Mumbai: Italian automaker Lancia plans to launch the new medium-sized saloon Delta soon, which combines the elegance of a sports car with the ineriors of a saloon. Designed by the Lancia Style Centre, the Delta continues the tradition of the great Lancias including the Aprilia, the Appia, the Fulvia, the Beta, the Prisma, the Dedra and the stylish Lybra - and makes a comeback to the medium-sized saloon segment.

The car has a wheelbase of 2.7 metres  and the exterior dimensions include the length at 4.5 metres, width of 1.8 metres and height of 1.5, ensuring extraordinary roominess for this category. It will be offered in more than 1000 customized combinations and will feature two new engines, a 165 bhp 2.0 Multijet and a 190 bhp Twin Turbo Multijet, as well as a 200 bhp 1.8 Di Turbojet.

All engines are turbocharged and paired with 6-speed gearboxes (manual, robotised or automatic). Along with the two new engines, three engines will be available immediately at the launch. 120 bhp and 150 bhp 1.4 Turbo Jet (both petrol-driven) and a 120 bhp 1.6 turbodiesel MultiJet (Euro 5) that will also be combined with an advanced robotised gearbox.

The Lancia Delta diesel engines are innovative and enviromental friendly and is already compliant to the future Euro 5 regulation.

The front end of the Lancia Delta is characterised by an imposing grille, an emblem of the brand. A finely sculpted bonnet and the smooth lines of the wing flow harmoniously to this point while the car's dynamism is enhanced by a generous lower air intake that speaks volumes about the temperament of the Lancia Delta's engine. Innovative headlights have been chosen to emphasise the sporty, high-tech appearance of the model, that are enhanced by a row of LEDs on the lower profile.

The same dynamism is evident at the side, where the main theme is a high waist line and trapezoid-shaped rear pillar providing a natural support for the light-drenched Granluce roof (a nautically-inspired flying bridge). The generous glazed roof – with its pillars diverging in distinctive manner toward the rear – ends in a spoiler that blends perfectly into the original wraparound rear window that features an up-to-date design without any surround structure.

Salient features include a roof made out of special sound-absorbent material (termed a Noise Absorbing Roof) that guarantees very low driving noise levels while great brightness is guaranteed by oceans of glass at the sides and, where fitted, an enormous sun-roof that takes up 80 per cnet of the total area. Everything is made even more exclusive by top-quality material,- from leather to Alcantara – used for the interior trim and the presence of an imposing dashboard made out of Benova, an innovative and distinguished product made of polyurethane that conveys the same tactile and visual sensations as real leather.

As an option, it is also possible to choose superb quality upholstery in Poltrona Frau grosgrain leather, a touch of exclusivity that combines Lancia class with one of the most famous Italian designer labels in the world: the final result is a life-enhancing environment with a very hand-crafted look.

The extraordinarily stylish interiors are complemented by instruments with a pronounced hi-tech look: one example is a good-looking central console that seems to float like some fantastic high-tech plate on the underlying surface - and the white lighting of the console that emphasises the original 3-D look keys. And more: All parts used for driving – console, steering wheel, climate control and infotainment features display the same colour treatment and material use, with a high-tech metallic effect that is evident over the entire dashboard. The chrome detailing on the controls and the stylish steering wheel (reminiscent of the historical four-spoke version) are an expression of unmistakeable Lancia class.

An interesting featureof the Delta is the ectronic variable damping suspension system  (Reactive Suspension System) that considerably improves driving comfort while filtering out more vibrations over uneven road surfaces. It also further emphasises driving satisfaction by improving handling under all conditions (the system automatically adjusts ride according to the type of road and the driving stresses).

The Delta's array of equipment is complemented by a semi-automatic parking system that controls steering, leaving the driver the task of operating the brake and throttle to complete the manoeuvre - and a 'Driving Advisor' system that acts on the steering wheel to warn the driver he is about to stray over the edge of the lane. The aim of all these devices, in short, is to simplify and improve the driving experience. All together they may be encapsulated by the description 'VIP Driving'.

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