As prestigious as a large elite saloon should be but as roomy and adaptable as a true MPV. This, in essence, is the spirit of the Lancia Phedra, which comes to the Bologna Motor Show in a new body colour, Golden White.

This is a warmly sophisticated pearl white colour, that clothes shapes with great panache and points up the styling of the Lancia MPV.

In addition, a warmly elegant shade of grey, Rossini Grey, will be available from the beginning of next year. An expression of the Italian art of good living so ably demonstrated by the Lancia Thesis, the Phedra shares certain styling traits with it.

Such as its big vertical grille or cosseting interior environment so gratifying to the eye and the touch that has been lovingly detailed and arranged to promote a convivial travelling atmosphere.

Like the Thesis, the Lancia Phedra has also learnt a lot from the Dialogos, the concept car that was the first to envisage a car passenger compartment as ideal microclimate, living-room and stress-free drive.

All this means comfortable, cosy interiors trimmed in Alcantara or leather and a multizone automatic climate control system (standard throughout the range) that maintains different temperatures for driver and passengers. All this plus a host of devices developed to make driving easier.

Including Xenon headlights with automatic alignment corrector and automatic headlights that come on as dusk falls or as the car enters a tunnel. Plus automatic windscreen wipers that come into play when starts to rain, proximity sensors that aid parking manoeuvres and deflation sensors that let the driver know when a tyre is punctured or flat.

Lastly, Cruise Control allows the driver to maintain an automatic cruising speed without pressing the accelerator. Plenty of comfort, and also plenty of practicality.