The Lancia Stratos, one of the world’s most iconic sportscars, thanks to its rallying success in the 1970s, returns in an all-new modern version. A purpose-built rally car, the original Stratos took multiple world titles, including three consecutive championships from 1974 to 1976. Power was provided by Ferrari’s V6 from the Dino. Marcello Gandini’s wedge-shaped design remains stunning to this day. In 1979, the Fiat group cut Lancia’s racing budget in favor of its own 131 Abarth, and spelled the beginning of the end of the Stratos’ racing career.
Enter Michael Stoschek, a car collector and vintage-car racer. Just as importantly, he owns the Brose Group, a large automotive supplier. In 2008, Stoscheck and son Maximilian commissioned Pininfarina to build a one-off New Stratos. The car took two years to build at Pininfarina’s Turin factory.
The New Stratos follows the wedge-shaped, wide profile of the original. Its lines are purposeful and brutal, if not exactly pretty.
Following the history of the original, the new Stratos uses Ferrari’s 4.3 liter V8, as used in the F430. The chassis is also from the F430 Scuderia, shortened by 200mm. The body panels are carbon fiber, resulting in a curb weight of about 1250kg. No less than Ferrari president Luca di Montezomolo took the Stratos onto the track and gave it his approval.
With 540bhp and more than 500Nm on tap, the projected 0-100 km/h time is 3.3 seconds, with a 297 km/h top speed.
The Stratos is a one-off vehicle, but a limited production run is rumored to be in the works. There are reportedly one or two classic Stratos in the Philippines. If a new version is produced, expect to see a similar one or two make their way here.
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