04.09.2010 MORE TEST ACTION FOR THE NEW LANCIA STRATOS PROJECT

NEW LANCIA STRATOS 2010
NEW LANCIA STRATOS 2010
NEW LANCIA STRATOS 2010

Following a well documented test at the Fiat Group's proving ground a Balocco at the end of June, this latest test session took place at Wächtersbach in Germany, which incorporates a short circuit and handling course.

The ‘New Stratos’ project has taken another stride forward as it counts down to a launch date at Paul Ricard in November, with the reborn Lancia legend this time being put through its paces on a German handling course and the team involved again reporting its capabilities exceeded their expectations.

Following a well-documented test at the Fiat Group’s proving ground at Balocco in June, this latest test session took place at the Wächtersbach complex in Germany, which incorporates a short circuit and handling course. According to the project’s official website: "Wächtersbach’s tight handling course put different demands on the vehicle than the Balocco track had done thus far.”

Once again at the wheel of the new sports car prototype, and leader of the development program, was former F1 driver Tiago Monteiro. The Portuguese driver competed in 37 grands prix with Jordan, Midland and Spyker, and collected a podium finish in the controversial United States Grand Prix in 2005. He currently races in the FIA World Touring Car Championship for a SEAT satellite team, and also piloted the New Stratos prototype during its initial Balocco test. Behind the wheel in Germany, too, was Michael Stoschek, the German automotive sector industrialist and historic rally driver who has brought the ambitious project to fruition, as well as his son Maximilian.

According to the official website, “an enhanced Porsche 911 GT3 RS was used as the reference car”, and, as at Balocco where an insider told Italiaspeed that “all the benchmarks had been exceeded”, this time the sports car seems to have been equally as impressive in what was a very different scenario. “All in all, the test confirmed that the vehicle is both extraordinarily agile and a phenomenally fun drive,” the report stated. Matthias Mohr, a test engineer from Sachs ZF, was also able to try out individual damper adjustments while the sports car was being driven on the track. Following that test the New Stratos will be fitted with harder suspension springs and a more direct steering ratio before its next test takes place, once again at Balocco, in mid-September.

Photos from the test at Wächtersbach also show the cockpit, although the finish is very much still in its prototype phase. Notably, the driver’s helmet can be seen tucked into the door panel compartment – as in the original – but this time around, the legendary ‘helmet pocket’ is made of carbonfibre.
 

© 2010 Interfuture Media/Italiaspeed