Lancia to introduce the new Delta mid-size saloon

05 June 2008

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.