Violent Violet, Motorrad, Suzuki, Metzeler and Bugatti

"Violent Violet" Electric Motorcycle - Fabio Fazi, Max Biaggi: 164.498 km/h launched kilometer: on the track of Nardò, Max Biaggi sets 5 world records on the Violent Violet, with a weight of 232kg: on the ¼ mile, on the kilometer, on the mile from stationary, in addition to the record on the kilometer and mile launched.

Motorrad, Suzuki, Metzeler-Suzuki RF900R: the Suzuki RF900R was successful in numerous long-distance record attempts thanks to the guidance of real talent and the tires fitted - the Metzeler. The average and speed recorded was impressive: 162 mph per hour and 152 mph for 24 hours.

Bugatti EB110GT: on July 2nd 1994 the Bugatti EB110GT, piloted by Loris Bicocchi, set the speed record for methane powered cars with road homologation, reaching a speed of 344.7 km/h.

1994 - Bertone Z.E.R. and Aprilia

Bertone Z.E.R.: on May 21st 1995, on the track of Nardo', the Bertone ZER (Zero Emission Record) reaches 303.977 km/h. At the wheel Oscar De Vita, a 25 year old engineer. The ZER, 4.2 meters long and weighing 890 kilograms, used an engine with permanent magnets.

Aprilia: the Aprilia 250 cc records the kilometer launched at a speed of 254.021 kilometers per hour.

2000 - Pirelli has set twelve new motorcycle world speed records.

The endeavor was completed in 24 hours, by a team composed of 9 pilots. The records were set in two different record categories using a Suzuki GSXR 750R and a Suzuki Hayabusa.
The Suzuki Hayabusa 1300, in particular, established ten world records, including the launched kilometri record - the all-time best performance over that distance.

2002 - Lamborghini "Murcielago" and Volkswagen W12 Nardò

Lamborghini: on the 12.6 km ring, Lamborghini completes 22 out of 25 laps at an average speed of over 320 km/h, thus setting an international speed record of 1 hour for production cars (Category B), alternative non-turbo four-stroke engine (Group II) for cars with a total displacement of over 6,000 cc (Class 18), covering 305,041 km (189,543 miles). At the wheel of the "Murcielago", Giorgio Sanna, Lamborghini Test & Development test driver.

Volkswagen: on February the 24th, 2002 Volkswagen W12 also known as Volkswagen Nardò set the world record for average speed over 24 hours, covering a distance of 7740.576 km at an average speed of 322.891 km/h. At the wheel, Giorgio Sanna.

2004 - Eliica

In 2004 the Eliica electric concept car, characterized by 8-wheel drive, reached a speed of 370 km/h on the Nardò circuit.

2005 - Koenigsegg CCR

On 28th February 2005 the Koenigsegg CCR, driven by Loris Bicocchi, set the speed record for a production car, reaching 388 km/h.

2008 Mercedes-Benz Truck - Actros III

Measurement test carried out with a 40-tonne truck: "Actros Mercedes-Benz" covers 12,728.94 kilometers with 19.44 liters of diesel fuel. For this record, the "Guinness World Records" observers considered it appropriate to place it in the category "The most fuel efficient 40 ton Truck".

2009 - Pirelli "Angel ST" tire: world record

Using a single set of Angel ST tires mounted on the Suzuki Hayabusa GSX R 1300 2009 model, the distance of 5135.071 kilometers was covered at an average speed of 213.961 km/h in a grueling non-stop endurance test. Comparable to a road lap of 12,000 kilometers at touring speed (80-100 km/h), the test demonstrated excellent consistency of the tire's performance, setting the world record for a 24-hour endurance class FIM A11 (1000cc to 1350cc class).

2019 - Porsche Taycan endurance test

On August 18th, a pre-series model of the electric Porsche Taycan covered the distance of 3.425 km in just 24 hours. The distance is equivalent to a journey from the south of Puglia (southern Italy) to the center of Norway.

2021 – Blizz Primatist

In 2021, the Italian electric prototype Blizz Primatist established seven world records including speed, duration and distance in two different categories. At the wheel of the record-holder its designer and developer, Gianmaria Aghem.

On April 30, he covered the ten-mile, 100-km and 100-mile distances at the highest average speed that electric vehicles weighing up to 500 kg had ever achieved to date. On May 1, three further records followed in the ten-mile,100-km and 100-mile time trials in the 500 to 1,000 kg electric vehicle class.

Aghem passed on the chance to set an eighth record: the one-hour time trial for electric vehicles weighing up to 1,000 kg. That record is still held by the Z.E.R., at 199.881 km.

2023 – Triumph Motorcycle and Blizz Primatist Hybrid

Triumph: on April 30, 2023 motorcyclist Iván Cervantes claimed a Guinness World Records title by covering 4012.53 km in 24 hours on a Tiger 1200 GT Explorer on the High-Speed ring. The distance is equivalent to travelling from London to the Great Pyramid of Giza in just one day.

With an average speed of 167.79 km/h, he broke the existing record for ‘greatest distance on a motorcycle in 24 hours (individual) by over 600km, setting a new benchmark for this challenge.

Blizz Primatist Hybrid: designed and built by an all-Italian team coordinated by entrepreneur and driver Gianmaria Aghem (born in 1947).

From 30 September to 5 October, on the high-speed ring of Nardò Technical Center, the single-seater set 8 world records for speed, duration and distance in category A Group XI (hybrid engine) Class 1 up to 500 kg and Class 2 over 500 kg.