40 years after its production ended, the Lancia Stratos still warms the hearts of millions of people all over the world. It took a while, but finally — finally! — The Stratos is coming back. It’s not going to come from Lancia, but it’s still going to be the modern-day Stratos that we’ve all been waiting decades for. Even better, there are three versions that are being developed, including a road-going supercar, a GT racer, and Lord have mercy, a Safari rally-spec racer. This is the new Stratos, ladies, and gentlemen. You can start fainting now.

If you’re back from your dizzy spell, we can proceed to know a little more about the new Stratos and who’s actually behind it. It’s not Lancia, that’s for sure. Instead, our attention needs to be directed to Manifattura Automobili Torini, the Italian coachbuilding firm that actually developed the New Stratos prototype all the way back in 2010. Some of you will remember that the car actually made it to the testing stage. Even former Ferrari chief Luca di Montezemolo took it out for a spin on one occasion. Ironically, it was Maranello that actually blocked plans to produce the Stratos in limited numbers because it didn’t want to have its 430s used as the basis of the model. Boo, Ferrari.

It’s unclear what changed between 2010 and 2018, but that’s not important now. What’s important is that Manifattura Automobili Torino, the same coachbuilder that created the New Stratos eight years ago, has partnered with Michael Stoschek, chairman of the Brose Group and the owner of the one-off 2010 Stratos, to build 25 units of the New Stratos. All 25 units will be homologated for global sales, with each model catered specifically to the customer’s whims.

“I am delighted that other passionate car enthusiasts can experience how the successor of the most fascinating rally car from the Seventies still sets the bar for design and performance today,” Stoschek said in a statement.

Details on the new New Stratos are still scarce at the moment. We do know that its power is being dialed up to 550 horses, 50 more than the New Stratos. It’s not a big increase in ponies, but it’s an increase nonetheless. More details should arrive in the coming months as the project strengthens its legs. Until then, we can now stop dreaming for the return of the Stratos. It’s actually happening now.

References

Read our full review on the 1974 Lancia Stratos.