New Stratos Concept Car

At the 2005 Geneva Auto Salon, Automotive Designer and Stratos Enthusiast, Christian Hrabalek, unveiled his new Stratos concept car, the Fenomenon Stratos.

The Fenomenon Stratos is a modern interpretation of the 1970 mid-engined Lancia supercar and multiple World Championship winner, the Lancia Stratos.

This new Stratos features carbonfibre and aluminium composite chassis unit, clothed in carbonfibre body panels, which are dramatic, but recognisably
Stratos.

The Fenomenon Stratos is not just about retro design – it is a supercar for the developng world, engineered for on-road and dirt/rally stage use. The design is about tackling a real-world issue facing a real-world brand, and working that brand’s assets to maximum effect.

The project was born out of discussions about the Lancia brand, and how to rejeuvenate it by using a high-point from the past, and it quickly found a number of enthusiastic investors.

Small scale production is envisaged for 2006/2007, and the car will be powered by a 425PS V8, situated mid-engined with rear drive.

Fenomenon Stratos in detail

The Stratos show car is engineered not only for use in the western world, but also in developing countries. Modern media and communications enable a huge percentage of the global population to be aware of supercars, but many enthusiasts – and potential buyers- live in countries whose road networks do not support modern ultra-high performance cars with their low ground clearance and limited suspension travel.

The Fenomenon Stratos, however, is at home not only on rough tarmac surfaces, but dirt roads too – just like the Lancia original. But, instead of being engineered for World Rally Championship compliance, a hugely expensive undertaking, the Fenomenon Stratos has been conceived as an on-road, off-road supercar for the developing world.

It’s unmistakably a Stratos, but this is not a copy, a retro-impression, or a pastiche. Park it next to the original, and it makes the Lancia look dated. Though it share the 1970 car’s startling proportions, it has a drama all its own.

The most un-missable difference is the split windscreen – a feature not seen since the 1940s. The bisected windscreen is more than a decorative flourish – the central pillar provides the hinge mounting for the doors which swing outwards, taking the windscreen with them.

Like the Lancia original, the Fenomenon Stratos is mid-engined, and makes a major impact with its unusual proportions – a direct result of its short wheelbase, broad track, and low height.

It is an exceptionally compact car, in contrast to most modern supercars, and promises outstanding manoeuverability and handling.

The Fenomenon Stratos has been conceived with a number of design features aimed specifically at enabling it to cope with the potentially challenging road conditions of developing countries. These include:-

	An exceptionally robust chassis unit constructed from a composite employing a mix of carbonfibre and aluminium, clothed in body panels madefrom carbonfibre.
	Good ground clearance – essential for badly maintained roads, but also required for negotiating speed bumps commonly found in western markets.
	Long suspension travel – again essential for safely negotiating pot-holed and rutted surfaces.
	Dust-proofing of the cockpit and engine air-intake systems.

	Engine – V8, mounted longitudinally
	power – 425PS (419bhp) at 8500rpm
	Torque – 373Nm (275lb ft) at 4750rpm
	Transmission – 6speed sequential, with liited slip differential

	Carbonfibre and aluminium composite chassis
	Unstressed carbonfibre exterior body panels
	Running Gear/Suspension
	Suspension, front – double wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar
	Suspension, front – double wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar, electronic traction control
	Brakes – ventilated disc all-round, ABS anti-locking, electronic brakeforce distribution, emergencey brake assist
	Steering – rack and pinion, hydraulic power assistance

	Length 3932mm
	Width 1941mm
	Height 1251mm
	Wheelbase 2275mm
	Weight 1000kg

Dimensions and Weight

Body

In contrast to the Ferrari V6 which powered the original Lancia Stratos, the Fenomenon Stratos will be powered by a compact longitudinally-mounted V8 and sequential 6-speed gearbox.

The coil-sprung suspension is double wishbone at all four corners.

Fenomenon Stratos Specification

Powertrain