Back when Japanese automakers like Mitsubishi and Subaru were still making awkward little econo-boxes, the Lancia Delta Integrale was the king of the hill on the rally circuit, kicking up dirt and taking championships in resplendent Martini livery. So when the Italian automaker revealed the new Delta, nostalgic rally fans began twitching with excitement.
Although Lancia has yet to reveal any plans to make a high-performance version of the new Delta, one such rally fan has drawn up his impression of what form such a gravel-chomping beast could look like. For our part, we're hoping Lancia will take note and give us a new Integrale, complete with jumbo-turbo power and all-wheel-drive... however unlikely that may seem while sister company Abarth runs the IRC circuit with their pumped-up Super2000 Puntos. Until that day comes, European customers will have to make do with the current front-drive 200hp 1.8-liter turbo to satisfy their longing for the good old days.
According to Olivier Francois, Chief Executive Officer of Lancia, Richard Gere was chosen for a recent ad for the Lancia Delta because he "is not merely a fine actor; not merely one of the most famous men in the world. He is a man with a great difference: the ability to combine talent, fame and style with great character. I'm talking about his commitment to peace." That affinity for peace stretches especially towards the people of Tibet, a people who's autonomy from China Gere supports.
This commercial, which you can watch after the break, features Gere driving a new Lancia Delta from Hollywood to Tibet in just 30 seconds and aired in Italy. After reports of the commercial appeared in Chinese newspapers, China was apparently none too happy about it. Fiat has decided to apologize, with a company spokesman saying, "Fiat Group extends its apologies to the Government of the People's Republic of China and to the Chinese people."
Our opinion? Gere's alright in Pretty Woman, but not much else after that. Apologies are usually pretty lame, but we'd appreciate one for Gere's horrible singing in Chicago as long as they are being handed out so freely. And how 'bout one for that Lancia's front end?
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The 2003 Lancia Fulvia Coupe concept that tantalized showgoers at the Frankfurt Motor Show with its crisp lines that strongly evoked its namesake predecessor was presumed dead after Fiat canned the idea due to financial woes and want of a modern platform. It seems that plans for a new coupe carrying the Lancia badge is resurgent inside Fiat, though the clearly retro styling of the 2003 concept will likely fall by the wayside instead of getting mired in a retro rut.
It's rumored that we'll see a Fulvia riding atop the MiTo's chassis at this year's Paris Motor Show. Rather than relying on the work of 40 years past, the new Fulvia will share nothing but a name with its predecessor. The car may follow the current trend of other Euro coupes and incorporate a folding hardtop, but there are conflicting reports that it may also be a conventional fixed-head-coupe. We certainly wouldn't complain about giving the MiTo an appropriate coupe roofline, so please send some our way.
The new Lancia Delta has been spotted at a photo shoot, and this blogger thinks it's a mighty find looking car. The production version of the Lancia Delta HPE Concept that debuted at the 2006 Paris Auto Show, was apparently considered a disappointment, and the lines haven't really changed.
The car has traces of some recent Ford (of Europe, of course) products, such as the Verve and Fiesta, but that doesn't make it any less beautiful, and remember the concept car was out two years ago. The Delta, at about 4.5 meters long, 1.8 meters wide and 1.5 meters tall, is meant to challenge the Audi A3 and VW Golf, and will get turbocharged engines from 120 hp up to 200 hp. It looks like Lancia will be the last Fiat brand and take the longest to return to former glory, but this is a fine start.
Zagato's designs aren't for everyone. Just as well, because they're not available to everyone, usually costing a fair penny and produced in very limited numbers. This example, however, takes the love-it-or-hate-it approach to new (or rather, old) extremes. Lancia created just 626 examples of this Zagato-designed coupe between 1963 and 1967, of which only a few reportedly remain in good condition today. (It's not quite as rare as the Lancia Zagato we brought you a couple of weeks ago, but still a genuine collector's item.) This one was made in 1965, and after failing to sell on eBay, it has now been posted on the Seattle Craigslist, for sale in Ventura, California.
The aluminum bodywork may not be the prettiest at the ball, particularly with the stock steel wheels, but you're not likely to pull up next to another one at an intersection. Back in its day, it actually sold for double the price of a Jaguar XKE, and the seller claims it's worth twice the asking price. If you've got thirty grand and quirky taste, check it the photos in the gallery below and details on the eBay auction page.
Zagato is an ambitious carrozzeria, venturing to reinterpret Ferraris, Maseratis and most recently a Bentley Continental GT Speed with its own unique bodywork. Its latest unveiling, however, eclipses the ambition of them all. Based only on a couple of faded photographs, current director Andrea Zagato set out to recreate the 1938 coachbuilt roadster that his grandfather Ugo crafted based on the versatile 1938 Lancia Aprilia chassis. Only three or four were originally built, none of which are still around today.
The curvaceous bodywork of the Zagato Lancia Aprilia Sport is beaten by hand in the traditional methods. Power is provided by a miniscule Aprilia VR-4 motorcycle engine that produces just 48 hp at 4300 rpm, propelling the neo-classic spider to a top speed of 126 km/h – that's just 78 mph, but it's bound to feel a whole lot faster with the wind in your hair. You're not likely to experience that thrill, however, as only nine will be built at a price of €150,000 apiece.
We're a peace-lovin' bunch here at Autoblog, but truth be told, we love it when the British and the Italians fight. Conflict between these two automaking nations has produced such rivalries as Ferrari vs. McLaren, Aston Martin vs. Maserati and Alfa Romeo vs. Jaguar. Lately the duel has been downsized considerably, but got ever more ferocious when the Fiat Group decided that it wouldn't let the MINI have the retro-hatch niche all to itself anymore. And so we got the Fiat 500, followed by the recently-released Alfa Mi.To. But lest you think the Italians would sit back and watch their newest style-mobiles eat away at the MINI, they are, in fact, preparing yet another one: the new Lancia Ypsilon.
The upcoming Ypsilon will follow the new Delta – unveiled in Geneva just a few weeks ago – in Lancia's ambitious rejuvenation campaign. It is tipped to be based on the same mechanicals as the Alfa Mi.To – that is, a modified Fiat Grande Punto platform with a range of gasoline and diesel fours – but with distinct styling, including the iconic Lancia grille flanked by slanted LED headlights and two-tone paint schemes. You can bet that Frank Stephenson – the man responsible for designing the MINI, the 500 and, as head of Alfa's centro stile, the new Mi.To – will have plenty of input in the upcoming Lancia's design, as well. The new Ypsilon is anticipated to make its debut next year at one of the major shows (Geneva '09 would be a good bet) and go in sale in Europe shortly thereafter.
With Maserati returning to profitability, Alfa Romeo continuously unveiling the most masterful of automotive creations, Ferrari back to winning world championships, Fiat rising like a phoenix from the proverbial ashes, and even Abarth coming into its own, Lancia remains the last member of the Fiat family in need of rejuvenation. But the quirky auto marque took a giant leap today in Geneva with the unveiling of the new Delta.
Based on a modified Fiat Bravo platform and previewed by the Delta HPE concept of Paris 2006, the new Lancia Delta wasn't just the focus of Lancia's presence at the closest major auto show to its home market, it was all they brought. And they brought five of 'em, making a dramatic, (literally) fully orchestrated debut on the Geneva show floor. The styling may be a love or hate it affair, but it has been irrefutably well executed in a classy package that is sure to win hearts. Exactly how many remains to be seen, as Lancia pins its hopes for rejuvenation on the new Delta, but if the positive impression it made here in Switzerland is any indication, the Fiat Group could very well have another successful rebirth on its hands.
It'd be far too easy to dismiss the Lancia Delta over here. Made by a quirky and obscure division of Fiat, Lancia hasn't sold vehicles in the United States since 1982. Although the Italian automaker has a rich history, its current models are rather strange and mostly undesirable. But this is the vehicle that could bring them back, launching Lancia back into a period of prosperity with exciting new models to come.
Ahead of its unveiling in Geneva, Lancia has released a whole mess of details on the new Delta, based closely on the Delta HPE concept from Paris 2006. Power will come from 1.4-liter TurboJet engines with either 120 or 150 horsepower, or a 120-hp 1.6-liter MultiJet turbodiesel, mated to six-speed transmissions in either manual, semi-automatic or automatic versions. Once the Delta is more established in the market, Lancia plans to offer a 2.0L 165-hp MultiJet turbodiesel, a 1.9-liter Mutlijet twin-turbodiesel and an all-new 1.8-liter Turbojet gasoline engine that could become the Delta Integrale with all-wheel-drive.
Before the Delta is unveiled in Geneva, computer gamers will get a preview of the new model at the "Lancia Village" on the Second Life computer simulator. We'll be on hand at the show to bring you more, but in the meantime, check out the extended press release after the jump and the additional images in the gallery below.
The rumor-mill is churning away again over the anticipated return of the Alfa Romeo Duetto. It could be a couple more years before the Duetto hits the road, but when it does, the new convertible is anticipated to target the Mazda MX-5 and form an integral part of Alfa Romeo's return to the American market.
Since the Fiat Group doesn't have any new small convertibles on which to base the Duetto, the Alfa roadster is tipped to be based on the Fiat Bravo's platform. That means it will feature a range of turbocharged engines driving the front wheels, but could get the performance-oriented all-wheel-drive system reportedly being developed for the Bravo platform. The AWD system is also rumored to be featured on a pair of high performance premium hatchbacks from the Italian automaker: the Alfa 149 GTA and Lancia Delta Integrale.
