New Stratos: Iconic Rebirth That Challenged Ferrari

Defiant Revival - There’s something undeniably captivating about the revival of iconic cars—especially when they return in the form of something sleeker, faster, and sharper than ever before. This time, it’s the New Stratos that’s making waves. The difference? There’s no Lancia badge in sight. The torch has been picked up by a modern Italian builder, breathing new life into a beloved rally-bred name from the past. Welcome to the return of the New Stratos, reimagined for a new era by Manifattura Automobili Torino.

All-new MAT Stratos posed beside the legendary 1975 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale on its debut at the 2018 Geneva Auto Show. (PIcture from: MotoringResearch)

Officially unveiled at the 88th Geneva Motor Show in March 2018, the New Stratos stunned the automotive world with its aggressive yet familiar look. While Lancia—now primarily focused on compact city cars—has stepped away from performance vehicles, it’s Manifattura Automobili Torino (MAT) that has taken the reins to bring this passion project to life. And this isn’t a tribute car made for showrooms; it’s a serious machine meant for the road.

The journey of the New Stratos began back in 2010, originally crafted as a concept by a company named New Stratos GbR. The idea was bold: take the high-performance Ferrari F430 Scuderia as a base, and rebody it with a dramatic design inspired by the original Stratos, courtesy of the legendary Italian design house Pininfarina. The result was stunning—but not everyone was pleased.

Front three quarter view of All-new MAT Stratos. (Picture from: Autoblog)

Ferrari, the source of the donor car and engine, wasn’t exactly supportive. In fact, the Italian marque outright refused to allow their components to be used in the production version. Not only was the chassis off-limits, but so was the 4.3-liter V8 engine, reportedly because New Stratos GbR had tuned it to produce more than 540 horsepower—higher than Ferrari’s factory output. That alone was enough to put a hold on the project for years.

 

Things turned around when MAT stepped in. With their expertise in building low-volume, high-performance vehicles, the company signed a formal partnership with New Stratos GbR to finally bring the New Stratos to life. This time, there was nothing standing in the way. Using the same design, layout, and engineering principles from the concept, MAT began preparing the car for limited production.

Left side view of All-new MAT Stratos. (Picture from: Autoblog)

Just 25 units of the New Stratos will be built by MAT, each tailored to meet the demands of the most passionate drivers. This isn’t a garage queen—it’s designed to handle daily use, tight corners, and challenging roads. MAT has also hinted at future versions based on the same platform, including a GT touring model and even a Safari-ready off-road variant.

Under the hood, the New Stratos packs a 4,308 cc flat-plane V8 engine capable of delivering 540 horsepower at 8,200 rpm, with peak torque of 519 Nm at 3,750 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox, enabling explosive acceleration: 0–100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds, 0–200 km/h in 9.7 seconds, and a top speed of 330 km/h. Braking is just as impressive, with 100–0 km/h stopping achieved in only 2.2 seconds.

Rear-right side view of All-new MAT Stratos. (Picture from: Autoblog)

Performance isn’t the only headline here. The New Stratos features an advanced adjustable suspension setup, allowing drivers to fine-tune the ride based on road conditions or personal preference. It’s a car built to dance through mountain roads as easily as it handles a spirited track session—something few supercars can pull off with such confidence and flair.

Of course, exclusivity comes at a price. Before anything else, buyers must supply their own Ferrari F430 Scuderia to serve as the base vehicle. On top of that, expect to spend around €500,000—approximately $624,000—for the full transformation into a New Stratos. That might sound steep, but for those who value performance, history, and design in equal measure, it’s a price worth paying.

 
The New Stratos isn’t just a car—it’s a passion project brought to life with precision, boldness, and a whole lot of Italian soul. While the original made history on rally stages, this modern revival is carving out its own legacy with every turn of the wheel. *** [EKA [20082018] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NEW STRATOS | MANIFATTURA AUTOMOBILI TORINO | MOTORING RESEARCH | AUTOBLOG | EVO | SLASHGEAR]

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