New Lancia Stratos supercar images released

The New Lancia Stratos is on display at the Geneva motor show before it is put into limited production by Manifattura Automobili Torino (MAT). The 550hp/519Nm Stratos is based on the Ferrari F430 and pays homage to Lancia's legendary sports and rally car – 492 examples of which were built between 1973 and 1978.

Three versions of the new car will be produced – a GT racer, a Safari version and what the brand calls 'a competent supercar for the daily use'. The second of these is likely a rally-inspired version – another throwback to the car's motorsport heritage.

At 4,181mm long, 1,971mm wide and 1,240mm high, the new Stratos is considerably larger than the original. It is also 267kg heavier, at 1,247kg. These dimensions make it the same length as the Audi TT – although it's considerably wider and lower to the ground – and also weighing around the same as the 1.8-litre TT.

The car's 4.3-litre V8 powers it to 100kph in 3.3sec and on to 200kph in 9.7sec, with a top speed ranging between 274kph and 330kph. The supercar's weight is kept down – thanks to its carbon-fibre bodywork – and is split between 44 percent front and 56 percent rear.

The new Stratos was commissioned by billionaire German entrepreneur Michael Stoschek, the Chairman of the car parts supplier Brose and a rallying enthusiast. The design was penned by Pininfarina, whereas the original Stratos was the work of Bertone.

The only detail revealed about the mechanicals of the new car, thus far, is that the engine produces 542bhp. In addition, the released pictures show the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles of an automatic gearbox.

The mid-engine design features the same wedge profile, semicircular windscreen, side tanks, removable front and rear servicing hoods, and engine-access hatch as the original, with a proclaimed "lightweight design".

The New Stratos' stripped-back interior mirrors many features of the original, including an integrated roll cage and door compartments for the driver, as well as passenger helmets.

“I am delighted that other passionate car enthusiasts will be able to experience how the successor to the most fascinating rally car of the 1970s still sets the bar for design and performance,” said Stoschek.

The car was originally revealed in concept from in 2010. This original concept was based on a cut-down aluminium space frame structure from a Ferrari 430 Scuderia; it also used the 430's drivetrain; its 4.3-litre V8 produced 540hp. However, in 2011, Ferrari blocked Pininfarina and "any other Ferrari-dependent suppliers" from putting the New Stratos into production, prompting the car's designers to look elsewhere for a base. MAT says that it has obtained "permission to replicate the New Stratos using the same design and technologies of his [Stoschek's] car".

MAT's portfolio includes the Apollo Arrow and Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus SCG003S. The company – which designs, engineers and builds one-off and limited production luxury and racing models – is headed by its founder, Paolo Garella, who previously worked for Pininfarina and has been involved with more than 50 bespoke car projects over the last 30 years.