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Dallara EXP is a track-only toy based on the Stradale road car

Dallara just revealed a new sports car, but this one is for the track, unlike the road-focused Stradale. It’s called the Dallara EXP, and it’s what happens when you remove all road-going intentions from the Stradale.

You can see that there is no roof, and there isn’t a windshield either. Its design is heavily modified with high downforce in mind. There’s still a little Stradale in there, but most of the bodywork is modified to make it stick to the ground through corners. Visually, we can see a massive rear wing, a totally new front end and an enormous diffuser among many other added elements. Dallara says it produces 2,756 pounds of downforce at its top speed of 178 mph.

The neat thing about this Stradale-to-EXP exterior turnabout is that the entire package is modular. You can transform the EXP into the Stradale and back again if you so choose. Buyers in the U.S. are better off just sticking with the EXP configuration, though, because the Stradale is not federalized. That means the EXP will be for track-use-only here.

The Ford 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is still being used as the power source, but it’s making significantly more power than it does in the Stradale. Output is raised to 492 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, and the 0-62 mph time is now 3.2 seconds. Shifting is done via a six-speed sequential gearbox. Dallara claims a dry weight of only 1,962 pounds, the true key to making the EXP as good as it is.

And that’s all Dallara is saying for now. Dallara claims its car laps Mugello in Italy quicker than GT3 competition cars, so there’s no doubt it’s a serious performer. Pricing isn’t out yet, and timing isn’t either. For some perspective, though, the street Stradale sells for about $200,000 (approximate U.S. dollar equivalent) in the places where you can buy it.

Related video:

Dallara Automobili Stradale

Image from Dallara

On November 16, 2017, after 45 years of constructing race cars and collaborating on some of the most iconic road cars, Dallara Automobili released their expression of what a road car should be.

Potent Pedigree

As sole chassis supplier for the IndyCar series and defacto winning platform used in competitive Formula car racing across Europe, Dallara is a juggernaut. One of the most prolific constructors in motorsport, Dallara has designed chassis or consulted in most classes of motorsport from Rally to Formula 1. Lancia, Ferrari, Maserati and numerous other marques competing at the highest levels of competition have trusted Gian Paolo Dallara and his concern to get them to the winner’s circle.

Less known than their racing accomplishments is Dallara’s involvement in some of the most iconic road cars. Prior to starting Dallara Automobili Gian Paolo was technical director at Lamborghini Automobili, leaving his impression on the 350 GT, Espada, and legendary Miura. His company helped design modern legends including the KTM X-Bow, Bugatti Veyron and Chiron, the Maserati MC12 and Alfa Romeo 8C amongst others. No doubt their experience collaborating on these greats helped to pinpoint what they wanted out of their own creation.

“The Pursuit of Excellence”

With a strong admiration for Colin Chapman’s philosophies on vehicle design, Gian Paolo designed the Stradale as a true driver’s car.

Chassis & Suspension

Dallara Stradale carbon fibre chassis and front suspension.Dallara Stradale carbon fibre chassis and front suspension.

Image from Automotive Press

For Dallara, only a light and stiff carbon fiber chassis would do for the ultimate driver’s car., helping to achieve the scant dry weight of 1885 lb. The suspension is a standard race-layout with double wishbones front and rear.

Keeping everything in check are dampers developed by the Dutch specialist Tractive Suspension. At the top of the range, Tractive provides a height-adjustable package with compression and separate high/low-speed rebound adjustment. A collaboration with Bosch gifts the Stradale with an extensive but unobtrusive ESP 9.1 stability program.

Body

Blue Dallara Stradale with optional wing and Bosch livery.Blue Dallara Stradale with optional wing and Bosch livery.

Image from Bosch

A balance of form and function, the Stradale’s shape was penned by the Italian automotive design firm Granstudio with functionality driven by CFD and wind tunnel development. Dallara reports the shape will generate over 1800 lb of downforce!

Uniquely, the Stradale is available as a Barchetta (no doors, no windshield), Roadster (windshield, no doors), Targa (windshield, t-frame) or Coupe (windshield, t-frame +2 doors). Granstudio showcases the evolution of the design in this slideshow.

Cockpit

Dallara Stradale cockpit/interior viewDallara Stradale cockpit/interior view

Image from Dallara

The interior is as spartan as the curb-weight dictates, with not much more than the essentials. With the fixed seating position the controls adjust to the driver through a movable pedal box and adjustable steering column. Steering is unassisted, the dash and wheel would be at home on any contemporary GT race car.

Engine

Perhaps the most conventional part of the Stradale is its powerplant. Equipped with a Bosch-tuned 2.3l Ford Ecoboost engine the driver can unleash up to 400HP, moving the featherweight to 60 MPH in just 3.25 seconds and ultimately to over 173 MPH.

2.3l Ford Ecoboost engine for the Dallara Stradale2.3l Ford Ecoboost engine for the Dallara Stradale

Image from Automotiv Presse

Driving Impressions

Since its release, last year videos have revealed details of a driving experience that most of us can only dream of being a part of.

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Specifications

  • Horsepower: 400 hp
  • Torque: 369 lb-ft
  • 0-60 mph: 3.25 seconds
  • Top Speed: 173 mph
  • Weight: 1,885 lbs

Lamborghini introduces Huracan Super Trofeo EVO

It’s been a few years since Lamborghini debuted its Huracán LP620-2 Super Trofeo racecar for its one-make series, but that car still looks ferocious. Now, Lamborghini has made some updates to the car, and announced that the Huracán Super Trofeo EVO will be taking to the track in spring 2018.

The EVO is mechanically the same, but includes a number of visual and aerodynamic updates. The new body kit, designed by Centro Stile Lamborghini and Dallara Engineering, maintains the same amount of downforce, but decreases resistance to make the car more efficient and stable at speed.

Next year, all cars competing in the European, Asian and North American series of Lamborghini Super Trofeo will use the EVO configuration. The Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO is priced at $295,000, but current Huracán Super Trofeo owners will be able to purchase the body kit to upgrade their existing car.

In addition to the launch of the updated racecar, Lamborghini Squadra Corse announced a partnership with Swiss watchmaker Roger Dubuis, so we can expect tie-ins between the two brands. The new (and pretty wild) livery on the Huracán Super Trofeo EVO includes Roger Dubuis branding. Roger Dubuis has also launched a limited edition of Excalibur Aventador watches.