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Latest-generation systems and technologies
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The new Delta
model fully lives up to the Lancia tradition by achieving a
significant step forward in the field of technological
innovation applied to driving dynamics, safety and
travelling comfort. The best example is the adoption of the
latest-generation systems and devices -some introduced for
the first time in this segment -that are capable of
transforming even the shortest of trips into a satisfying
journey.
Top level driving dynamics
and safety
The Lancia Delta has been designed to obtain the top score
in passive and active safety tests due to the introduction
of 6 airbags (front, window-bag and side bags, all fitted as
standard throughout the range), three-point seat belts with
pretensioners and load limiters. The new model also comes
with the most sophisticated systems for electronic control
of dynamic vehicle behaviour, namely ABS with EBD, the
latest development of the ESP system (termed the Absolute
Handling System) and ‘active electronics steering’ (DST).
Absolute Handling System and
DST (Drive Steering Torque)
To ensure greater mastery of the car, the Lancia Delta also
offers the ‘Absolute Handling System’, a development of the
ESP (Electronic Stability Program), a system that cuts in
under near-limit conditions when car stability is at risk
and helps the driver to control the car. The following are
also combined with the Absolute Handling System: a Hill
Holder system that helps the driver on hill starts; ASR
(Anti Slip Regulation) that optimises traction at any speed
with the aid of the brakes and engine control; and the MSR
system (Motor Schleppmoment Regelung) that cuts in in the
case of abrupt driving changes during down-shifting to
restore torque to the engine.
The Absolute Handling System fitted to the Lancia Delta is
an advanced system because it introduces some extremely
important functions, namely, for example, LTF (Linearization
Torque Feedback) and TTC (Torque Transfer Control). The new
control system also always cuts in unobtrusively because it
is combined with DST (Drive Steering Torque), an active
electronic steering system that makes corrections
automatically and also controls oversteer over surfaces with
low grip.
In detail, DST (Drive Steering Torque) is an innovative
system that improves both driving safety and handling
performance. Under all driving conditions, the electronic
steering system suggests the correct manoeuvres to be
carried out to the driver to allow outstanding road holding
performance while instilling a great sense of security. This
is achieved through continuous interaction between the
electric power steering (which generate torque at the
steering wheel) and electronic control of dynamics (Absolute
Handling System). In detail, the DST automatically makes
corrections, helps to maintain vehicle control and ensures
that the Absolute Handling System cuts in more
unobtrusively.
The DST system is particularly useful in three situations:
In the case of oversteer, the system facilitates the most
appropriate manoeuvre to maintain control of the vehicle in
every situation:
- the MCF function (Mu-Split control function) cuts in when
driving over surfaces with different levels of grip (in
winter, it is often the case that two wheels are on ice
while the other two are on asphalt) - In this particular
case, the DST System allows automatic countersteering that
makes it possible to control the vehicle (preventing it from
spinning) and also to pull up within the shortest possible
space (the braking distance is reduced by 10%)
- LTF (Linearization Torque Feedback): In the event of a
sporty drive, if the system detects higher lateral
acceleration (from 0. 6 g) it cuts in to deliver an increase
in resistant torque to the steering wheel. In this way it
significantly improves the sensation of mastering the car on
corners, particularly at high speed
Another specific feature of the Lancia Delta is its new TTC
system (Torque Transfer Control) that improves the transfer
of drive torque to the wheels and, in particular, guarantees
excellent cornering behaviour thus making the car safer and
more entertaining during a sporty drive or when grip is
poor. In detail, the TTC System is based on the principle of
making full use of the braking system that, when
appropriately controlled by the Absolute Handling System
control unit, develops a form of behaviour very similar to
that of a limited slip differential (in other words, the TTC
System electronically stimulates the presence of a
self-locking differential). More specifically, when
accelerating on a bend, the front braking system acts on the
inner wheel to increase traction on the outer wheel (bearing
the highest load) and thus distributing torque between the
front drive wheels in a continuous, dynamic manner according
to driving and road surface conditions.
Electronic variable damping
suspension system (Reactive Suspension System)
The suspension configuration fitted to the Lancia Delta
makes use of a tried and tested structure that has also been
optimised for comfort and lightness: MacPherson strut system
at the front with a mechanical beam and wishbones optimised
for the new load conditions; a torsion beam and anti-roll
bar configuration has been chosen at the rear in order to
achieve excellent handling performance.
The real breakthrough on this model has been to introduce a
feature produced in conjunction with some Magneti Marelli:
The innovative system for damping fluctuations (Reactive
Suspension System) until now reserved only for the very
latest cars in higher segments has now been applied for the
first time by the Fiat Group to a mid-segment vehicle. In
detail, the Reactive Suspension System can reduce vehicle
body fluctuations under all driving conditions to allow the
highest levels of safety, comfort and handling by means of
real-time electronic control of the shock absorbers. More
specifically, the sis able to identify the driving scenario
and road surface conditions by means of a set of sensors and
this choose the most appropriate control rules. These
include a function referred to as the sky-hook that allows
the passenger compartment to be insulated by essentially
making it resistant to external interference.
Due to the high computing capabilities of the electronic
control unit and the instantaneous response of accurate
solenoids, the system also stamps out disturbances from an
irregular road surface at source and allows outstanding
dynamic control even during the sporty driving (selectable)
to increase handling and manoeuvring accuracy.
Last but not least, the ‘reactive Suspension System’ reduces
the cars braking distance (by approximately 5% due to the
effective contact between wheel and ground) and ensures fast
action in the case of emergency manoeuvres with consequent
easy recovery of safety conditions.
‘Driving Advisor’
A moment of distraction or sleepiness: Two situations that
represents a potential risk of the driver leaving the road.
The Lancia Delta reduces this risk by offering the ‘Driving
Advisor’ system, a major preventive safety feature that
notifies drivers when they inadvertently stray too close to
the edge of the lane. The system is active when the car is
travelling at a speed of between 65 and 135 Km/h and sends
torque to the steering wheel (4 Nm on a continuous strip, 2
Nm on a discontinuous line) to attract the attention of
drivers who cross the demarcation line.
In detail, the main element of the ‘Driving Advisor’ is a
viewing system consisting of a TV camera with
image-processing software that sends data on the geometry of
the road in front of the vehicle as it is driving (up to 20
metres in front of the car). The viewing device recognizes
the lines that the limit the lane and provides a measure of
the vehicle’s position in terms of displacement from the
centre of the lane and in terms of orientation.
The second key element of the ‘Driving Advisor’ at is the
processing control unit with proprietary control strategies
that extrapolate the vehicle’s trajectory and assess whether
it is imminently about to leave the lane. This forecast is
carried out on the basis of data from the viewing system and
also from the standard dynamic sensors present on board the
car. The control unit then defines the implementation
command to be applied to the steering system. A sensation of
stiffness slightly opposing the car’s crossing of the lane
edge is then transmitted in the form of a torque perceptible
at the steering wheel.
The third element of the system is the electric steering
system, with its activation motor and steering wheel torque
and angle sensors required for correct operation: this
device is responsible for implementing the torque request
from the control strategies.
Certain features of its operation make the interaction with
the driver effective and intuitive. As long as the vehicle
is driving well away from the edges of the lane, the normal
perception of steering wheel resistance is unchanged.
Neither does the system cut in if the direction indicator
has been operated because this is an indication of the
intention to carry out a manoeuvre to leave the lane. If a
torque is generated on the steering wheel, this provides an
indication of the steering action to be carried out in order
to take the vehicle back to its position within the lane.
The ‘Driving Advisor’ therefore sets out to prevent
situations due to the driver’s lack of concentration. The
key aspects of the system is its natural and intuitive
interaction, with information that is immediately
interpretable and understandable without the need for
elaborate reasoning. This benefits speed of response and
reduces the cognitive load. Last but not least, the torque
generated at the steering wheel does not simply prevent the
car from crossing the side lines but also provides an
indication of the steering action to be carried out to
restore the vehicle to the centre of the lane and thus
correct the drive trajectory. The driver nevertheless
maintains full control of driving and is always able to
oppose the torque on the steering wheel if considered
advisable.
Driving comfort and onboard
wellbeing
The Lancia Delta is a bearer of new technology in terms of
its engines and also in terms of the electronic systems it
employs to ensure on-board comfort and wellbeing. The best
example is the new generation of the ‘Blue&MeTM’ system,
making its debut on the Lancia model and adding major new
features to aid musical enjoyment. Customers are also be
able to equip their Delta with ‘Blue&MeTM Nav’, an extremely
effective pictogram navigation system that allows access,
amongst other things, to a set of simple, useful on-line
systems at the best price on the market (Lancia Delta is the
first car in the Fiat group to offer these services from the
time of launch. Other major devices and systems designed to
maximize driving satisfaction are also available: from the
new ‘Instant Nav’ satellite navigation system to Easy
Parking and new front and tail-light clusters.
Blue&Me and Blue&Me Nav
The Lancia Delta may be equipped with “Blue&Me” (also with a
Nav version), an innovative created as a result of a joint
venture between Fiat Group Automobiles and Microsoft that
changes the paradigms of in-car communication, information
and entertainment to improve comfort and the quality of time
spent on board.
The device is extremely simple to use, and allows you to
make/receive telephone calls and to listen to music simply
and safely as you drive. And thanks to Bluetooth®
technology, you can also communicate with the outside world
from the car using your own personal devices such as mobile
phones or handheld computers.
The Blue&MeTM is also based on a system that is always able
to keep pace with the times, with updatable, flexible and
modular features. Fiat Group Automobiles and Microsoft, with
the support of Magneti Marelli, also offer a platform that
can be adapted to most mobile phones, music players or other
personal services to replace the current costly and rigid
hardware with the great benefit of being able to constantly
keep pace with market innovations and maintain perfect
integration with the car. All at a very accessible price.
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The Blue&MeTM
system also ensures the greatest safety and ease of use.
Because the voice control system is fully integration with
keys on the steering wheel and information on the instrument
panel display, customers equipped with a Bluetooth® mobile
phone can use it even if it is in a jacket pocket or handbag
without ever taking their hands off the steering wheel. Not
to mention the fact that ‘advanced voice recognition, allows
immediate interactivity -no voice learning stage is required
- and also allows incoming texts to be read out.
On
this very car, i.e. the new Delta, the Blue&MeTM achieves a
further step forward by adding new functions that confirm
the platform’s great flexibility. By connecting the digital
device to the USB port, it is possible to listen to hours
and hours of digital music in MP3, WMA and WAV format
recorded on mobile phones, MP3 players and USB then drives.
The greater compatibility with your i-Pod, it is now
possible when in your Lancia Delta to listen to music tracks
with an AAC extension in addition to the above formats
provided they are free from digital rights (DRM) and saved
in Hard Disk Drive mode. And more. For greater passenger
comfort, the Lancia Delta Blue&MeTM also displays
information on music tracks on the radio display (they were
previously available on the control panel).
Lancia Delta can also choose to equip their car with Blue&MeTM
Nav, and that includes a navigation kit consisting of a USB
drive containing the stored maps and a backup CD that may be
used to transfers the maps to personal MP3 players. The Nav
key has a direct connection to the navigation menu, that may
also be accessed by means of steering wheel controls and
voice commands. When the USB key is inserted, navigation may
be started. The destination may be entered by selecting the
initial letters of the address using the steering wheel
controls, which may be completed using voice commands.
Like the other information, navigation details are also
available on the vehicle control panel: Address of the
destination, pictograms of the direction to be followed,
arrival information, points of interest together with
conventional voice instructions providing information on
turn-offs through the car speakers. Unlike normal devices
(that do not allow you to navigate and listen to music CDs
at the same time unless a CD changer is fitted), with Blue&MeTM
Nav it is possible to navigate and listen to music on your
media player with the greatest ease while still remaining
connected to your mobile phone.
By using the navigation program on a Personal Computer with
the aid of the back up CD it is possible to save maps for
several countries purchased after sale on a USB drive. In
this case it is possible to select an entire country (for
example Italy, France, Germany, etc.) or a predefined part
(for example northern/central/southern Italy) or even a
region that incorporate several maps belonging to different
countries (for example Northern Italy and Switzerland,
Austria and Southern Germany).
News services available with
Blue&MeTM NAV
The Lancia Delta is the first of the Fiat Group models to
offer on-line services developed in partnership with Telecom
Italia and available on the Blue&MeTM Nav system (SOS
Emergency, Info Service and Drive Me and on-line Insurance
Services) that may be activated with complete freedom by the
customer.
‘SOS Emergency’: The SOS emergency service, available
24 hours a day, 365 days a year, is activated by pressing
the SOS button: In this case, a call and a text message
containing the car’s position are forwarded to the operating
centre. Whatever country customers are driving through, the
call centre operators are able to put them at their ease by
answering them in the same language. The service also
activates automatically if an airbag is set off. The vehicle
will quickly be located and roadside and medical assistance
will be available. The SOS may also be used in the event of
illness or danger. These services will be free of charge
during the car warranty period (after this they will be
available by paying an annual subscription).
‘Info Service and Drive Me’: Information at the
service of the motorist. Wherever you go, it will always be
easy to obtain assistance and up to date information on
events, traffic conditions, restaurants, cinemas, night
spots and much more in no fewer than five European
countries: Italy, France, Great Britain, Germany and Spain.
All you have to do is press the INFO button to speak to a
dedicated operator who will answer all your questions or, if
you prefer, send the coordinates of the chosen destination
to the navigation system (at this point, the device will
automatically compute the route.
The INFO services will be ‘pay per use’ (the cost will be
based on seconds of conversation with the service centre)
and, an important feature of this system, no annual
subscription be required: The cost is 2.4 Euro cents per
second (1.44 euro/ min), plus 30 cents for each call
answered.
On-line Insurance Services due to the satellite
location system and agreements with most of the insurance
companies, it will be possible to benefit from discounts on
civil liability insurance (up to 20%) and also fire and
theft insurance (up to 50%). If your car is stolen you will
be up to trace it by tracking. It will also be possible to
establish how many kilometres will be covered by the car
and, on the basis of this figure, take out ad hoc insurance
policies that are more advantageous because they are based
on the customer's true habits and requirements.
Instant Nav: The new map
satellite navigation system
As an option, the Lancia Delta may be equipped with ‘Instant
Nav’, an innovative latest-generation on-line system that
incorporates a map satellite navigation system, a dual
tuner, a radio set and a CD Mp3 player in the form of a
single device built into the dashboard; because it is also
compatible with Blue&Me, Media player functions can also be
provided in its presence by connecting pen drives, iPods
etc. to the USB port and Bluetooth handsfree sets for a
personal mobile phone.
The device, produced by Magneti Marelli, is positioned in
the centre of the dashboard and is equipped with a 6.5 inch
colour screen in 16:9 format that is bright and sharp enough
to allow feasibility under different light conditions. Due
to the width of the display and an area for zooming in on
road crossings, the radio navigation system simplifies your
understanding of the most complex driving instructions,
making life much easier for the driver.
‘Instant Nav’ is a telematic product designed to make
technology available to drivers, through easy interaction
with controls and functions, to ensure in-car living is even
more comfortable and easy while you are en route for your
destination. Route calculation algorithms have also been
optimised by making use of the speed of access to the map
database, now stored on an SD (Secure Digital) card in an
appropriate slot.
Another special feature of this system is the addition of a
dual tuner that makes use of diversity technology for
optimum tuning of stations and for the reception of traffic
information on the RDS-TMC (traffic message channel). If you
order ‘Instant Nav’ together with Blue&Me, you can display
details of an incoming or outgoing call (including text
messages) in addition to the telephone number and name
associated with the number in your address book plus the
reference details of the telephone currently connected via
Bluetooth as a result of the resulting operational
integration.
The level of integration achieved have also allows the
passenger to manage some phone functions phone functions and
also Media player functions, allowing information on the
audio tracks present on the electronic medium connected to
the USB port, such as title, author, etc. to be shown on the
colour display and also allow the passenger to manage
playing.
Parking aid system
It is often difficult to find a suitable parking spot in a
town or city with high traffic density. Not to mention the
fact that once you finally find a place the parking
manoeuvre may be quite difficult if the available space is
tight. The Lancia Delta therefore comes with an innovative
parking aid system that tells drivers whether a parking
space is big enough also helps them carry out the actual
parking manoeuvre. As an initial stage, the system measures
the length of the free space and indicates whether it is
large enough for your car. This system then automatically as
does the vehicle as it reverses, leaving the driver only
with the task of adjusting speed by means of accelerator and
brake.
The vehicle is therefore parallel parks in a single
manoeuvre, optimising parking in the free available space in
order to limit the number of subsequent vehicle alignment
manoeuvres by the driver. The driver naturally has full
control over the entire operation by means of the pedals and
can deactivate the system by operating the steering wheel or
disengaging reverse or alternatively by pressing the
dedicated button.
In detail, the heart of the system is a radar sensor
installed on the right side of the vehicle inside the front
bumper. The radar beam is sent into the space to the right
and the echoes are picked up by the sensor, which
reconstructs a map of the area between the parked cars,
‘sees' free spaces and identifies any other obstacles. In
parallel, the system is able to measure the length of the
free areas on the basis of information obtained by measuring
the speed of the wheels.
The driver is informed of the presence of a suitable parking
space when the measured length is compatible with the size
of the vehicle (the space must be at least 5.30 metres): An
acoustic signal indicates that a suitable space has been
detected and a display indicates whether the parking
manoeuvre may be carried out in one or more stages.
If the driver considers that the parking area identified is
suitable and engages reverse, the system is able to control
side movements of the vehicle by means of the electric
steering system, allowing the driver to take his hands of
the steering wheel and control vehicle motion exclusively
using the accelerator and brake pedals: During this stage,
the maximum permitted speed is 7 km/h and all the driver
needs to do in order to stop the system working is to resume
control of the steering wheel.
Latest generation light
clusters
The Delta’s headlights and tail lights are produced by
Magneti Marelli Automotive Lighting and a remarkable for
their high-tech content combined with an innovative design
that is also inspired by age-old Lancia tradition. Both
devices are fitted with LEDs the that offer greater
brightness than conventional bulbs for more safety plus
their own distinctive good looks: When they are off, they
look as though they are one colour but when they are on,
they assume different colours according to the different
functions performed due to the led light emission. In
particular, the front headlight offers a daytime light
function (Adaptive Daytime Led) that automatically turns on
the sidelights when the is started up: It should be
emphasized that this function complies with the specific
European regulation that is due to come into force in 2012.
The Lancia Delta’s stylish and technologically cutting edge
headlights are available in two versions: The first with
halogen bulbs, the second with xenon bulbs and ‘Adaptive
Xenon Light’ function. In the latter version, the low/high
light beam is produced by a device based on xenon technology
and equipped with automatic vertical correction to prevent
glare and horizontal rotation when cornering Adaptive
orientation of the lights when cornering - a function termed
‘Adaptive Xenon Light’ – is carried out by means of a state
of the art electronic control system fully integrated in the
C-CAN network. The light beam follows the controls imparted
by the steering system, performing irritation to apportion
alter the radius of curvature of to a maximum of 15° and
allowing the vehicle cutting edge levels of driving safety.
The front fog lights on the Lancia Delta are also equipped
with an additional ‘fog-cornering’ function. In detail, the
light parabola is extended up to 70°, allowing optimum
visibility, particularly on bends: In this case, the
foglight located in the direction of the corner turns on
automatically at low speeds after exceeding a given steering
angle, activated by the vehicle electronic control unit. The
clear lens and very bright reflector also enhance the
appearance of the foglight.
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