On the occasion
of next month's Frankfurt IAA, Fenomenon Holistic Design
will unveil an exciting new concept design - the Stratos
Roadster. Their design team have chopped the lid of the
Stratos concept car, and from it initial two impressions
they have revealed - this course of action has worked rather
well.
It was during the 75th Geneva Salon - back in
March - that the Fenomenon automotive design studio launched
what would turned out to be one of the most exciting concept
cars presented at the Swiss motor show - a modern, feasible,
reinterpretation of the Stratos - Lancia's sportscar icon
from the 1970s.
Fenomenon Holistic Design is led by Viennese-born Christian Hrabalek,
who happens to be the world's foremost collector, and
authority on, the Lancia Stratos, and he brooked no
compromises in his quest to create a 'new' version, but
which at the same time would be one that captured the very
essence of the much-lauded original.
The
public
and press alike responded very well to the new Stratos
concept. Building on from an acknowledged masterpiece is
always a difficult - and often thankless - task. ”I
think it is a great design, it looks like a Stratos and is
very modern," commented in Geneva the man possibly best
placed of all to offer any form of judgement - the legendary
1970s Lancia Stratos HF rally star: Sandro Munari. "I
also think it will be possible to translate the handling
character of the old Stratos with the new car. But most
importantly of all, I think it is an amazing achievement
that Christian has made on his own. To say that he is only
27 it is remarkable, and I think it’s a great example that
he has set for other young designers and entrepreneurs,”
concluded Munari - who claimed countless famous triumphs at
the wheel of the Stratos HF, including overall victory of
the Monte Carlo Rally in 1975 and 1977.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The two artist's impressions of the new Stratos Roadster
revealed - exclusively to Italiaspeed - by Fenomenon, offer
a very first glimpse of the next stage of this ambitious
project: the Geneva-presented Coupé concept, but with the
fixed roof now removed.
The 'wedge-shape' of Fenomenon's Stratos concept would
appear to superbly
lends itself to this approach, and the impression is of a
distinctive, slightly-aggressive sportscar, that still
perfectly retains - but also enhances - its original,
well-regarded shape, while at the same time keeping firmly
fused into the project the 'original' Stratos' DNA, a design
influence that has always been a 'must' for Christian
Hrabalek and his team.
The new
Fenomenon Stratos Roadster will be presented to the public
for the first time during the Frankfurt IAA next month, and
- just like at the Geneva Salon - expect Christian Hrabalek
to display it alongside on of his collection of original
Stratos cars.
by Edd Ellison
|
|
|