What Do You Say About This Modern Lancia Delta Integrale HF Study?

The Lancia Delta Integrale needs no presentation, as it is probably the brand’s most fabled mode. Unfortunately, the sorry state in which Lancia is right now doesn’t allow fans to hope for a modern day Delta Integrale, but that doesn’t mean they can’t dream about it.

Designer Angelo Granata from Italy has imagined a retro-styled contemporary Lancia Delta fitted with Fiat Group’s 1.75-liter turbocharged gasoline engine.

Granata describes his Lancia Delta Concept as a relatively simple design that reunites all the features that have fascinated Lancia fans in the past: sharp edges, aggressiveness, dynamics, all on a small and light car.

The front end of the car is unmistakably Lancia Delta, thanks to the double round headlights, the grille with the T-shaped motif and the “shark nose” that becomes more visible when viewed from the side. The study has a low, sleek profile that resembles a coupe, but offers the practicality of a five-door hatchback.

While the design is clearly a reinterpretation of the original Delta’s styling, the car is longer, wider and has an increased wheelbase. Only the height remains the same. The rear end is low and wide, while the taillights are a tribute to the original car but feature modern LED technology.

The designer says the car could be powered by Fiat’s 236hp 1.75-liter turbocharged gasoline engine mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and a four-wheel drive system. Granata theorizes that the car could sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 242 km/h (150 mph). All for a base price of €32,000 ($43,445) – always according to the designer.

By Dan Mihalascu

Designer: Angelo Granata

PHOTO GALLERY

Second Hand Lancia Thesis 2.0 Turbo for Sale in the USA

The Lancia Thesis is a weird looking car [ed. note: think beluga whale-weird], especially at a first glance, but once you look beyond the peculiar headlights and very slim rear lights, you’re left with a sleek shape, with bags of room inside and unmistakably Italian styling and design cues throughout.

Made between 2001 and 2009, none of these front-wheel drive sedans were officially exported to the United States, but wherever there’s an interest, an appropriate shipping container can be found, along with the paperwork to make registration possible.

That could be considered a disambiguation of the story behind this 2002 example for sale in Maryland - $6,800 is the price on Craigslist. It’s a 2002 model, equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine that makes 182 hp (not 215 as the Craigslist seller says) and a manual five-speed gearbox.

Originally, it could sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.9 seconds and went on to a top speed of 224 km/h or 139 mph. Moreover, this engine was actually a straight-five, and thus it also sounded pretty good when in thrash mode.

It comes finished in metallic green, and has the pleasant beige leather interior that doesn’t look all that worn. The interiors of Italian cars from the period are known to be a bit flaky, but this one seems fairly clean after 110,000 km or 68,350 miles.

There is a catch, though. Apparently, it can only “be sold to the members of the diplomatic or international organizations community in USA (UN, World Bank, IMF, OAM, etc) ONLY (diplomatic status A1, A2 or G1 visa) due to the import restrictions” – no private buyers allowed!

Scroll down to check out the photos, but don’t for a second take the seller’s word that this is similar to a Maserati Quattroporte – it’s not, but it is unique in many ways.

By Andrei Nedelea

PHOTO GALLERY

Ferrari Says No to Plans for Limited Production New Stratos

“Despite Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo’s excellent assessment of the New Stratos after his test drive at Fiorano, Ferrari does not consent to construction of the planned limited run by either Pininfarina or any other Ferrari-dependent suppliers.”
And with the above short statement, Ferrari announced to Michael Stoschek, the man behind the 21st century interpretation of the famous Lancia Stratos of the ‘70s, that it won’t let him use its chassis, engines nor allow any of its suppliers to participate in the build.

VIDEO: Michael Stoschek Takes his New Lancia Stratos out for Racing

Unlike many other exotic supercar owners, Michael Stroshek isn’t keen on letting his pride and joy pass its time as a fancy museum piece in a parking lot. The German owner of the much talked about one-off Lancia Stratos wants to enjoy his latest toy where it counts the most: on the race track.
In these latest videos, we see Stroshek taking the Pininfarina-built and Ferrari 430 Scuderia-based Stratos out for racing at the Circuit Spa Francorchamps in Belgium and at the Sachsen Rallyce 2011 in Germany. Hop the jump to see the 540-horsepower Stratos in action for yourself.

Lancia Releases More than 70 New Photos of the 2012 Ypsilon

In typical Fiat Group fashion, despite the fact that the new Lancia Ypsilon received its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show close to three months ago, the company waited until today to release a full gallery of pictures. There are more than 70 photographs showing the Italian supermini mostly in its natural habitat, the city. Along with the new images, Lancia also offered new information on its entry-level model, which will be launched from June in major European markets and from September in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it will wear the Chrysler logo.

Bertone Auctions Off Some of its Most Recognizable Concepts to Avoid Insolvency

Here lies Bertone, the famed Italian automotive design house, bankrupt and on almost on the verge of death. The once legendary company was forced to sell its most prized possessions – six concept cars – to appease the bankruptcy commission and also to remain afloat. RM Auctions of London handle the sale at this past weekend’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2011.
So what delectable concepts were the vultures able to get their beaks into? Well, there’s the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal that once graced the Monaco Grand Prix and is often cited as the inspiration for the Espada of the following year.

Fiat’s 0.9-Liter TwinAir Scoops the “International Engine of the Year 2011” Award

And the big winner of the 2011 edition of the coveted International Engine of the Year is…Fiat’s 0.9-liter twin-cylinder gasoline engine also known simply as the TwinAir. A jury comprised of 76 journalists and industry experts from 36 different countries were convinced by the 875 cc unit's low emissions, high fuel economy and impressive output for its size, awarding it four awards: “Best New Engine 2011”, “Best Green Engine 2011”, “Best Sub 1-Liter Engine” and the “International Engine of the Year 2011” overall award.

Yugo…Grale Replicates Lancia’s Iconic Delta HF Integrale [with Video]

If you grew up in the late 1980s or early 1990s and were an avid automotive enthusiast, chances are you fondly remember the great Delta HF Integrale, arguably the last super exciting (from a driver's perspective) Lancia model.
And while Lancia has turned a new page in its history, tending to the needs of customers enamored with fashion catwalks instead of rally courses, there are plenty of drivers out there who cherish the original spirit of the Italian brand. Some, however, have taken their love of Lancia to the extreme turning mundane Yugos, itself a by-product of the Fiat 127, into Integrale replicas.

Chrysler CEO Says Lancia Ypsilon Not Coming to the U.S. After All, while Compact Model is “Under Review”

Back in 2009, the Fiat and Chrysler alliance had revealed plans for the U.S. launch of a compact model based on the Lancia Delta in 2012 and a Chrysler-badged version of the Lancia Ypsilon in 2013.
Now it seems that the automaker has changed its strategy. At the New York Auto Show, Chrysler and Lancia brand president Olivier Francois told Car&Driver that the Ypsilon-based Chrysler model is dead for the U.S. as the company believes it is too similar with the Fiat 500, upon which the Lancia subcompact is based on, and could hurt its sales.

For the record, during a recent press event in Turin, Italy, a Lancia official told Carscoop that the Ypsilon U.S. launch would largely depend on the market's response to the Fiat 500.

Lancia Opens Order Book for Ypsilon, Prices Start at €12,400 ($17,890) in Italy

Starting from today, the all-new Lancia Ypsilon is available for order in Italy with first deliveries scheduled for June in major European markets and September for the Chrysler badged model that will be offered in the UK and Ireland.
Available for the first time in a five-door body style, the fourth generation Ypsilon will be offered in three trim levels (Silver, Gold and Platinum), 17 body colors (four of which are two-tone schemes), six different upholsteries, three types of alloy wheels and three engine choices. All of these options will allow for a total of 600 different model combos.

Fiat to Introduce Two New Dodge-Based Sedans in China and Russia by 2013

As time goes by, Fiat SpA’s integration with the Chrysler Group LLC deepens and the results become more evident with the two carmakers making several plans for the future. Speaking at Fiat's annual shareholders meeting on March 30, Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed plans to launch two new Dodge-based sedans in China and Russia.
The first sedan will be a compact model built on the next generation Dodge Caliber, which is expected in the USA next January. According to an Autonews report, this model will enter production in China in the second half of 2011, while timing for the Russian launch has not yet been disclosed. The other four-door saloon will be a mid-size model based on the replacement for the Dodge Avenger, which is scheduled for launch in the USA in 2013. It will go on sale in China and Russia the same year.

Just Like the Real Thing: Lancia Stratos Replica with Thema 8.32 V8

The Lancia Stratos HF is the other Italian supercar of the 1970s. It may not be as well loved as some of the other greats – Lamborghini’s Countach, Ferrari’s Daytona or Maserati’s Khamsin – but it still holds a special place in many enthusiasts’ hearts. So it should come as no surprise that Stratos replicas are somewhat prevalent, especially in Europe.
The ebay seller assures us the work was carried out by professionals (isn’t it always?) and -as usual- the vehicle is going for a lot less than its original asking price. The car is said to be built by a Mr. Bates who provided the chassis to UK “repli-car” kit manufacturer Hawk Cars. Perhaps coincidently, Hawk Cars also makes a Lancia Stratos replica kit.

First Interior Photos of Lancia’s Version of the Chrysler 300, the 2012 Thema

Even though Lancia's press site still has only one exterior photo of the Thema (who needs more when you can take a look at the Chrysler 300?), the Italians went straight to posting the first interior pictures of their American-sourced flagship sedan. If you like drama, don't read on, this isn't for you. Believe it or not –ahem- the 2012 Lancia Thema's interior looks exactly the same as Chrysler's.
Our “spot the differences” approach led to the conclusion that, Lancia logo aside, everything else in the cockpit is identical to what one can see in a Chrysler 300. Except of course the different leather upholstery and trim color scheme chosen for the photo shoot. The two sister cars share the blue-tone instrument panel lighting and the analogue clock as well, however, in this color and trim setup the Thema looks a bit more refined than its American counterpart.

New Ram Cargo Van is a 2012 Dodge Caravan for the Pro

The Chrysler Group’s Ram Truck division has lifted the wraps off its latest offering, the new Cargo Van or simply Ram C/V, which is nothing more than a 2012 Dodge Caravan in LCV guise with solid panels in the place of the rear windows and a flat load area.

Lancia’s Glitzy Ypsilon Promotional Videos

Lancia has released new videos of its 2012 Ypsilon, the posh supermini that made its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this week alongside the subtly revised Delta and the Chrysler-sourced Thema sedan, Grand Voyager MPV, and Fulvia Saloon and Convertible (the last two shown as concepts).
The videos clearly link the new Ypsilon to fashion and luxury, essentially building on the image created by the supermini’s predecessors. Although the outgoing Ypsilon was perceived more of a lady’s car, the automaker wants to send the message that its successor targets both hairdressers male and female buyers.