12.04.2012 PORSCHE TAKES OVER THE NARDŌ TEST TRACK

NARDO RING, LECCE, ITALY

Covering an area of more than 700 hectares, the Nardō test ground in the Province of Lecce comprises a 6.2 kilometre long handling circuit, a 12.5 kilometre long oval circuit and facilities for simulating different road surfaces and changeable weather conditions.

Porsche has announced that it has acquired the famous Nardō Technical Center automotive proving ground in Apulia in southern Italy, which was built by Fiat Group three and a half decades ago, from its current owners, Prototipo SpA.

With more than 80 years experience in engineering services, Porsche Engineering Group, the hundred per cent subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, will be further optimising the test facilities and making them available to its clients for testing and trials purposes.

Covering an area of more than 700 hectares, the test ground in the Province of Lecce comprises a 6.2 kilometre long handling circuit, a 12.5 kilometre long oval circuit and facilities for simulating different road surfaces and changeable weather conditions.

"The Nardō proving ground with its high-speed and vehicle handling circuit ideally complements our facilities in Weissach. With the systematic development of the company in Nardō as part of Strategy 2018, Porsche is proving to be a reliable employer and business partner in Apulia as well," said Matthias Müller, President and CEO of Porsche AG.

The unique Nardō 'ring' was built in 1975 by Fiat Group and was originally known as the "Pista di prova di Nardō della Fiat". It's acquisition by Porsche adds up to another foray into Italy by the VW Group which in may 2010 took a 90.1 percent controlling stake in the Turinese Italdesign-Giugiaro design house. It also adds to a VW Group strategy that aims to win over entities in the chain by proposing quite significant future investments in Milan if it is eventually successful in wresting the troubled Alfa Romeo brand out of Fiat Group's grasp.

"With its rich array of facilities, from dynamic surfaces to acoustic and off-road sections coupled with the numerous workshops, our clients can continue to make extensive use of Nardō for their vehicle trials in the future as well," said Malte Radmann, CEO of Porsche Engineering. Thanks to the mild climate, the Nardō proving ground can be used throughout the year in three shifts around the clock, seven days a week.

"Together with the Porsche Development Centre in Weissach near Stuttgart, the Porsche Engineering Group has been offering Porsche's extensive development expertise as a service to its clients from the automotive industry and other sectors worldwide, from renting test rigs to developing complete vehicles," concludes the statement from Porsche announcing the acquisition.
 

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Š 2012 Interfuture Media/Italiaspeed