Dallara Stradale unveiled — A 400hp carbon-fiber speedster (with an opt. roof)

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A dream nurtured on racetracks all over the world. The racing technology applied to the pleasure of driving. A unique product, designed to enhance the company's key skills: carbon fiber structures, aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics.

Varano de' Melegari, November 16 2017 - The first model of Dallara Stradale was handed over to its owner on the day of his birthday. Giampaolo Dallara, a life as an Engineer, went out to drive the street-legal Dallara right from the building in which he started his business activity 45 years ago in Varano de' Melegari, not far from the house where he was born on November 16,1936.

In 2015, after a long processing period, twenty engineers and five mechanics were entrusted to a Technical Director: Giampaolo Dallara. The goal was clear: making a car to rediscover the real pleasure of driving on the road or on the track. "I like to think that Colin Chapman, which I began to admire since the days of his Lotus Seven, would appreciate the essentiality and simplicity of this car," says Mr. Giampaolo Dallara, President of Dallara Automobili. "This project," adds Mr. Dallara, "sums up everything we learned from racing and from collaborations with our clients, and I am convinced that those who will use this car will be able to try the pleasure of driving for the sake of driving. They will get in the car to take a nice ride and to experience the pleasure of driving".

Product

In the base configuration, the Dallara Stradale is a barchetta without doors, like a single-seater racing car. It can be customized in a roadster configuration with the addition of a windshield. Adding a T-Frame, the car becomes a targa. With the further addition of two doors with a seagull wing opening, the car becomes a coupe. For those who want to use the car mostly on track, there is the possibility to install a rear wing, which provides access to exceptional levels of downforce.

The car customizations in terms of performance are not limited only to the addition of the rear wing, but it is possible to install adjustable suspensions which allow to lower the car in track set-up, guaranteeing a high comfort standard in any condition. The Dallara Stradale provides a six-speed manual transmission, but among the optional equipment a "paddle-shift" system is provided for the robotized gearbox which minimizes the time shifting, equipped of two methods and two different mappings, automatic: Normal and Sport; and manual: Normal and Sport.

Thanks to its low weight, an accurate study of vehicle dynamics and high aerodynamic load, the performance is of a true racing car.

• Its 855 kg as a total car weight are a result of the extensive use of composite materials and carbon fiber. The logic behind materials and processes is "materials and processes suitable for their function": pre-impregnated in an autoclave for the monocoque; long fiber compression moulding in structural components of the bodywork; body panel system in exterior panels; carbon sheet moulding in reinforcements.

• The kinematics of the suspensions and the calibration of springs and bars and dampers have been defined to maximize the compromise between grip and comfort. Dynamic characteristics of the vehicle have been set, developed and defined in numerous sessions at the Dallara Driving Simulator: expert test drivers have worked closely with technicians and engineers to define the specifications of the suspensions, aerodynamics, engine and ergonomics suitable for an exceptional driving pleasure.

• Thanks to the virtual development of the CFD and several Wind Tunnel sessions, the aerodynamic load coefficient obtained allows obtaining vertical load values (downforce) among the highest between GT roadcars (more than 820kg @ TopSpeed).
The combination of weight, vehicle dynamics and aerodynamics, along with customized tyres, allows to reach lateral accelerations beyond 2G under normal conditions of use.

The Dallara Stradale is equipped with the latest Bosch ESP stability control systems (which includes ABS-EBD-TCS-VDC) to ensure an excellent control of the car in all conditions of use.

The powertrain is a 4-cylinder 2.3 L supercharged capable of delivering 400 HP, the result of an accurate selection and optimization of engine components, combined with the electronic control system developed in close collaboration with Bosch.

The first prototype was presented on 16th November 2016, when Mr. Dallara turned 80 years old. Since then, the road testing activities have begun, with car homologation and production equipment setting.

On that same day, but one year later, on 16th November 2017, the deliveries of the Dallara Stradale begin, as promised one year ago.

Partnerships

The Dallara Stradale was developed in close cooperation with Bosch, which was part of the Dallara team working on the project and was responsible for the development of vehicle and engine electronic control systems and has certified their reliability. Bosch's contribution began with the first engine bench test cycles and continued in all subsequent testing phases on prototype vehicles. Bernhard Bihr, President Bosch Engineering GmbH: "Since the very first day working with the Dallara , what impressed me the most was the passionate and professional yet modest approach in transferring the technology and spirit of a race car into a pure sports car. The effective cooperation between Bosch and Dallara made this development possible in a very short time. We are glad and grateful that we could take part in making this life-long dream of Giampaolo Dallara come true."

The collaboration with Pirelli has allowed to develop a tyre with the driving simulator before the realization of the prototypes, benefitting from the knowledge of Motorsport and Roadcar sectors, creating a real synergy between the two worlds. The front tyre footprint is optimized to let the pilot feel a direct connection with the steering kinematics, transferring all the feelings to the steering wheel and making the steering torque and driving precision more complete. The rear tyre has been designed to ensure maximum lateral acceleration performance while maintaining a good level of comfort in terms of impact on obstacles and relative damping of the asperity. In addition, the use of the state-of-the-art polymers with dedicated structures has made allow to customize tyres aligned with recent Green Mobility technologies. Stefano Bizzi, Head of Ultra High Performance R & D Pirelli: "We are very satisfied with this collaboration and we are willing to continue to collaborate with Dallara in all the fields where it excels, not only with regard to race cars, but also road cars now."

The car style was made in collaboration with Granstudio of Lowie Vermeersch. "Giving the shape to the Dallara Stradale was really like translating Giampaolo Dallara's dream into a sculpture," says Lowie Vermeersch. "A dream rooted in the timeless beauty of his Miura and nourished through a long career full of passion for racing. For this reason we have avoided a pre-established stylistic idea. As a result, the shape has evolved naturally during the project, in continuous interaction with the engineers at Dallara, and was driven by a clear sense of elegance and harmony in the proportions. This is why we tried to mix beauty and performance in a design that could express genuineness. The car has thus become not only a dream come true but also an expression of what we consider one of the fundamental values of Dallara".

The testing of the car was entrusted to two Italian drivers, Marco Apicella and Loris Bicocchi, to validate the two souls: performance and comfort. "For some time now, Mr. Dallara has been telling me: 'Loris, when we find the time to make our road car, I would like you to test it for us. I penciled this in since then" says Loris Bicocchi. " I am honored and proud to be part of the development team of the Dallara Stradale for it was a dream for me as well. I have always admired Mr. Dallara, since I saw him for the first time at Lamborghini when I was 17 years old. The shape of the Stradale makes how much they worked on aerodynamics. In fact, from the first laps on the track I realized that it represents what Dallara cars are well-known for: a stiff chassis, top-quality kinematics and suspensions and an aerodynamics that you begin to feel at 60/80 km per hour. On the road, it passes through deformations, humps and holes without affecting the steering wheel and it maintains a high comfort level. Fast but safe: stability, traction and braking controls seldom intervene. It is amazing" adds Bicocchi " because it lets you drive and does not give you anxiety: it has a great performance both on the mountain roads and on track. It has a brilliant engine, and its the light weight allows an authentic Supercar performance".

[12,000 RPM]

YEa, I'm on board. Struggling to think of a better looking sports car to come out recently.

[r0tor]

I love the idea of a road capable car coming from a legit race car chassis manufacturer

[Submariner]

Who is providing the engine?

[Galaxy]

Who is providing the engine?

Ford.

[12,000 RPM]

Surprised they went with a supercharger over the stock turbo

[MX793]

Surprised they went with a supercharger over the stock turbo

I think that's an error in this particular article.  Other outlets are reporting turbocharged.

[12,000 RPM]

That's a shame. I feel like a centrifugal blower would better suit this car's character. The 2.3EB is lacking in character.

[MX793]

That's a shame. I feel like a centrifugal blower would better suit this car's character. The 2.3EB is lacking in character.

I doubt the type of induction would do much.  The FoRS version of the motor is supposed to be better than the Mustang variant.  Hopefully a 400 HP version is more like the RS.

I would have preferred to see a tuned version of the 2.7TTV6, but that would have probably added at least 100 lbs.

[12,000 RPM]

The same 2.7EB that sounds like a Chevy Celebrity 3.1 with an exhaust?

I would have liked something a little out of the ordinary but still mass market, like a supercharged Honda 2.4 or GM 3.6. Would really have been awesome if they had got 400HP out of something without a blower at all. In any case this thing looks so good it doesn't matter. I would want it with the GM 1 gallon V6.

[MX793]

The same 2.7EB that sounds like a Chevy Celebrity 3.1 with an exhaust?

I would have liked something a little out of the ordinary but still mass market, like a supercharged Honda 2.4 or GM 3.6. Would really have been awesome if they had got 400HP out of something without a blower at all. In any case this thing looks so good it doesn't matter. I would want it with the GM 1 gallon V6.

The 3.5s sound bad.  I haven't heard many clips of the 2.7.  I would hope that the smaller displacement would lend it a better tone.  And it's not like the 4-bangers sound very good, nor are they very smooth.  If I'm stuck with an engine that doesn't sound particularly good, I'd prefer it at least be smooth.

[FoMoJo]

The same 2.7EB that sounds like a Chevy Celebrity 3.1 with an exhaust?

I would have liked something a little out of the ordinary but still mass market, like a supercharged Honda 2.4 or GM 3.6. Would really have been awesome if they had got 400HP out of something without a blower at all. In any case this thing looks so good it doesn't matter. I would want it with the GM 1 gallon V6.

Why?

"Power by Ford" is synonymous with some of the most iconic sports, 'hybrid', racing, exotic cars over the past 55 years.  Sure, Honda makes a smooth running lawn mower engine and GM's 3.6 is nothing more than a mundane barrel of bolts whereas "Power by Ford" is recognized world-wide as a performance paragon.

[MX793]

Powered by Honda holds a lot of clout in Formula and open wheel racing (e.g. IRL, CART, F1).  Honda has been in F1, on and off, as either a full vehicle manfacturer or engine supplier since the 1960s.  Honda engines were dominant in the late 80s in F1, powering teams such as Williams and McLaren.  They were the power behind 6 consecutive constructor championships and 5 consecutive driver championships in the late 80s through early 90s before they decided to drop out of the sport.

[r0tor]

That's a shame. I feel like a centrifugal blower would better suit this car's character. The 2.3EB is lacking in character.

How do you know it's lacking in character when you have no info on turbo selection, exhaust details, engine management, boost levels, internals, rev limits,,...

[FoMoJo]

Powered by Honda holds a lot of clout in Formula and open wheel racing (e.g. IRL, CART, F1).  Honda has been in F1, on and off, as either a full vehicle manfacturer or engine supplier since the 1960s.  Honda engines were dominant in the late 80s in F1, powering teams such as Williams and McLaren.  They were the power behind 6 consecutive constructor championships and 5 consecutive driver championships in the late 80s through early 90s before they decided to drop out of the sport.

I know, and they still make very good lawn mower engines.  Too bad their latest F1 V10 effort was an overweight grenade.

Actually, after Ford Racing, I do admire Honda Racing very highly...something to do with a manufacturer that still retains the founder's name.

[12,000 RPM]

How do you know it's lacking in character when you have no info on turbo selection, exhaust details, engine management, boost levels, internals, rev limits,,...

I have yet to hear a modern turbo 4 banger that sounds good, and the 2.3EB is among the worst offenders.

[FoMoJo]

I have yet to hear a modern turbo 4 banger that sounds good, and the 2.3EB is among the worst offenders.

I've yet to hear a modern 4 banger sound good, with or without turbo.  Muted as possible is the best option.

[MX793]

Naturally aspirated, 2L and smaller I4s can sound pretty good.  Particularly at higher RPMs.  As you start getting over 2L, they tend to start getting thrashy.

[MrH]

I've yet to hear a modern 4 banger sound good, with or without turbo.  Muted as possible is the best option.

F20C

[Galaxy]

I've yet to hear a modern 4 banger sound good, with or without turbo.  Muted as possible is the best option.

Alfa 4C

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W522uJTplYE


I don't know how they got that thing certified without a muffler.

[MX793]

Turbos work as mufflers.  The SRT-4 Neon also didn't have a factory muffler.  Nor does the 500 Abarth.

[Galaxy]

Turbos work as mufflers.  The SRT-4 Neon also didn't have a factory muffler.  Nor does the 500 Abarth.

I am aware that the turbos suppress some sound, still even cars like the Ferrari 488 GTB have mufflers.