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08 Aug 2012

FIAT Group’s Balocco Facility Celebrates 50th Anniversary

FIAT Group's Balocco Proving Ground Turns 50 in 2012. Opened in 1962, it was one of Europe's first dedicated vehicle test facilities and it now boasts 80km of test tracks for all manner of vehicles.

FIAT Group’s Balocco Facility Celebrates 50th Anniversary

FIAT Group's Balocco Proving Ground in Italy celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. In 1962 work was completed on the 190 hectare vehicle development facility which is located 60 km from Milan amidst the paddy fields of the Vercelli area.

The opening of Balocco made Alfa Romeo one of the first European manufacturers to have bespoke facility for the testing and technical development of its racing and road-going vehicle.

Autodelta, Alfa Romeo's official racing department, was one of the first to use the circuit, which replicates a number of the more famous and difficult corners on the racetracks where Alfa Romeo's competition vehicles did battle in the 60's.

All of Alfa Romeo's street cars, from the Giulia onwards, have also been developed and tested at Balocco, helping to define the distinctive dynamic performance which remains an integral part of Alfa Romeo's Cuore Sportivo DNA to this day.

Since 1962 the Balocco Proving Ground has evolved into a highly sophisticated and advanced testing facility comprising more than 80km of test tracks, on which it is possible to complete almost every type of development test on cars, tractors, trucks, off road and special vehicles. It is now also used for the development of vehicles from each of FIAT Group's brands, including Maserati, Ferrari, Abarth, Chrysler, Jeep and even Fiat Professional.

A special event facility has also been completed within the Balocco Proving Group allowing the Group showcase new vehicles to customers, FIAT employees, dealers and the media.

Note to Editors:
120808_F_Balocco50th_01: 1967 Alfa Tipo 33 Periscopica under development with Autodelta drivers Ignazio Giunti (Sebring 12h and Targa Fiorino winner, later an F1 driver for Ferrari); Spartaco Dini (1969 European Touring Car Champion in an Alfa GTA, later development driver for Ferrari) and Nanni Galli (Sports and Saloon car driver, later F1 driver for Ferrari and Williams).

120808_F_Balocco50th_02: Casey Stoner, 2007 MotoGP World Champion with Fiat-backed Ducati, at Balocco in November 2007 to drive the Alfa Rome 8C Coupé.

120808_F_Balocco50th_03: Balocco viewed from the air.

 

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