Eighty-Five Year Old Italian Carrozzeria Stola Builds Anniversary Limousine

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Italian coachwork company Stola has developed a special-edition limousine to mark their 85th anniversary. (Photo: Stola)

Stola has created a stretched version of Italian automaker Lancias luxurious Thesis sedan called the S85. (Photo: Stola)

The S85 takes advantage of the Lancias upscale styling to deliver a limousine thats got the looks to outclass nearly everything on the road. (Photo: Stola)

Stola has fully refurnished the interior of the S85 from its Lancia Thesis roots, to reflect a more luxurious, limousine-like atmosphere. (Photo: Stola)

The S85 can be outfitted with a multimedia office package that includes a small LCD display. (Photo: Stola)

Although prices havent been announced, Stola plans on producing the S85 on an individual basis. (Photo: Stola)

The Stola S85: A Maybach 62 for the Less Well-Heeled

For its 85th anniversary the Italian coachwork company Stola has developed a special-edition limousine. Stola is a company that works hand-in-hand with large automobile manufacturers to produced limited edition and special editions of various cars, like the carrozzerias of yesteryear that included such famous names as Bertone, Frua, Vignale and of course Karmann and Pininfarina, both of which are still doing strong business.

Just previously Stola introduced the S82 Spyder, a 450-hp twin-turbocharged version of Porsches Boxster hailed as a junior Carrera GT. Last year the S82 was massaged into the hardtop GTS, a 480-hp racer complete with a blue and orange Gulf Oil color scheme. The company has also produced dozens of concept cars and other production sports models from its inception way back in 1919 until the present.

This year is a bit of a different story, as Stola has created a stretched version of Italian automaker Lancias luxurious Thesis sedan called the S85. Is this just another humdrum limo conversion on a budget, or could it be a junior Maybach full of personality, character and flair?

The most important part about a limousine is the comfort of those who ride in back. Space, including the room to stretch out ones legs and arms is crucial, otherwise it just wouldnt be worthy of the limousine designation. The Thesis, Lancias largest car, receives a body stretch of 23.6 inches which brings it to a total length of nearly 18 feet. The extra length comes from a new section that has been installed between the front and rear doors, rather than a massive stretch of the cars rear doors as done in some long-wheelbase luxury sedans.

This middle segment has been seamlessly integrated into the Thesis body and contains a continuation of the cars flowing, curvaceous waistline. The Stola S85, complete with body strengthening materials needed to compensate for the structural rigidity lost when stretched, checks in with a dry weight of 4,475 pounds, which is quite light for such a grand car - a truly impressive feat.

Despite the fact that that the Thesis, the car that the S85 is based off of, is an entry-level luxury sedan, it looks tens of thousands more expensive than its price tag suggests. Its simply elegant and luxurious in appearance, featuring faceted headlamps, a hexagonal grille and flat-angle hood. The S85 takes advantage of the Lancias upscale styling to deliver a limousine thats got the looks to outclass nearly everything on the road bar Bentleys Arnage, Rolls Royces Phantom and Maybachs 57 or 62. It actually looks quite a bit similar to the latter.

The first model was presented at Geneva in a stunning two-tone scheme of black cherry and black, only accentuating the cars luxurious purpose. The S85 will ride on 18-inch lattice-spoke light alloy wheels wrapped in 245/45 ZR 18 performance rubber.

Aside from stretching the car, Stola has fully refurnished the interior to reflect a more luxurious, limousine-like atmosphere. The rear of the car has been modified with two bucket seats, divided by a plump center armrest, and trimmed in the finest leather. These seats electrically adjust as well.

Accenting the leather is fine wood trim, which has been installed on the console presented to the rear passengers. Curving around from both doors, it meets up with several storage cabinets. The center drawer folds down to display space for beverages, while the fold-out tray features cupholders. For those who spend as much time on the road as they do in their office, the S85 can be outfitted with a multimedia office package with a small LCD display, for sending and receiving e-mail and faxes, surfing the internet, playing CDs, DVDs, MP3s, or even video games. Ambient lighting creates a relaxed atmosphere for a stress free work environment.

Being that the S85 is a luxury vehicle rather than a sports car its mechanicals have been left alone. Just the same Stola picked out the most powerful engine from the Lancia lineup to ensure decent performance. Under the gothic front end lies a 3.2-liter V6 engine that generates 230 horsepower and 213 lb-ft of torque, which seems a little bit on the low side. The engine is mated to an automatic transmission that drives the front wheels.

Due to the S85s healthy curb weight and commonplace power supply its acceleration capability is surprising, with the sprint from zero to 60 mph taking only 9.2 seconds. While slower than most super luxury sedans, its plenty for everyday city and highway use. The S85s top speed is 143 mph. Stola plans on producing the S85 on an individual basis, with the option of an armored version. Prices have yet to be announced.