Geneva 2008: Lancia Delta

[Overheat]

Lancia has launched the Delta at Geneva.

The Delta is built on a lengthened version of the Fiat Bravo's underpinnings, putting it between the Golf/Astra/Focus C-segment and larger D-segment cars in size, although it has a five-door hatchback bodystyle rather than a saloon layout. Its bodywork and design is little changed from the Delta HPE concept seen at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, but with slight modifications to the front-end styling and additions including LED headlights.

Engines for the range are expected to range from 120bhp to over 200bhp, with powerful JTDm multi-jet diesels to feature; at a later date, there will be a new-age Delta Integrale, positioned as an Impreza STi/Evo X rival. Coupe-convertible and crossover variants are also said to be under consideration.

Equipment levels will be generous and the interior finish lavish, to put clear distance between the Delta and more mainstream Bravo. Specification will include electronic suspension damping control and leather/Alcantara upholstery as well as a top-end Bose hi-fi and the Blue&Me communications system.

Lancia will be relaunched as a 'luxury' brand in the Fiat Auto Group, with a series of new models on the way. Next year brings a new generation of the Ypsilon supermini (an upmarket version of the Fiat Grande Punto) and the Musa mini-MPV (Fiat Idea), but more exciting is the prospect of a new Aurelia. Lancia is said to be reviving this historic name from its back catalogue for a range-topping coupe-convertible based on the chassis of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione ; this will be developed as an Italian answer to the likes of the Mercedes SL and BMW 6-Series.

[eddysdaman]

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[watto]

Originally Posted by Overheat

at a later date, there will be a new-age Delta Integrale, positioned as an Impreza STi/Evo X rival.

Oh, that's risky... They either get it right or just get it totally and absolutely horribly rong...

[fbc]

My god, would you look at the nose on that thing - it needs two parking spaces.

Apart from that, I like it, though if they're planning on a new Integrale they'd better get it right.

[Overheat]

I personally think it's a disgrace to the Delta name

[Posmo]

Thats because it is a disgrace. They should have implemented some of the same sort of styling cues as the new mustang, modern, but classic at the same time. And please, a Delta should be a 4wd rally car with a turbo engine, not a hidious 4-door hatchback.

[niccce]

Spraypaint the badge, and i wouldn't be able to tell it from a Toyota. Or Ford. Or Hyundai.


Or Ssangyong.

eddysdaman gets +rep.

Geneva 08 commenting spree

[luvcars]

Can't they at least give all their cars new grilles?

I didn't think i would hate their new cars!

But I do!

Disgraceful!

[Leonidae]

Originally Posted by Overheat

=

[avanti]

thats one big hairy beaver!!!

[teeb]

I like the look of this thing, especially the back.

But I don't think Lancia should have called it the Delta - give it a new name, something that won't mean this new car, no matter how good, is bound to disappoint.

[bartboy9891]

Originally Posted by Posmo

Thats because it is a disgrace. They should have implemented some of the same sort of styling cues as the new mustang, modern, but classic at the same time. And please, a Delta should be a 4wd rally car with a turbo engine, not a hidious 4-door hatchback.

The Delta has always been a small hatch, the Integrale and Evolution models were the high performance ones.

This a first generation Lancia Delta from the early 80's


This is a second generation Delta from the 90's

[avanti]

Originally Posted by Posmo

... not a hidious 4-door hatchback.

the delta has always been a 4-door hatchback.... And as bart pointed out Lancia made Deltas for several years before the Integrale came, in fact most of the Deltas on the road today are non-integrales...

[amdforever]

Ugly, but can you imagine seeing this on the road though?

It seriously look light-years ahead of everything else right now!