More Neo-Stratos Images Emerge

Just the Facts:

• The Stratos was first seen performing shakedown tests at Alfa Romeo's Balocco test track in July.
• The Stratos is heavily based on the Ferrari 430 Scuderia.
• A low weight of under 2,650 pounds and the Ferrari's 510-hp engine promise exhilarating performance.

MILAN, Italy — Clearer pictures of the sensational-looking remake of the midengine 1972 Lancia Stratos have emerged.

The car was performing shakedown tests at Alfa Romeo's Balocco test track in July, prior to an anticipated unveiling toward the end of the year. Ex-Formula One driver Tiago Monteiro carried out the tests, and insiders report that the Stratos exceeded all the benchmarks set for it.

Though commissioned by a wealthy industrialist, it's thought that the car will be produced in low numbers, not least because it has proven very expensive to develop. It is heavily based on a Ferrari 430 Scuderia, with the F430's aluminum structure cut down to achieve the shorter wheelbase that was such a feature of the original Stratos. The 510-horsepower Scuderia engine has been lightly tuned, too.

This new Stratos uses carbon-fiber exterior panels and weighs well under 2,650 pounds, promising spectacular performance.

This latest version of the legendary Lancia rally car is thought to have been inspired by the 2005 remake developed by the Fenomenon design consultancy, whose full-size showcar was exhibited at the 2005 Geneva Auto Show.

Subsequently, three major design houses were invited to pitch for the chance to further develop the Fenomenon concept, and Pininfarina won, narrowly beating Bertone, which created the original car.

Jason Castriota, now head of design at Saab but then at Pininfarina, is believed to have had a major hand in the new car, although it was not his design that won his employers the contract. Castriota subsequently worked on this project after he moved to Bertone.

It is still not clear whether Fiat Auto will officially sanction the project, allow the Lancia brand name to be used and become involved with marketing it. But the Italian giant is clearly involved, if only at arm's length.

Fiat, of course, has had considerable success with its Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione limited edition, which sold out very quickly. However, the neo-Stratos is likely to cost considerably more than the Alfa.

Inside Line says: Stratos fans should be delighted to hear that there may be more than one copy of this spectacular supercar, but they are going to need deep pockets. — Richard Bremner, Correspondent