Most new cars we feature are the creations from the world’s multibillion dollar automakers and are not very close to the heart. This New Stratos on the other hand is the realized dream of one man who poured his heart, soul, and a ton of his own money into the project. The labour of love involving automotive parts supplier, Michael Stoschek, has taken 24 years to materialize, all starting out from a friendship forged at a Lancia Stratos event held in Alta Badia back in 1986.
Michael, a self-confessed uber fan of the original Stratos, decided to create his own new version of the classic Italian Rally superstar. The outcome of all the hard work and passion, we have to say, is utterly amazing. To prove the passion this part-time racer has for the original, he has even bought the trademark rights for the Stratos name from Lancia – which we can assure you didn’t come cheap.
The resemblance to the original is uncanny, yet everything has been updated and made better, without losing any of the nostalgia and old school appeal. The overall “wedge” shape is still the same and the powerplant is still from Ferrari – albeit louder and more powerful. The New Stratos shares a large amount of its underpinnings with the Ferrari F430 Scuderia – which is a brilliant car. If that’s any indication of how this car will ride, handle, sound, and perform, we are in for an absolute treat of automotive euphoria.
With alcantara bucket seats and six point harnesses, the interior of the New Stratos can never be mistaken for anything other than a supercar. If you still have your doubts, have a look at the special helmet compartments in the doors for both passenger and driver which will certainly put to bed any doubts you may have had. It’s all business - but in a good way. By that we mean it isn’t minimal like say, a Lotus, but has signatures that stir the blood. There are strong inklings of Ferrari throughout, like the steering wheel with integrated shiftlights, center console, and switchgear – but we aren’t complaining. The driver’s view is a thing of beauty and taking center stage is the Ferrari-based dials that have a unique sinister appeal – think F430 meets Knight Rider and you’ll know what we’re talking about. The large rev counter reads optimistically to 10,000RPM, flanked by a speedometer and obligatory gauges
The 4.3L V8 engine, which draws its intake air from the roof spoiler’s side openings, has been equipped with a new intelligent computer and a high-performance exhaust system, with custom headers and sports cat. The 6-speed transmission received a once over that included a new differential, and the modified control electronics allow for extremely fast gear changes at less than 60 milliseconds. New electronic damper calibration, adjustable via the steering wheel, ensures that the ride is soft on dodgy roads and firm when you visit the track.
The 19” center locking wheels expose the carbon-ceramic Brembo braking system, which is comprised of 6-piston calipers at the front, and 4 pots at the rear. Finally, the steering has been converted to an electro-hydraulic setup – something that has been criticized in the past for lessening feedback, and has paddle shifters from the Ferrari 430 GT2 racecar for company. Even the battery hasn’t escaped the dieting – the lithium unit weighs just 4.2kg. Despite the 55kg steel roll cage and the 28kg air conditioning unit – which was a necessary addition, the New Stratos still weighs about 80kg less than the Ferrari. We can expect a 0-60 time of around 3.4 seconds and a top speed of close to 200mph! This will be coupled to the sound of the racing Ferrari V8 which can best be described as a group of Italian tenors being electrocuted. This is automotive nirvana at its absolute finest!
Score-9/10
Av.!!!
Michael, a self-confessed uber fan of the original Stratos, decided to create his own new version of the classic Italian Rally superstar. The outcome of all the hard work and passion, we have to say, is utterly amazing. To prove the passion this part-time racer has for the original, he has even bought the trademark rights for the Stratos name from Lancia – which we can assure you didn’t come cheap.
The resemblance to the original is uncanny, yet everything has been updated and made better, without losing any of the nostalgia and old school appeal. The overall “wedge” shape is still the same and the powerplant is still from Ferrari – albeit louder and more powerful. The New Stratos shares a large amount of its underpinnings with the Ferrari F430 Scuderia – which is a brilliant car. If that’s any indication of how this car will ride, handle, sound, and perform, we are in for an absolute treat of automotive euphoria.
The 19” center locking wheels expose the carbon-ceramic Brembo braking system, which is comprised of 6-piston calipers at the front, and 4 pots at the rear. Finally, the steering has been converted to an electro-hydraulic setup – something that has been criticized in the past for lessening feedback, and has paddle shifters from the Ferrari 430 GT2 racecar for company. Even the battery hasn’t escaped the dieting – the lithium unit weighs just 4.2kg. Despite the 55kg steel roll cage and the 28kg air conditioning unit – which was a necessary addition, the New Stratos still weighs about 80kg less than the Ferrari. We can expect a 0-60 time of around 3.4 seconds and a top speed of close to 200mph! This will be coupled to the sound of the racing Ferrari V8 which can best be described as a group of Italian tenors being electrocuted. This is automotive nirvana at its absolute finest!
Av.!!!
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