The automotive industry was taken by surprise a few months ago when it was revealed that German businessman, Michael Stoschek, commissioned Pininfarina to build an one-off successor to the legendary Lancia Stratos HF, based on the Ferrari F430 Scuderia. Now, new technical data emerged about this very special model.
Like its predecessor, which was built around the Ferrari Dino V6, the new Stratos also uses Ferrari DNA. While few donor cars are better than the F430 Scuderia, engineers behind this project heavily modified and even customized all of its components.
Work started on the chassis, which was shortened by 20 cm (about 8 inches) and fitted with an FIA-certified roll cage. Thus, the structural rigidity was greatly increased and engineers also shifted the center of gravity towards the front of the car, improving handling characteristics.
Despite the added weight of the 55 kg (121 lbs) cage and 28 kg (62 lbs) air conditioning unit, the builder"s say the New Stratos is actually 80 kg (176 lbs) lighter than the donor car.
Next up were the dampers, which come with electronic calibration, adjustable from the steering wheel like in many professional racing cars. The springs were modified too, as specialists worked out the optimum camber and toe values.
The new Stratos rides on 19-inch wheels, shod in Dunlop Sport Maxx tires (265/30 front, 315/30 back), and uses high performance Brembo ceramic brakes. There are no detailed technical specifications on the engine yet, but the 4.3-liter V8 has received a new control unit and exhaust system, so peak power is likely to be higher than the stock F430 Scuderia"s 510HP.
The interior is entirely built using aluminum and carbon fiber, with the racecar-sourced steering wheel taking center stage. It has paddle shifters attached to it, which control the 6-speed transmission capable of shifting gears in less than 60 milliseconds.
The new Stratos will be thoroughly tested in the coming weeks. We"ll be back with updates, as the project goes on.
By Csaba Daradics
