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The design brief concluded ‘…the design should create a link between the potential buyer, traditionally of more conservative nature, and the automotive design community, traditionally open-minded and always reaching for the new.'
Hrabalek explains, “On a retro scale, if we place the Ford GT on one end, and the radical Ford GT90 on the other, we wanted the Stratos to lie somewhere in-between.”
Product clinics were held on no fewer than six occasions, with potential customers, racing drivers and qualified journalists to help confirm that the project was heading in the right direction. At each of these occasions, the design direction was presented alongside real-life examples of competitors models.
Neither Fiat nor Lancia had involvement in the project, which was backed by investors and enthusiasts and owners of the Stratos legend.
The final styling is a perfect symbiosis of recognisable Stratos form and cutting-edge design solutions. At a glance, it is more than apparent as to which bloodline the car derives from, but the extensive detailing and certain features render the 2005 Stratos as a totally modern rethink to the original concept, rather than a mere styling ‘update'.
From the front, the car is epitomised by a huge carbon fibre splitter, providing the car with a purposeful all-terrain high-performance look. The pop-up headlights of the original have been replaced with flush-fitting alternatives, whilst the generous wheel arches that cut well into the bonnet remain as on the original.
The main focus for the design, and quite literally the best part of the Stratos, is the wraparound helmet-visor style windscreen, now split in the middle to make part of a surprisingly fresh and logical gullwing door system. This is a strong design statement, not only in terms of substance, but also in terms of logic. The design enables easier access to the interior for older drivers without making them feel old, which has been such an overlooked yet obvious requirement in the supercar field. It would be a shame if this feature was not able to reach production feasibility.
The rear end of the car is characterised by an ingenious solution to the taillight units, which combine the original's character along with the original's horizontal emphasis introduced by the aerodynamic spoiler and separate reverse light units.
In order to realise the Stratos, Fenomenon carefully outsourced engineering work to outside suppliers, each selected for their capability, cost effectiveness and quality standards.
For the Stratos project, an independent engineering team was created and briefed, not only to translate the concept's style technically, but also to provide full functionality and feasibility for production. The modern on- and off-road capabilities formed the main focus for the technical specification.
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