Friday, 9 February 2018 ()
Manifattura Automobili Torino will build up to 25 examples of Pininfarina-designed homage to 1970s legend; will be displayed at Geneva motor show
The New Lancia Stratos will be put into limited production by Manifattura Automobili Torino (MAT), the bespoke sports car builder has announced. The 550bhp reborn Stratos will be displayed at the Geneva motor show.
The model, a homage to Lancia's legendary sports and rally car, of which 492 examples were built between 1973 and 1978, was first unveiled in concept form in 2010.
Three versions of the car will be made - a GT racer, a Safari version and what the brand calls 'a comptetent supercar for the daily use'. The second of these is likely a rally-inspired version - another throwback to the car's motorsport heritage.
It was commisioned by billionaire German entrepreneur Michael Stoschek, chairman of car parts supplier Brose and a rallying enthusiast. The design was penned by Pininfarina, whereas the original Stratos was the work of Bertone.
*We drove the New Stratos at its unveiling in 2010 - read what we thought here*
The mid-engined design features the wedge profile, semicircular windscreen, side tanks, removable front and rear servicing hoods and engine-access hatch of the original.
The original concept was based on a cut-down aluminium spaceframe structure from a Ferrari 430 Scuderia and used that car's drivetrain. However, in 2011, Ferrari blocked Pininfarina and "any other Ferrari-dependent suppliers" from putting the New Stratos into production, prompting the car's designers to look elsewhere for a base.
MAT's announcement doesn't state any technical details of the production New Stratos, but it does say that it has obtained from Stoschek "permission to replicate the New Stratos using the same design and technologies of his car".
The new car has similar dimensions to 3710mm-long original Stratos, with a similarly short wheelbase, and is claimed to have a "lightweight design"; the concept had a kerbweight of 1274kg.
The only detail revealed about the mechanicals thus far is that the engine produces 542bhp, while pictures show the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles of an automatic gearbox. The concept's Ferrari-sourced 4.3-litre V8 produced 532bhp.
The New Stratos's stripped-back interior mirrors many features of the original's, including an integrated roll cage and door compartments for driver and passenger helmets.
Stoschek said: “I am delighted that other passionate car enthusiasts will be able to experience how the successor to the most fascinating rally car of the 1970s still sets the bar for design and performance”.
No price for the New Stratos has been revealed, although a price of around £600,000 was mooted when Autocar first reported on the concept. Customers will have "a choice of different options and variations".
MAT's portfolio includes the Apollo Arrow and Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus SCG003S. The company, which designs, engineers and builds one-off and limited production luxury and racing models, is headed up by its founder, Paolo Garella, who previously worked for Pininfarina and has been involved with more than 50 bespoke car projects over the past 30 years.
*Read more*
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