| | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 Lancia Stratos
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. UPDATE 02/14/2011: The 2010 One-Off Lancia Stratos may not be a one-off for very much longer. So far 40 potential buyers in Europe and other regions have expressed in interest in purchasing the Ferrari-based model, and plenty more are expected to climb on the bandwagon. If a small series is produced, rumors suggest that each unit will cost about €400,000, or around $545,000 at the current exchange rates. Something tells us that Michael Stoschek - the owner of the one and only 2010 Lancia Stratos so far - may not be too happy with his exclusive ride getting cloned, even if it is only for about 40 other people. UPDATE 05/10/2011: Michael Stoschek took his brand new Lancia Stratos for a spin on the race track. Hit the jump for the video. UPDATE 06/27/11: Michael Stoschek had the New Lancia Stratos built for only one reason: racing. In the latest video, Stoschek rides his brand new ride with Dieter Hawranke as he blasts off along the streets of Zwickau during the Sachsen Rallye 2011. Check out the video after the jump to see the New Stratos run rampant on concrete! Hit the jump to continue reading. 2011 Geneva Motor Show Preview
 
The biggest international auto show of the 2011 calendar year is getting closer and closer to opening its doors when the event kicks off on March 1st, 2011. Unlike recently concluded auto shows we’ve had since the calendar turned to 2011, the Geneva Motor Show is always the one that gets our juices flowing. Not that those other events weren’t any good, but Geneva brings out all the goods. All the big boys come out to play at this event, so much so that making this preview took more days than we expected because everyday, a new model was being announced as attending the event. Now that the Geneva Motor Show is less than two weeks away, we feel like it’s time to give you a sneak peek on what cars to expect at the event. A lot of brands that routinely skip other auto shows will all be in attendance at the Geneva Motor Show, proving that without a shadow of a doubt, this Swiss spectacle is one of the most important - if not the most important - events in the automotive calendar. Hit the jump to check out just who will be in attendance when the show opens its doors on March 1st, 2011. Full story 2011 Lancia Ypsilon
It seems a little strange that it’s almost been eight years since a new Ypsilon rolled its way out of Lancia’s power plants. Apparently, though, it’s true. Strange as it sounds, over the 25 years that it’s been around, the Ypsilon has only spawned three generations with the fourth and newest one scheduled to make its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The new Lancia Ypsilon is completely different because it was built from the ground up and comes with much more aesthetic options to fit into the ’supermini’ segment that it hopes to get into. That means that you can expect nothing but surprises with Lancia’s new ride, including a five-door option for the model that’s never been done before in the Ypsilon’s 25-year, three-generation lifespan. Whatever the case may be, you can expect good things for Lancia and the fourth-generation Ypsilon, a car whose debut certainly was a long time in the making. Details on the Lancia Ypsilon after the jump, including the just-announced list of prices for the car. Full story2011 Lancia Flavia
The Chrysler 200 was nipped, pulled, and tweaked into something that Chrysler hopes will revive the model in the US market’s eyes, and now it’s going to get a different badge slapped on its backside for its European counterpart. Lancia is about to unveil the Flavia concept, a preview version of the European 200 that will be launched in about six months. The Lancia Flavia Concept is characterized by clean surfaces and elegant lines, as well as a distinctive new grille with the original front headlights and fog lights. Adding to the stylish exterior are LED tail lights and a third brake light, both with LED technology. The concept will be presented in both coupe and convertible versions, with the convertible featuring a refined soft top with electric control. The interior of the 200 wannabe will feature fine leather, electronic stability control (ESC), numerous airbags (multi-stage front, side and window bags), and electronic traction control. The steering wheel will get integrated controls to operate the radio, cruise control, and mobile phone, allowing for a safe and comfortable drive. 1974 Lancia Stratos
The seventies brought us things like bell bottom jeans, the Village People, and of course, a slimy-haired John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. In the car world, it was a time where muscle cars were well and truly in their element. Whilst Detroit was reveling, there was also a revolution going on, but one that would blow the lid off car design norms. It was all happening in the house of Bertone and the car in question was poised to re-write history in the worlds of car design and Rallying. It was, of course, the revolutionary Lancia Stratos HF. With its striking good looks, the car was a unique design that was unparalleled at the time. What also made it special was the fact that it was built from the ground up for one purpose: to win the World Rally Championship. It is very seldom that you come across cars that are designed as race cars and then turned into road cars – usually it’s the other way around. Other examples that share this rare trait include the Maserati MC12 and Mercedes CLK GTR. The road going version was only produced so that homologation criteria could be met in order for it to enter the Group 4 class of the Rally World Championship. And for that reason, like the Maserati and Mercedes, it had quite a few shortcomings in the real world. Its performance wasn’t one of them – largely due to the mid–mounted Ferrari V6 engine form the Dino - after all Ferrari was owned by Fiat and the Stratos was developed as a race car. Hit the jump for the full story. Full story Video: Ferrari CEO Luca di Montezemolo takes the one-off Lancia Stratos for a test run
The Pininfarina-built, one-off New Lancia Stratos was recently presented to its smiling new owner, Michael Stoschek after over two years of development. But before Mr. Stoschek gets to enjoy his ultra rare sports car, the Stratos has to make a few more test rounds and, not to mention, have its own media unveiling at the Paul Ricard Circuit next week. But before that, the New Stratos headed over to Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit in Maranello so that no less than Ferrari CEO Luca di Montezemolo can take it for a spin. Seeing as the New Stratos is based on the underpinnings of the Ferrari F430 Scuderia, it would only make sense that di Montezemolo had testing dibs on the one-off sports car. Needless to say, the Stratos turned out to be as good as advertised with the Ferrari chief showering it with lavish praises after giving it a proper shakedown at the Fiorano circuit. Di Montezemolo was so geeked up after driving the car that he even invited Ferrari technical director, Roberto Fedeli, to have his turn behind the wheel of the sports car. For a car that took more than two years to develop, we certainly expected nothing less from the one-off Lancia Stratos because anything less than two resounding thumbs up would be a bitter disappointment. Scale models of the Lancia Stratos GT2 should hold us over
There were tons of rumors circling around about a future Lancia Stratos when spy shots were taken of a vehicle driving around at the Fiat Group test track at Balocco near Milan. Not long after those photos were taken the One-off Lancia Stratos was confirmed as a special project developed especially for the German millionaire collector Michael Stoschek. While a lot of people interested in a new Stratos pouted in defeat, the automaker’s wheels were turning, thinking of a way they could make a profit out of all this interest. And they may have found a way in a small series of 25 units that may be developed to compete in the FIAT GT2 series. The announcement for this series was made by Paul Ricard during an exclusive presentation of the new Stratos to the international press. While we may not see official details of the exclusive Stratos GT2 anytime soon, the company has released 199 1:8 scale models, distinguished by blue livery and on sale at a price of € 4150. These scale models will be built by British manufacturer, Amalgam, and are distinguished by additional lights hidden behind the radiator grille and a large rear wing. The GT2 model will also get improved aerodynamics, clam shell fasteners, and a quick release fuel filler cap. And to add a personal touch to the scale models of the Startos GT2 are the names of the original crew that worked on the Stratos back in 1974: "Loris Bicocchi, Bernard Darniche and Sandro Munari." New Lancia Stratos goes to its owner
After months of teasing, the mystery has been finally solved: the man who will enjoy all the work done for the New Stratos is Michael Stoschek, a German millionaire. The project has been two years coming and with final testing and polishing complete, the one-off model was given its big sendoff, but not before all who were involved joined together for some good ol’ fashioned celebrating. This special model is powered by a Ferrari 430 motor producing 483hp. The body is comprised of carbon fiber and the chassis is shorter than the 430’s. The one-off Lancia Stratos is far from completing its journey, however. The vehicle will need to undergo further track practice as the final performance figures need to be calculated and transformed into verifiable data. These figures need to be complete and accounted for by the time the new Lancia Stratos is presented to the international press at the Paul Ricard Circuit in two weeks. Press release after the jump. Full story Video: Lancia Stratos final testings
The new Lancia Stratos is currently making its final testings. Current WTCC and former Formula-1- Pilot Tiago Monteiro tested the New Stratos at Balocco test track, Italy. Also, on September 13th, the final wind tunnel test was held at Pininfarina in Turin. The aerodynamic data already gleaned from the 1:1 model of the New Stratos, together with all the subjective driving impressions from the various test tracks, was compiled and applied to the optimization of the lift and downforce values. This Lancia is a one-off build for a rich German businessman by Pininfarina. There haven’t been any new details released on the car, but this is the first time we have seen large photos. Under the hood is a 483-horsepower motor that came from the Ferrari 430. The body is carbon fiber and the chassis is shorter than the 430’s. Wind tunnel testing after the jump. Full story
2011 Lancia Musa 5th Avenue
One motor show simply isn’t enough for the Lancia Musa. At the beginning of the year, Lancia introduced the Lancia Musa as a showcar at the Geneva Motor Show and now Lancia will be bringing a special edition of the hatchback to the Paris Auto Show at the end of September. The Musa’s exterior will be distinguished by a two-toned body (Angelico white and Masaccio black top), specific logo, privacy windows, 16" two-tone wheels, and an original New York skyline screen printing on the pillars. The interior will get top-quality Poltrona Frau leather trim chosen for the dashboard and seats. The new Musa 5th Avenue will be offered with three engine options: 95 HP 1.3 MultiJet, 95 HP 1.4 petrol (both with Start&Stop as standard) and 77 HP 1.4 bi-fuel (petrol-LPG) power units. The list of standard equipment will include seats and dashboard in Poltrona Frau leather, dual zone climate control, privacy windows, radio CD MP3 player with steering wheel controls, fog lights, ESP, rain and brightness sensors, Cruise Control, parking sensor, GranLuce sunroof, electric rear windows, and 16" alloy wheels. Press release after the jump. Full story | Lancia cars reviews2012 2011 2010 2009
* prototypes, future cars, modified cars (tuning) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lancia cars
|
|