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- aceferrarifan1
The New Stratos is a one-of-a-kind vehicle. Designed by Michael Stoschek and constructed by Pininfarina, the New Stratos - as the name suggests - is a modern re-interpretation of the classic Group 4 Machine designed by Lancia that dominated 70's rallying. The car is powered by the same 4.3-litre naturally-aspirated V8 engine found in the Ferrari F430, but has new ECU, Exhaust and Catalyst setup fitted to bring the specification up to 540BHP and 52.9kgfm of torque (Forgive me for using Kilogram-force metres, I'm using the UK version of the game, and the UK version measures torque in kgfm, not nm or ft-lbs.). Of course, the engine is fitted amidship and provides power exclusively to the rear wheels.
The New Stratos is fitted with a six-speed transmission, and unladen, this car weighs in at 1247kgs - 47 kilos heavier than the 1.6-litre WRC cars of the time. Regardless, the car still has a power-to-weight ratio of 2.3kgs/BHP.
Despite looking like a flashy-one off concept car, the New Stratos is fully competitive. The car is fitted with an FIA-certified roll-cage, and it entered the tarmac-based Rally Isla Mallorca in 2012, where it actually finished all of the stages trouble-free. Though the car has not been driven on gravel or snow, if Polyphony add this car in, they could allow Dirt or Spiked Snow Tyres to be fitted to the car.
