MAT New Stratos
When Michael Stoschek, chairman of the shareholders’ meeting of the Brose Group, presented his New Stratos project based on a Ferrari 430 Scuderia in 2010, a small-batch production was already firmly planned. At that time, the sports car brand from Maranello vetoed and prohibited the use of their mid-engined car – despite a successful test drive of their then boss Luca di Montezemolo. Since the second successor to the Scuderia is already available with the 488 Pista, there now is no obstacle left from this direction.
At that time the New Stratos was developed under project manager Paolo Garella at Pininfarina. Meanwhile, Garella founded the company Manifattura Automobili Torino (MAT) and has agreed with Stoschek’s New Stratos GbR to produce a maximum of 25 sports cars according to the exact specifications of the prototype. However, in addition to the road version, customers can also choose a GT racing variant and a vehicle in the style of the original Stratos from the Safari Rally.
The styling of the New Stratos is clearly based on the historical model, but with significantly increased dimensions. No wonder, the original was very narrow inside. For the design of the New Stratos Stoschek won the renowned designer and Stratos collector Chris Hrabalek, who previously showed his own interpretation, the Fenomenon Stratos Concept at some motor shows. All body parts are made from carbon fiber and tailored to the shortened backbone of the 430 Scuderia with 20 centimeters less wheelbase. Since the crash structures remain unchanged, the New Stratos continues to use the chassis numbers of the base vehicle and therefore is not a completely new car – at least in prototype state. Whether MAT has found a new solution for the low-volume production at this point, is unlikely to be considered, as the more recent emission regulations compared to 2010 wouldn’t allow to register a new car with this engine for the road.
The 4.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine of the Ferrari 430 Scuderia is under the large, rear-hinged bonnet behind the passenger compartment. It has a bigger power output of 550 compared to the original 510 hp and 520 compared to 470 newtonmeters of torque. Adapted to the shorter wheelbase, the chassis received an independent setup. In addition, there is the well-known sequential six-speed gearbox from Ferrari with paddles on the steering wheel, which changes gears in 60 milliseconds. Thanks to the low curb weight of just 1,247 kilograms, the New Stratos accelerates to 100 kph in 3.3 seconds and, if necessary, further up to the topspeed of 274 kph. This faster than the base vehicle because the rear axle ratio has also been adapted to the short wheelbase.
At the request of Michael Stoschek, the New Stratos not only cites the legendary model from the outside, but also transferred a very essential interior detail into modern times: the door cards offer room for a racing helmet on both sides of the car. Behind the steering wheel, which is flattened at the bottom and provides shifting point LEDs at the top, there is a self-designed dashboard with aluminium-enclosed instruments, visible carbon decor trim and four round ventilation nozzles. Driver and passenger take place in comfortable bucket seats. In terms of color, of course, customers have free choice.
MAT has been known since its founding in 2014 primarily for the development of supercars like the SCG 003C or the new Apollo IE (Intensa Emozioni). The Italians ask a base price of 500,000 € – plus a base Ferrari 430 Scuderia in great condition. At the Geneva Motor Show in March the first copy with a manual gearbox will debut. About 12 cars are already pre-ordered. Deliveries might begin in April.
Images: New Stratos, MAT
