So you thought near-3.0-second 0-60 mph times were solely the domain of uber-turbo all-wheel-drive boost buggies? Think again: the New Stratos, based on a shortened and highly customized Ferrari F430 platform, scoots to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.3 seconds. That's a dead heat with the Corvette ZR1, and the New Stratos does it without the aid of forced induction.

Getting to 124 mph (200 km/h) is a snap as well: just 9.7 seconds elapse. These acceleration numbers are just the tip of the iceberg, however, as slalom and lateral acceleration figures are yet to be released. With such low weight, mid-engine balance, and good apparent longitudinal grip, we expect the lateral performance to be even more remarkable.

How low is low, though? Dry weight for the New Stratos comes in right at 2,750 pounds. That should equate to a curb weight in the mid-2800s. Weight balance is 44/56 percent front to rear. Its coefficient of drag is rather high at 0.357, but that's actually on the low side for cars that have to ventilate high-performance engines while also generating usable downforce.

With a total frontal area of 2.07 square meters, the total drag of the package (drag area of 7.95) is still fairly high: the 2008 Nissan GT-R has a drag area of 6.08, and the 2007 SSC Ultimate Aero scores 7.13. That makes us somewhat less hopeful for ultimate top-end speed, but could indicate impressive grip levels. We'll have to wait and see.

[New-Stratos, Wikipedia]