On November 29th and 30th, the time had come: Michael and Maximilian Stoschek invited a select group of journalists, designers, engineers, race and rally drivers to the premiere in Le Castellet, so they could at last experience the New Stratos live and in action. What’s more, the attendees were able to do so not merely from the passenger-side racing seat, but from behind the small sports steering wheel with the Manettino switch. After a few racing-style introductory laps from WTCC driver Tiago Monteiro and Maximilian and Michael Stoschek, New Stratos novices were permitted to personally catapult the 540 hp car onto the racetrack via the 6-speed sequential gearbox.

Not surprisingly, no one passed up on this opportunity, least of all Bernard Darniche, French and European rally champion many times over, and – with 41 victories – the most successful Lancia Stratos driver of all time. He sped his legendary victory car’s successor through the tight, twisty section of the Paul Ricard Circuit, just like in the old days. In an interview afterwards, Darniche left no doubt about his enthusiasm for the razor-sharp handling and seamless implementation of even the tiniest steering, brake and gas commands. Furthermore, the exceptionally high quality of workmanship for a one-off vehicle and the level of perfection to be found in every single detail, unanimously impressed the visiting press representatives.

The New Stratos, like the racing version of its predecessor, has been extensively geared – down to every last detail – towards lightweight design and performance. Not surprisingly, the specification sheet was therefore extremely ambitious in this regard as well. The low vehicle weight, the excellent balance and the precision chassis components made possible by the rigid body, were intended not only to provide an exhilarating driving experience, but to provide measurable results in the form of objective data. As work on the New Stratos continued virtually without pause up until the presentation in Le Castellet, and weather conditions offered no opportunity for performance test runs, these will have be carried out at the next available opportunity. The team expects a power-to-weight ratio below 2.3 kg/hp with an acceleration time from 0-100 km/h of 3.3 seconds and from 0-200 km/h of 9.7 seconds. They also expect top marks for braking performance and a benchmark position in the 18- and 36-meter slalom and similar handling tests. After introducing the new rear axle ratio (crown wheel and pinion 9/45), the top speed will be reduced to 274 km/h, in order to achieve even better acceleration values.

During the dinner afterward, theory followed where practice left off: designers, suspension technicians, development engineers, project managers and, naturally, the initiators themselves, left no question about the New Stratos’ development unanswered in their entertaining lectures and individual conversations. No questions, that is, except the one regarding the possibility of a limited run. However, if demand is sufficient, this question may soon have an answer as well.

ItaliaspeedTV: New Stratos - media presentation @ Paul Ricard Circuit