|
Perfectly stylistic balance for
a Lancia of the future
|
|
The new Delta,
Designed by the Lancia Style Centre, continues the tradition
of the great Lancias: the Aprilia, the Appia, the Fulvia,
the Beta, the Prisma, the Dedra and lastly the Lybra – and
makes a comeback to the medium-sized saloon segment with
record-breaking comfort: the exterior dimensions – length of
4.5 metres, width of 1.8 metres and height of 1.5 combined
with an impressive wheelbase of 2.7 metres, ensure
extraordinary roominess for this category.
Lancia dug deep into its reserves of creativity and
production know-how to create this unique and exclusive car.
The same proud lineage has brought us cars that have written
the history of the motor car. Such as the Lambda, the first
car in the world with a load-bearing body and independent
front suspension. Or the Aprilia that boasted a Cd of 0.47
at the beginning of the 19030s when the average value for
cars of the period was 0.60. Or the Aurelia, that concealed
beneath its bonnet the first narrow V six cylinder engine
ever fitted to a standard production car.
Cars that shine
because they represent a blend of contemporary technological
innovation and the sheer quality of an unmistakably élite
lifestyle. And now it is the turn of the Delta to take up
the baton and carry forward the qualities of Elegance and
Temperament that have been part of the Lancia heritage for
more than a century.
Italian style for a new
medium-sized saloon concept
The Lancia Delta is a superlative exponent of Italian design
and stands out amidst the current automotive scenario for
the good looks of its exterior shape that is up-to-date,
finely wrought and marked by an unmistakeable Italian
flavour.
The front end of the Lancia Delta is mettlesome and
imposing, emphasised by its wing volumes and 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.
Everything is made even more sporty and high-tech by
innovative headlights, veritable gems of design and
engineering, adorned by a row of LEDs at 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 with its clear nautical inspiration. This sun-roof
takes up the entire surface of the roof (1.46 square metres)
and features a total glass effect that also extends to the
fixed finish elements. With its 0,7 m2 of glazed area, the
Granluce offers outstanding brightness and sets the Delta at
the top of its category for this attribute.
The car’s slender lines are complemented by chrome mouldings
that blend ideally into the window seals and emphasise the
Granluce sun-roof – and the colour contrast of the lower
part of the opaque grey side member that reflects the
two-tone colour scheme of the Granluce roof: a clear homage
to Lancia tradition The two-tone livery so typical of great
Lancia cars of the past now makes a comeback on the latest
models through a laborious painting process (taking 6 hours
longer than the conventional process): once it was a crafted
feature within the reach of a few but now Lancia offers it
throughout its range.
Apart from
anything else, Lancia’s venerable chromosomes seem to make
it better equipped than others to meet the needs of
customers who know about technology but are also aware of
the value of tradition; who demand product substance but
also exclusivity and prestige.
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. And the same original styling is also evident at
the rear, where tall LED tail-lights, an expression of
cutting-edge technology, further enhance the Delta's elegant
shape.
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Refined, well-lit and innovative interiors
Like the exterior, the interior of the Lancia Delta
represent the most advanced expression of Italian style due
also to the quality of the materials and the particular
attention to detail. The result is a well-lit, welcoming
environment that promises unparalleled travelling comfort.
As evidenced by the sound-absorbing roof (known as a Noise
Absorbing Roof) produced using an innovative polyester-based
material that ensures low noise-levels while in motion by
reducing interior noise by 2 db. And more: The Lancia Delta
offers exceptional levels of light due to the oceans of
glass at the sides and, where fitted, a huge Granluce
sun-roof that occupies 80% of the total area. The result is
an exclusive, roomy and protective environment: just as you
would expect from the interior of a Lancia car. Fully in
line with Lancia tradition, the front area is graced by soft
surfaces trimmed with top-quality material - from leather to
Alcantara® – and a substantial dashboard trimmed with Benova®,
a superb and innovative polyurethane product that looks and
feels like real leather (the product is registered by
Benecke-Kaliko and so far has been used on top of the range
models such as Maserati cars).
In detail, the Argento specification offers seats trimmed
with ‘Carbony 3D’ three-dimensional high-tech cloth combined
with Alcantara® inserts that enhance the contrast between
top quality and high-tech materials. The seat is also
complemented by a soft-touch microlux band. The Oro and
Platino versions feature an elegant combination of Alcantara®
and grosgrain leather on the bands that makes the Lancia
Delta even more unique (it is the only car in its category
to offer such top quality hide as standard). Leather strips
are also stitched into the Alcantara® part to emphasise the
car's crafted finish and enhance the design of the seat by
making it look more original and exclusive. Lastly, as an
option, customers can choose Poltrona Frau® grosgrain
leather combined with a very high-tech silver top-stitching
that mirrors the ChromeShine finish of the central console,
steering wheel and gear knob: this touch of exclusivity
combines Lancia class with the sophistication of Poltrona
Frau®, one of the most famous Italian designer labels in the
world. And there is more: The Lancia Delta is the only car
in its segment to offer the top-quality beige Poltrona Frau®
option with exclusive maroon contrast piping.
Another particularly attractive feature is the central
console that seems to float on the underlying surface that
some fantastic high-tech plate. This ideal superimposition
is further emphasised by an original white light that
emerges from the console and illuminates the inventive 3-D
look keys. 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 on the central console
(through the use of Chrome Shine paint) and extends to the
entire dashboard to emphasise the operational importance of
these parts.
The unmistakeable Lancia class is also evident in the chrome
detailing on the controls: climate control system and radio
knobs, door handles and console keys. In the same way, the
new Delta steering wheel adds a modern twist to the
historical four-spoke version while the same formal language
is taken up by the stylish gear knob. The seats are enhanced
by the presence of the Lancia crest on the head-restraints,
hot-stamped with a 3-D silicone injection (as on a Ferrari
or Maserati). The Delta is the only car to offer this
feature as standard on all specifications to underscore its
distinguished nature.
Rear seat passengers will also enjoy the greatest comfort
and well-being. Partly because the seats, veritable
armchairs, ensure outstanding comfort and partly because the
rear passenger room offered by the new Lancia range-leader
(which boasts a wheelbase of two metres and 70 centimetres)
is the best in its segment. The lounge-like feel of the
passenger compartment is enhanced by a sliding rear seat
with reclining backrest (it can be tilted to 25°) that
allows the already spacious boot (380 litres, 465 with the
sliding rear seats) to be increased or it can be pushed back
and tilted for total relaxation, like a business class seat
on an intercontinental flight. It is worth stressing that
the Lancia Delta is the only hatchback saloon to offer the
option of adjusting the rear seat backrest and sliding the
seat.
The versatility of the luggage compartment is enhanced by a
Magic Back Box, in other words a special surface that allows
an ultra-handy absolutely level and continuous load platform
to be created by folding the rear seats flat. The system can
also always be used as a hidden compartment for fragile or
valuable treasures. |
|
