When you're testing a supreme driving machine like a Porsche, you almost need an ultimate track to match.
A Wired report shows the track at Porsche's Nardò Technical Center—which is celebrating its 40th year—to be just that. At 7.8 miles around and 2.5 miles in diameter, the monstrous Italian track cancels out centrifugal force on its 12-degree-banked outer lane...even at the speed of 150 miles per hour.
The track, which was actually constructed by Fiat and purchased by Porsche in 2012, is actually open to all vehicle manufacturers, who are willing to pay to test out their cars via a rigorous gauntlet of conditions. According to Wired, the VW concept W12 drove 4,810 miles in 24 hours with average speeds of 200 mph on the track.
But speed isn't the only thing that can be tested at Porsche's state-of-the-art track. Oh no. With 16 curves, the track can be used to pretty much test anything from overall performance to tire grip/quality and reliability. The massive track is laced with sections of pot holes and cobblestone to test durability, as well as washboarded sections to test overall noise and vibration.
Not thorough enough for you?
The track reportedly even has a "tire laceration road," which simulates "extreme conditions" such as icy spots with rows of steel rolls. Vehicles' resistance to rust and overall corrosion are even tested at Nardo.
Perhaps seeing is believing and what better way to check out the Nardo test track than with the Porsche 911 GT3. We found this Porsche clip from March and it doesn't disappoint.
Before the official roll out of any new Porsche, each vehicle is put through grueling tests on this track. Perhaps all vehicle manufacturers should cough up the cash to test their own cars here. Either that...or they can build their own state-of-the-art track. With the latter option, good luck on constructing something bigger and better than what Porsche has.
