If there had to be only two things to remember that the 1970’s did for automotive history, the first would be the death of the muscle car and the second being the rise of the legendary Lancia Stratos. The iconic light weight wedge design with a Ferrari engine molded the definition of rally racing in the 70’s by winning championship titles from 1974-76 and establishing victories in the Monte Carlo Rally between 1975-1977. Forty years later, its back to take another bite in automotive history.
The original Stratos was designed by Marcello Gandini of the famous Italian automotive design house Bertone. If you’re unfamilar with Mr. Gandini’s work, he is without a doubt one of the most significant pioneers to modern supercar design by creating such works as the Lamborhini Miura and Countach. Heck, he practically invented the scissor doors (aka Lambo doors) with the 1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo.
This time around Itatlian design firm Pininfarina is taking the reigns in this commissioned one-off for racecar collector Michael Stoschek and his son Maximillian.
Like it’s predecessor borrowing its soul from Ferrari by using a Dino V6, the new Stratos will be using the same 4.3L V8 engine as in the Ferrari F430 Scuderia as well as its shortened aluminium chassis. The only difference is it’s pumping up the ponies from 508hp to 540hp.
With the addition of carbon fibre body panels and interior along with a few extra tricks, the overall weight loss is about 200lbs over the Scud. So, it’s no surprise that the new design is boasting a 0-62 time of 3.3 seconds.
But the new road car is only the begining. In collaboration with Danisi Engineering, a new Stratos GT2 version is in the works optimizing the aerodynamics with increased cooling, downforce, and a reduced ride height. The pics below are only a 1/8th scale model but they sure do look smoking.
Technical Specifications
Dimensions
| Length | 4181 mm |
| Width | 1971 mm |
| Height | 1240 mm |
| Front track | 1668 mm |
| Rear track | 1701 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2400 mm |
| Front overhang | 968 mm |
| Rear overhang | 813 mm |
Weights
| Dry Weight | 1247 kg |
| Weight distribution | 44% front, 56% rear |
Chassis
| Aluminium profile | Scuderia chassis, 20 cm shortened |
| Welded roll cage | FIA FE45 steel, 40 x 2.5 mm |
Body
| Full carbon fiber body and interior | Visible carbon (Re Fraschini) |
Aerodynamics
| Cw (at 140km/h) | 0.357 |
| A | 2.07 |
| Cw x A | 0.738 |
Engine
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Engine capacity | 4308 cm³ |
| Engine control unit | Bosch, update |
| Exhaust | High-performance system with free-flow manifold and sports catalytic converter (Capristo) |
| Maximum power | 375.4 Kw (540hp) at 8200 rpm |
| Torque | > 500 Nm at 3750 rpm |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 2.3kg/hp |
Gearbox
| 6 speed sequential gearbox with mechanical variable differential (Drexler) | Fast gear changes at less than 60 milliseconds |
| Gear Ratio | 4.3 / 5.0 |
Suspension
| Electronic suspension system CDC® (ZF Sachs) | |
| Spring front | Eibach, 120 N/mm |
| Spring rear | Eibach, 180 N/mm |
| Dampers | Hydraulic aluminium twintube shocks with electronic-controlled proportioning valves |
| Front/Rear axle | Hub SKF with central fixing |
Wheels & Tyres
| Center-lock rims size front | 9J x 19’’ EH2 (Fondmetal) |
| Center-lock rims size rear | 11J x 19’’ EH2 (Fondmetal) |
| Offset front rim | ET 38 |
| Offset rear rim | ET 5 |
| Tyres front | 265 / 30 19’’ (Dunlop Sport Maxx) |
| Tyres rear | 315 / 30 19’’ (Dunlop Sport Maxx) |
Brakes
| Carbon disk front | 398 mm x 36 mm (Brembo) |
| Carbon disk rear | 350 mm x 34 mm (Brembo) |
| Brake caliper front | 6 pot |
| Brake caliper rear | 4 pot |
| Pads | XAS 4499 (Brembo) |
| Brake lines | Steel flex lines |
