Wednesday 11th August 2010

Update: New Stratos Could Be Set For Limited Run

Mysterious new-era Lancia may be headed for production

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The mysterious 'New Lancia Stratos'- images of which we published in fuzzy-photo form last week - may be more than just a one-off, at least if the latest flurry of rumours from the US is to be believed.

US mag Car and Driver is suggesting that, far from a one-off, the Stratos is headed for limited series production, Alfa Romeo 8C style, and that the anonymous financier is in fact helping to back the whole shebang.

C and D's sleuths have also decided that the car is the work of Jason Castriota, whose credits include a hand in the design of the Ferrari 599 and Maserati GranTurismo, the Ferrari P4/5 one-off, and the Bertone Mantide.

Before becoming ensconced in his new design role at Saab, Castriota worked first at Pininfarina, then Bertone. The logical extension of this is that the project was begun at Pininfarina, and completed at Bertone.

The Pininfarina bit seems to be borne out by this latest pic - which appears to have been taken on the roof of the firm's building in Turin - although we can't prove the rest of the story.

As for concrete news on the engine or chassis - there is none, but a mid-engined Ferrari-based platform and flat-crank V8 are still hot favourite.

[Oddball RS]

Lets be honest this is what the 8C should have been from day one, just make sure this one handles!

[The Hypno-Toad]

If it really is going to look like that, I think I've just found my new lottery car.

Want one.

[aeropilot]

Yum..... if true.

[teen_cerbera]

The front end looks all wrong:

"we cant copy the front of the 599 u worked on!"

"sure we can, just square it up a bit!"

[Furyblade_Lee]

I need some tissues

[snotrag]

Dear God.

Please let the Italians make this.

Thanks.

[Furyblade_Lee]

I need some tissues

[Risotto]

I'm not really a fan of these updated versions of past models but it certainly looks better than the one that was at the shows a few years back:

Edited by Risotto on Wednesday 11th August 11:39

[leon9191]

"Dear Jim can you fix it for so that Lancia make the new stratos and it looks like the silver car above. Not the green one cause thats horrible".

"Oh and can I have one".

[Spinitboy]

First impressions?? errrm.. ugly front end.... definately not my cup of tea!

Looks like something from the 80's

Edited by Spinitboy on Wednesday 11th August 11:45

[SmartVenom]

Wow, I really hope they make this. I know I won't be able to afford it, but I still want to be able to dream about it! It's just not the same lusting after a mock up!

[Northern-Loop]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quPkO5OarzU

I was lucky enough to hear one in Portugal a couple of months ago! WOW

[chunkymonkey71]

I want that. I mean, I REALLY want that.

[Fittster]

Not much original thinking going on with that design.

[Harry Flashman]

That is awesome.

It looks like a starfighter from the far future. Brilliant.

Want.

[robsco]

This really does look beautiful. It could sit along side my 8C and 33 Stradale in the lottery garage with pride

[Justayellowbadge]

It'll do, if you like that sort of thing.

[Hunttheshunt]

Don't wrap it.....

[Essex Exile]

Oh yeah, that front end's ugly. In much the same way Kate Beckinsale's front end is ugly!
NURSE!!!!!!!

[Streetrod]

According to this weeks Autocar the one seen testing is a one off that has built for a car enthusiast industrialist and is based on a shorterned 430 Scuderia. So at the moment no real plans are in place to build them for other customers