New Stratos is real, headed for production!

[SubGothius]

...and nope, not the Fenomenon NewStratos, either; we're talking actual, limited production by Lancia itself, here:

http://jalopnik.com/5609510/the-lancia-stratos-is-real-and-its-headed-for-production
http://blog.caranddriver.com/lancia-stratos-revival-new-photo-lots-of-confirmed-info-links-to-pininfarina-and-bertone/

More photos/renderings here:
http://www.fiatblog.nl/?p=7893

[DJ]

...when I see it.

[1,6 HF]

...when I see it.

and maybe not even then...

[FORZALANCIA]

Put me down for 2 :)

[davidb]

Pictures of the silver one sure look real. Check out those front
rotors! The re-design is faithful to the original, nicely updated.
Hopefully some will be made. Those sure aren't 5 MPH bumpers
so if any ever see these shores it'll be some ubber rich collector
who can skirt EPA, DOT [NHTSA] gummit regulations. We'll see.

[SubGothius]

I noticed they even fitted it with a modernized version of the classic "coffin-spoke" wheel design. 8)

[1,6 HF]

Pictures of the silver one sure look real. ...

I'm not saying the prototype isn't real; I'm just saying that I'm not holding my breath about it getting into even limited production. I'd absolutely love to see it happen, but we've all been here before. I'm still waiting for the Nuova Fulvia...

[Tony K]

It makes perfect sense to me. They made a new limited-production, uber-expensive halo car for Alfa to boost their image (8C); why wouldn't they do that for Lancia?

There is discussion on FerrariChat about the Stratos. Not certain whether it is for limited production (i.e. in the hundreds), or just for one or a few people, like the P4/5 . . .

[1,6 HF]

Hope you're right.

[Tony K]

More photos: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/lancia-/new-lancia-stratos---exclusive-pics/251759/pictures/new-lancia-stratos---exclusive-pics.aspx

And info: http://www.italiaspeed.com/

2926

http://www.lancisti.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2926

[FORZALANCIA]

First dibs :P

[PG1964]

I think the fact is: is this another "Operation Nostalgia"?
Who needs another coupè with the usual Ferrari/Maserati V8 engine, the usual eletronical servo-gear, the usual luxury leather upholstery, the usual carbon-fiber aileron?
We need a strong brand with a wide range of interesting models, not this commercials for 500 lucky people only. IMHO.

[ncundy]

Totally agree; it's like seeing your favourite relation get out of the wheelchair and dance for one last time. You know they will get back in the wheelchair and that'll be that.

I hope it is some indulgence of a wealthy industrialist rather than a corporate project from Lancia. If so I'm impressed; if it is a Lancia then it'll be as much use and relevance as the 8C is to Alfa Romeo and I'm afraid I'll be unimpressed.

[LanciaDave]

I heard it was just that. A one-off by a private wealthy individual, based on shortened Ferrari F430 with Pininfarina help (rather than Bertone). Also heard there is talk of a possible limited run.... but more like 25 total, not even 500 units. I hope Lancia does pick it up for a wider model in a more 'affordable' range like 60 to 125K, and have US distribution. I would so love to have that car! Looks great!

Dave

[1,6 HF]

Neil gets his wish. From the "New Stratos" web site:

"Michael Stoschek is a collector and driver of historic racing cars as well as a successful entrepreneur in the automotive supply industry. For Stoschek, the development and construction of a modern version of the Stratos represents the fulfillment of a long-held dream.

"Construction of the car has been underway since autumn 2008, at Pininfarina in Turin, Italy. The contemporary New Stratos is a non-commercial project by Michael Stoschek. Together with his son, Maximilian, Stoschek has played a fundamental role in determining the technical concept and design of the one-off vehicle." [emphasis mine]

Here's the site: http://www.new-stratos.com/

Of course, this doesn't mean that Lancia couldn't decide to acquire the rights to the new design and put it into limited production. But it seems likely that the name "Stratos" is being used with Lancia's permission, so there may be some more or less formal relationship between Lancia and Stoschek. However, production by Lancia is not what's happening at this point.

[Geoff]

How anyone got permission from Lancia to use the name bewilders me. The relationship of Lancia to its history is rather strained - as the collection of cars is in storage at present. So I'd vote with Ed about maybe there is some corporate interest in probing level of attention this gets.... else, its hard to see how they'd go along with this.

[ncundy]

Ed,
I sit relieved and impressed :)

I don't think Lancia own the rights to the Stratos' name. I'm pretty sure that Chris Hrabalek (the chap who created the Fenomenon Stratos') acquired the rights some time ago.

I guess they have taken some inspiration from the guy who commissioned the Alfa TZ3, who I think was from Germany.

Neil

[1,6 HF]

Neil,

If you're right about the rights to the Stratos name, then I'm as bewlidered as Geoff. It's nothing against Hrabalek, who seemed like a very nice fellow when I spoke to him at Pebble Beach in 2008, where he'd brought the day-glo orange Stratos prototype. But, like Geoff, I think it speaks volumes about Lancia's conservatorship (or lack thereof) of its own history.

The latest Racingdeal newsletter http://www.racingdeal.com/Newsletter/Default.aspx suggests that there may be a limited production run, but with no intimation of official involvement by Lancia:

"It's not yet decided if this car will be a one-off (there is currently only one in existence) or if a small production run of 25 units will be completed. We supposed that would depend on demand for the car."
I suppose that price might enter into the equation...

[FORZALANCIA]

Group buy? :P

[Rick]

Tony K had the comprehensive story in post #10 FWIW
http://www.italiaspeed.com/

To:Forzalancia --"put me down for two" Try this on for size http://www.hawkcars.co.uk/hf3000/index.html