Located in Southern Italy, the Nardò Technical Center, owned by Porsche and operated by Porsche Engineering, celebrates its 50th anniversary today. Originally opened on July 1, 1975, NTC has consistently set the benchmark in vehicle testing and development of the automotive industry worldwide.
20 test tracks and more
Today, NTC offers year-round testing services under a wide range of conditions, including high-speed endurance and complex handling scenarios as well as ADAS validation and autonomous driving testing. These capabilities ensure the development of high-performance, intelligent, connected, and safe vehicles. Its 1700+ acre site today features 20 test tracks and facilities, including the iconic high-speed ring, a 6.2-kilometer handling course, and state-of-the-art simulation technologies.
Antonio Gratis, Managing Director of NTC
“We are honored to celebrate this special anniversary and feel a deep sense of responsibility for what NTC represents,” says Antonio Gratis. “We are proud of its history, of its contribution to the industry and of the many people who shaped it over time,” adds Gratis. “This is not just a test center – it’s a place where technology and purpose come together to move mobility forward and where the next chapters of innovation are already being written.”
Built by Fiat
Initially established by Fiat, the proving ground quickly earned a reputation for its groundbreaking 12.6-kilometer circular high-speed ring track — a revolutionary concept at that time and still unique in its shape and dimension. Over the decades, NTC has enhanced its testing capabilities with additional tracks and facilities, serving as a pivotal proving ground for diverse testing requirements and the venue of numerous historic milestones, including multiple speed records and endurance tests that have shaped automotive engineering standards worldwide.
Porsche acquisition
Acquired by the Porsche Group in 2012, NTC became a core part of the comprehensive development and validation ecosystem of Porsche Engineering, an international engineering services provider for global B2B customers. The integration into Porsche Engineering’s global network marked a new chapter, driving significant investments in modernization, infrastructure, and digitalization. It also extended capabilities across the entire vehicle development process – including seamless, real and virtual development workflows. This solidified NTC’s vital role as a leading technology partner for next-generation mobility by addressing the evolving demands of the global automotive industry.
Battery testing
In 2021, NTC transformed a former facility into a cutting-edge lithium-ion battery testing center. With the installation of a robust charging infrastructure, NTC has become a key partner for electric vehicle testing. In 2023, NTC expanded its technological footprint and expertise in Southern Italy by establishing a dedicated software unit in the nearby city of Lecce. This addition enhanced NTC’s capabilities in software development, simulation, and digital innovation, while closely connecting it to the on-site validation solutions at the proving ground, including a 5G hybrid mobile private network.
Beyond its technological impact, NTC plays a crucial role in Southern Italy’s economy and serves as a local innovation hub. Over the last decade, it contributed an average of 20 million euros per year to the local economy. Through strong partnerships with local universities and technical schools (ITS), as well as a dual education system, NTC actively fosters high-level talent and develops future-ready skills in the Salento region.
About NTC
Nardò Technical Center (NTC) is a vehicle testing and development facility located in Apulia, Southern Italy. It provides 20 state-of-the-art test tracks and facilities across 700 hectares, including a 12.6-kilometer high-speed ring that enables extreme-condition testing for automotive manufacturers and suppliers worldwide. Activities range from physical vehicle testing to simulation, software development, and digital innovation, supported by a dedicated software unit based in Lecce. Founded in 1975, NTC has been owned by Porsche and operated by Porsche Engineering since 2012 and currently employs over 200 professionals. It collaborates with more than 90 automotive companies globally and has hosted some of the most advanced testing and development programs in the industry. From high-speed trials to cutting-edge simulations, NTC continues to play a key role in shaping the future of connected, intelligent, and safe mobility.
About Porsche Engineering
Porsche Engineering Group GmbH is an international technology partner to the automotive industry. The subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG is developing and integrating technological solutions for its B2B customers within and beyond automotive industries – including systems, hardware, functions and software. Some 2,000 conceptual experts, engineers and software architects and developers are dedicated to the latest technologies, for example in the fields of highly automated driving functions, e-mobility and high-voltage systems, connectivity and artificial intelligence. Their aim is to carry the tradition of Ferdinand Porsche’s design office, founded in 1931, into the future and develop and integrate innovative solutions for the top tech challenges of their industry customers. In doing so, they combine in-depth vehicle and system expertise with digital and software expertise.
Above content © 2025 Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG reviewed and edited by Rex McAfee
