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Lancia - an update

It is always interesting to hear what Lancia are up to. Having been absent from Australia for so long - in fact absent from all right hand drive markets full stop - the gap between the sort of cars they used to make and the cars they make now is getting wider and wider. One thing you cannot deny though is the amazing history of the company which celebrated 100 years in business this year. Lancia - as you would expect - have gone to town at the Geneva motor show to celebrate this milestone. At ItalianCar we still can't help yearning for a return to the good old days when Lancia made - in addition to a range of normal 'family' cars - one or two sports versions and one off sporty models that just kicked ass - on the roads and on the track. Confirmation of this fact is in the line up for Targa Tasmania this year - not a Ferrari in sight but there will be a Delta Integrale and a Beta HPE on the starting line!

Anyway - just to give you a flavour of what is going on in Italy, here is what Lancia tell us they are doing at the Geneva motor show this year:

Lancia at the 76th Geneva International Motor Show
Lancia celebrates 100 years of history

The 76th Geneva Motor Shows officially inaugurates the celebrations for Lancia's centenary. It is an extraordinary milestone, shared with only a small number of carmakers, for which the brand has created a stand on which the worlds of design, fashion and the cinema coexist, three contexts in which the brand will be present this year with important initiatives to mark its Centenary.

For example, Lancia will be a Major Sponsor of the Venice Film Festival, and will be at the 'Moda Milano' fashion event with a fleet of one hundred suitably personalised Ypsilons, at the disposal of the models on the catwalk at the fashion shows programmed for February, June and September. The design world is represented by the two-tone models, a stylistic feature that has often been adopted on Lancia models.

The Geneva stand celebrates the brand's 100 years of history with an evocative display, mixing historical cars with new versions from today's range, and projecting period films and advertisements for the latest models on the screens. It is all designed to make sure the public is aware not only of its great history - with cars and personalities, races and engines that have been milestones of technology and racing throughout the 20th century - but also of its clear intention to continue to play a leading role in the future. This is the best demonstration of the vitality of a brand which, in a century of history, has maintained its identity as a manufacturer of cars that embody comfort, elegance and cutting-edge technology. And Lancia will tackle the coming years with the same spirit and aims, continuing to propose superb new models.

One of the attractions of the stand at Geneva will be the Lancia Ypsilon MOMO Design, which confirms the car's gutsy but trendy personality. It was developed jointly by Lancia and the MomoDesign Styling Centre, which share a commitment to innovation in design, the use of cutting edge materials and attention to detail.

A Lancia show-car will also be on the stand, derived from the Ypsilon and sporting the logo of the Moda Milano fashion event, with attractive black bodywork. Light effects and contrasts inspired by the world of fashion design set off the interior that is elegantly furnished with a combination of precious Alcantara upholstery and soft, luxurious black leather. The Lancia Ypsilon Moda Milano is a haute couture outfit, designed by the Lancia Styling Centre and a team of fashion stylists, and developed with the collaboration of Alcantara, Crystal Label and AT+T. A unique product with a daring look, which could have other developments in the future.

Another attraction on the stand will be the 'Centenary' editions of the Musa and Ypsilon, the brand's tribute to its best tradition - the same tradition that guides its stylists and designers today in their daily work - but also to its natural vocation to offer equipment, technology and engines that are always on the cutting edge. As a result, the exclusive Centenary edition, with its unmistakable two-tone paintwork and the original commemorative logo on the pillar, highlights the sophisticated technology of the compact Musa and Ypsilon: from the revolutionary 1.3 Multijet engines (described as the 'engine of 2005'), to the innovative DFN gearbox, huge Gran Luce sunroof and Bose® stereo system.

Both models sport the original Centenary logo: the number 1 followed by '8' which recalls both a double zero and the symbol of infinity. A strong symbol that embraces the past, the present and the future, because celebrating a century of life is not a nostalgic re-evocation, but a departure towards new challenges; this is the concept conveyed by the stand in Geneva, which is packed full of novelties but also 'proudly' evocative.

Two-tone paintwork, a feature of great cars of the past, now returns on the latest Lancia models thanks to a special long painting process: Lancia offers what was once an 'artisan' feature available to a chosen few, on its 'pocket flagships', the Musa and Ypsilon. Thanks to the heritage of values that are part of its genes, Lancia is in a better position than most to respond to the needs of a clientele looking for high technology but also aware of the value of tradition, who want 'substance' from their cars, but also exclusiveness and prestige.

The equation 'elegance and innovation' is epitomised by the Lancia Thesis, the flagship in which Lancia interprets the theme of the large, prestigious saloon. The brand's 'chromosomes' are typically Italian craftsmanship, and the capacity to give a new look to the most advanced technologies. For example, in the well-being that is guaranteed by quality materials used not only for their stylistic effect but also for the sensory pleasure they impart. Or in a more advanced approach to information and telematic technology, which enables the Lancia Thesis to satisfy occupants' desires immediately by adapting to the motorist and not the other way round.

The Lancia Thesis addresses the most demanding market bracket, customers who want complete control of the comfort and onboard activities even when they are not driving: from the layout of the interior space to the climate, the use of instruments to communicate with the outside world, and access to the media, whether for work or for pleasure.
Visitors to the Geneva stand can admire the latest version of this model, equipped with a new 185 bhp 2.4 Multijet engine, with new, even more refined interiors and original exterior features.

In keeping with the 'vintage' context of the stand, Lancia is also exhibiting four extraordinary historical cars which recall four important moments in the brand's long and glorious history: a Beta Torpedo 15 HP, an Aurelia GT B24 Spider, a Fulvia Coupé 1.2 (first series) and a Delta HF integrale EVO Martini gr.4. These cars have been immortalised by Fulvio Bonavia, one of the most famous Italian photographers, who created the calendar '1906-2006: Once upon a time …' in which a century of automotive creations from Lancia are combined with 'fairy-tale inventions'.

Still on the theme of 'cinema and fashion', which runs through the Lancia stand, in one area films and design items recall the years of the 'Dolce Vita', when Federico Fellini's 'paparazzi' were the stars of wild Roman nights, ready to 'steal' pictures, stories and sensations to sell to the press. It was the late Fifties and Rome was the capital of the cinema and the international jet set: Via Veneto came alive, the chic bars and luxury hotels were full of actors and writers, while politicians and VIPs met at the tables of the 'in' places. A kaleidoscope of language and music, perfume and colour. And the legendary Lancia Aurelia B24 driven by Vittorio Gassman raced across the cinema screens in Dino Risi's film 'Il Sorpasso' (1962). The 1950s were also an unrepeatable moment for motoring history. Lancia was undisputed leader among the carmakers for the class, elegance and sporty nature of its models. They were called the Ardea, Aurelia and Appia, and they sped down the roads of Europe with style, refinement and sensuality, like primadonnas of the cinema.

But the years of the 'Dolce Vita' were also the years in which Italian fashion began to make a name for itself in the world. What we now call 'Italian Glamour' was born in those years, when the aesthetics of daily life, quality food and wine, good taste, imagination and 'savoir-vivre' began to take hold. But above all class, charm and elegance. That Italian elegance which is the foundation and hallmark of the Lancia philosophy, and which we find in its most recent creations.

The best example of the 'Italian art of living' is the Lancia Phedra Emblema, which is on show in Geneva in a 6-seater version equipped with the powerful 128 bhp 2.2 JTD engine. Standing next to the two 'Centenary' models, the prestigious people-mover is 'dressed' in elegant, sophisticated Rossini Grey, which is set off perfectly by beige leather upholstery inside. The model has a muted interior environment, which is a pleasure to look at and touch, with every detail perfectly finished, to produce a companionable ambience, protected by an array of safety equipment (in 2004 the car received the 5-star Euro NCAP rating), and the best comfort and telematic features in its segment. Plenty of comfort and stylistic refinement, but also class-beating performance delivered by the engines: a 108 bhp 2.0 JTD 16v (available with hydraulic automatic transmission) and a 128 bhp 2.2 JTD 16v, a particularly brilliant turbodiesel that guarantees an entertaining drive in all situations, combined with low running costs.

Lancia Thesis

The Lancia Thesis 2006
The next car on the catwalk in Geneva is the new Thesis 2006 that combines sportiness and elegance to produce unique, exclusive styling. On the outside, the car's refined metallic grey paintwork sets off the lines of the Lancia flagship beautifully. And the design of the 18" ray effect alloys is very eye-catching, highlighting the sporty impression of this particular version.

The same impression is repeated on the inside, which is furnished with new Frau® red leather upholstery with coordinated details. The original Thesis 2006 is on exactly the same wavelength as the Lancia flagship, a luxury saloon that captures the attention of elite motorists with its elegance and cutting-edge technology. This is a particular segment of the market with a small number of models where the most important carmakers concentrate the best automotive technology on the market today. For this reason the Thesis 2006 is equipped with the new 2.4 Multijet 20-valve engine which, combined with a self-adaptive sequential 5-speed automatic transmission, delivers 185 bhp at 4000 rpm and peak torque of 330 Nm at 1500 rpm. What is more, with this power pack the car reaches a top speed of 225 km/h and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 10.2 seconds. Of course the car exhibited on the Lancia stand is equipped with all the strong points that the Thesis offers, from the lavish array of standard safety equipment (ABS with EBD, ESP complete with ASR, 8 airbags) to the luxurious, large, protective passenger compartment, which features the sophisticated Connect Nav+ infotelematic system, a Bose Hi-Fi system, multi-zone automatic climate control and Comfort front seats (ventilated, heated and adaptive, with built-in squab and cushion massage), which are the state of the art in terms of comfort and ergonomics. The car is also equipped with an anti-lift volumetric antitheft system with alarm, a television and parking sensors.

The Lancia calendar with the 'queens of the past'
Lancia is exhibiting four extraordinary historical cars at the Geneva Motor Show, to recall four important moments in the brand's long and glorious history: the Beta Torpedo 15 HP, Aurelia GT B24 Spider, Fulvia Coupé 1.2 (first series) and Delta HF integrale EVO Martini gr.4. These cars were immortalised by Fulvio Bonavia, one of the best-known Italian photographers, in the calendar '1906-2006: Once upon a time …' with which Lancia inaugurated the celebrations for its centenary year.

Designed by the Armando Testa agency, the calendar considers one hundred years of Lancia automotive creations, combining them with 'fairy-tale inventions'. The result is an extraordinary gallery of pictures in which the attractive Beta Torpedo challenges the beauty of Snow White, the Aurelia GT tells the story of Cinderella's dream, the Aurelia Spider dispatches Little Red Riding Hood's wolf, and the Fulvia flies with Hook and Peter Pan. Then there is the Delta Rally that receives the kiss of victory like the Frog Prince, and the Ypsilon that enters Alice's Wonderland. On every page the magical styling of the Lancia cars combines with the fairy-tale characters and atmosphere, and the enchanted landscapes of the poetic narrative is interwoven with a legendary history of cars and designers, races and engines that have been milestones in technical progress and racing throughout the 20th century.

It was 1906 when Vincenzo Lancia wrote the first page of the amazing adventure that would involve thousands of people over the years - technicians, workers, managers - in the plants, offices and the racing world. And with them, the many Lancia customers: passionate, demanding, in love with beauty, but also well informed about the most sophisticated technologies. Here we find the roots of the inimitable personality that enables us to immediately distinguish a Lancia car from all the others on the road. And today, the fantasy world of the fairy-tale and the real world of Lancia meet in Fulvio Bonavia's photographs, which highlight the ways that both have brought the dreams of whole generations to life with great artistic sensitivity.

The Beta Torpedo 15 HP of 1909
The car was a success on the market and 150 were built in 1909 alone; it was used in races and took outright third place in the Targa Florio in 1909. That same year, driven by W.L. Stewart, it set a speed of 106.22 km/h at the British circuit of Brooklands. The car on show in Geneva is powered by a straight-4, 3117 cc monobloc engine that delivers a maximum power output of 34 bhp at 1850 rpm and has a top speed of 95 km/h.

The Aurelia Gran Turismo 2500 Spider of 1955
A total of 761 were manufactured between 1954 and 1958; the car was the result of one of Pinin Farina's most classical and attractive designs, and the designer himself described it as the prototype Italian convertible, commonly known as the B 24. It had its preview in a pre-production version in June 1954, and made its official debut on the international stage at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1955. The Aurelia Gran Turismo 2500 Spider was destined primarily for the American market, but with a few small changes it was a success on all markets. We should remember that the Spider was the original version, whereas the second series was known as the Convertible 'tipo America', because of the success it enjoyed on that market. Equipped with a 2451 cc 6-cylinder engine in a 60° Vee that delivered a maximum of 118 bhp at 5300 rpm, the Aurelia Gran Turismo 2500 Spider had a top speed of 180 km/h.

The Fulvia Coupé 1st series (1967)
The coupé version of the Fulvia was presented in 1965. The styling by Piero Castagnero was extremely modern: a slender, sleek car with generous glazing and a Cd of 0.39. It was initially equipped with a 1216 cc 4-cylinder engine in a narrow 13° Vee delivering 79 bhp at 6000 rpm, with a top speed of 160 km/h (and subsequently by the more powerful 1300 and 1600 engines), and guaranteed agility and handling that the saloon could not match, partly because the wheelbase was 15 centimetres shorter and the weight was considerably lower.

The more powerful, but lighter HF and Sport Zagato versions were developed to compete in rallies, and they won thousands of victories, the most famous being the 1972 Monte Carlo Rally, and the outright victory that same year in the F.I.A. Cup, which later became the World Rally Championship. The revamped second series was presented in 1969 with the engine capacity increased to 1298 cc, the wheelbase extended by 20 mm and more harmonious lines and volumes; the engine delivered 85 bhp and the car had a top speed of 168 km/h. By the time production terminated in 1976 with the Coupé 3, a total of about 140,000 had been built in eleven years.

The Delta HF integrale EVO Martini gr.4 (1992)
A car that needs no introduction. Its story began in the Autumn of 1979 when the Lancia Delta was launched with huge success (voted Car of the Year 1980). The merit went to its beautiful line, compact and highly innovative, designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, combined with the quality of the engineering and the materials adopted, and the excellent technical structure. But the public had its first glimpse of what was to become the most important version of this model at the 1982 Turin Motor Show, when a prototype four-wheel drive Delta was presented; this version anticipated the definitive version of 1986 known as the Delta HF 4WD, which had permanent four-wheel drive, and would remain in production until 1994, evolving over the years. It made its racing debut in the 1987 World Rally Championship and won the world title for six consecutive years, from 1987 to 1992, a record that is still unbeaten. The Delta HF integrale EVO Martini gr.4 (1992) was equipped with a straight-4, 16-valve engine with a turboblower (and a capacity of 1995 cc), which delivered an amazing 300 bhp, taking it to a top speed of over 215 km/h (depending on the ratios).

© italiancar.com.au 19/03/06