On the occasion of next month's
Frankfurt IAA, Fenomenon Holistic Design will unveil an exciting new concept design - the Stratos Roadster. The design team has chopped the lid off the Stratos concept car.
It was during the
75th Geneva Salon - back in March - that the Fenomenon automotive design studio launched what turned out to be one of the most exciting concept cars presented at the Swiss motor show - a modern, feasible, reinterpretation of the Stratos - Lancia's sportscar icon from the 1970s. Fenomenon Holistic Design is led by Viennese-born Christian Hrabalek, who happens to be the world's foremost collector, and authority on, the Lancia Stratos, and he made no compromises in his quest to create a 'new' version, but which at the same time would be one that captured the very essence of the much-lauded original.
The public and press alike responded very well to the new Stratos concept. Building on from an acknowledged masterpiece is always a difficult - and often thankless - task. "I think it is a great design, it looks like a Stratos and is very modern," commented the man possibly best placed of all to offer any form of judgement - the legendary 1970s Lancia Stratos HF rally star: Sandro Munari. "I also think it will be possible to translate the handling character of the old Stratos with the new car. But most importantly of all, I think it is an amazing achievement that Christian has made on his own. To say that he is only 27 it is remarkable, and I think it's a great example that he has set for other young designers and entrepreneurs," concluded Munari - who claimed countless famous triumphs at the wheel of the Stratos HF, including overall victory of the Monte Carlo Rally in 1975 and 1977.
The two artist's impressions of the new Stratos Roadster revealed by Fenomenon, offer a very first glimpse of the next stage of this ambitious project: the Geneva-presented coupé concept, but with the fixed roof now removed. The 'wedge-shape' of Fenomenon's Stratos concept would appear to superbly lend itself to this approach, and the impression is of a distinctive, slightly-aggressive sportscar, that still perfectly retains - but also enhances - its original shape.
The new Fenomenon Stratos Roadster will be presented to the public for the first time during the Frankfurt IAA next month, and - just like at the Geneva Salon - expect Christian Hrabalek to display it alongside one of his collection of original Stratos cars. We'll be there.
ItaliaSpeed - 24 Aug 2005