One of the most legendary
cars from the rich pages of automotive history is al set
to be reborn, as a prototype, that closely mirrors a
modern day reinterpretation of the fearsome Lancia
Stratos, has been caught testing in secret at Fiat's
Balocco test track.
When it was first shown
as a radical prototype at the Turin Motor Show in 1970
the Stratos stunned and shocked onlookers in equal
measure and the rallying exploits of the production
version saw it go on to enter automotive folk law. The
Stratos immediately won on its rally debut following
homologation and it sealed world championship titles as
the Ferrari-powered sports car embarked on a half decade
long winning spree and it played a key role in building
the modern-day reputation of Lancia that was won on the
world's most important rally tracks.
Now exactly four
decades later the Stratos is set to be reborn, the
original Bertone lines and thinking clearly visible and
still the focal point of the project but now sharpened
and updated to reflect the passage of time and the onset
of a new generation of design language. All the emotive
design cues that turned the Stratos into a genuine
automotive icon can be clearly seen: the wheelarches
cutting into the bonnet, the curved windshield and
wrap-around side glass, the engine cover and features
and the flip-up rear spoiler. The flush-fit new
headlights are new reflecting the end of the era of
pop-up units and the turn signal indicators are the
latest fashion in LEDs.
The two 'spy'
photographs were taken at the Fiat Group test track at
Balocco near Milan on June 21 when this prototype was
undergoing secret testing. Very little is known about
the ambitious project but Italiaspeed has learnt
that it has in fact been privately funded by a European
industrialist. The trademark sloping bonnet betrays a
badge recess that is of a very similar shape to Lancia's
traditional emblem meaning this new sports car could
well be set to carry the famous marque's name once
again, which will raise the hope of Lancisti across the
world, as is the fact that it has been in test action at
Balocco.
