Legendary Lancia Stratos could make a comeback

Posted Mon Jun 16 2008 6:52 AM by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

The new Lancia Delta has just entered production but the stylish hatchback is just the first of a handful of new upmarket models planned for the Italian brand. Already confirmed for production is a new MPV and minicar, but Fiat Group bosses are also considering adding a smaller hatchback based around the Delta, a flagship convertible and according to latest reports a new-generation Stratos sports coupe.

Lancia is seeking to boost its image and establish itself as Fiat’s new premium division, and in an interview with Autocar the carmaker’s CEO, Olivier Francois, told reporters that “a sports car is a great way to do this.” Francois wasn’t willing to give specifics about the new car but hinted that cars like the previous Beta Montecarlo and Stratos are a good source of inspiration, and that an official concept will be shown at next year’s Geneva Motor Show in March.

Pictured above is the Fenomenon Stratos concept, a design study created by British firms Fenomenon and Prodrive as a modern interpretation of the legendary mid-engine sports car. The concept was rolled out back at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show and was scheduled to go intro limited production next year but investors have since backed away from the project.

Reader Comments

Mon Jun 16 2008 10:11 AM
Knight3058 says

Hopefully, if they do this, they will stay with AWD on the Stratos.
Mon Jun 16 2008 12:49 PM
CarFanaticsUnleashed says

Ah, finally, the famed Lancia Delta, one of the greatest of the Italian rally car descendents will reenter production, and really, all we can hope is that it comes to the USA...
Wishful thinking...
Mon Jun 16 2008 4:04 PM
str8tup says

design looks like a shoe, but quite catchy at some angles. Best of luck to lancia on this one.
Tue Jun 17 2008 1:31 AM
Layne says

Knight, the Stratos was RWD, not AWD.
Tue Jun 17 2008 11:22 AM
chris says

looks like a 350z

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