Systems and technologies of the latest generation
 

Though sticking with the Lancia traditions, the Delta model makes a significant step forward in terms of technological innovations applied to dynamic driving, safety and comfort. The best example of this is the adoption of last generation systems and devices - some introduced for the first time in this range of cars - capable of making any trip, even the shortest one, very pleasant. Here are three great features now available in the Lancia Delta range.

Sportronic: 6 gear automatic transmission

The combination of the 200 HP 1.8 Di TurboJet with a 6 gear automatic transmission enhances even further the flexibility and prompt reaction of this car, making changing gear in Lancia Delta very fluid, responding to client requirements and adapting both to a comfortable and to a sports drive. In particular, the transmission stands out for being light and compact as well as being designed to reduce fuel consumption: on one hand, the use of low friction oil has enabled the designers to improve the engine's efficiency; on the other hand, the introduction of a sixth gear makes driving on a motorway much easier. The accurate management software assesses different road conditions and adapts the driveability to them through a set of functions such as: braking assist, gradient assessment, bend, sport or comfort drive. Lastly, the pleasant drive is enhanced by the opportunity to choose between “Winter” “Norm” and “Sport” programs, as well as the manual setting (TIP). The controls placed on the steering wheels make Delta a real sports car.

Electronic suspensions with variable damping system (Reactive Suspension System)

The suspension's layout adopted by Lancia Delta is based on an established architecture which was optimised in terms of comfort and lightness: the front suspension is a MacPherson with mechanic crossmember and track control arms optimised for the new load conditions. A solution of torsional axle and anti-roll bar was chosen for the rear axle in order to achieve excellent drive performances.

But the great innovation of this model is represented by the introduction of a feature realised with the help of Magneti Marelli: the innovative oscillation damping system (Reactive Suspension System) which up to now had been used only in high range cars and which now Fiat Group has decided to use for the first time ever in a medium range car. In detail, the Reactive Suspension System - using real time electronic control of the shock absorbers - reduces car oscillations in all driving conditions. In this way, higher levels of safety, comfort and driveability are guaranteed. Thanks to some sensors, the system assesses driving and road surface conditions and then selects the most appropriate control settings. Among these, there is a function called “Sky-Hook” which enables to isolate the passenger compartment making it stress-free. Furthermore, thanks to the high calculation capacity of the electronic control unit and the instant and accurate response of the solenoid valves, the system neutralises all disturbances caused by the irregular road surface and allows excellent dynamic control even for a sports drive (selectable) by increasing steering manageability and control.
 

Last but not least, the “Reactive Suspension System” reduces the braking distance (by about five percent thanks to a perfect ground/wheel contact) and thus guarantees a prompt reaction in the event of an emergency manoeuvre with, as a consequence, easy recovery of the safety conditions.

Semi-automatic parking support system (Magic Parking)

Looking for a parking space is often a difficult task, especially in cities with heavy traffic. Besides, once you find a space, parking can be quite difficult given the lack of available room. For this reason, Lancia Delta is provided with an innovative parking support system which helps the driver first to identify a good parking spot and then to make the right parking manoeuvres. First of all, the system measures the length of the space and informs the driver whether this length is sufficient to park the car.

Then the system enables the car to steer automatically once the reverse gear is engaged. In this way, the only thing the driver must do is regulate the speed of the car by using the accelerator and brake pedals. The driver can park his/her car in a parallel parking space with only one manoeuvre. In this way, the available free room is optimised and the number of manoeuvres required to park the car minimised. Obviously, the driver has full control of the entire operation by operating the pedals and can de-activate the system at any time by regaining control of the steering wheel or by moving out of reverse gear or, alternatively, by pressing the dedicated button.
 
More in details, the radar sensor installed on the right and left hand side of the car, on the inside of the front bumper, is at the core of this system. A radar beam is shone to the right (or left) and the echoes are picked up by the sensor which then reconstruct the map of the area between the parked cars, "sees" any available space and identifies possible obstacles. At the same time, by analysing the wheel speed, the system is able to measure the length of free areas.

Should the measured length be compatible with the size of the car plus 130 cm (65 cm in front and 65 cm at the back), with a total car space length of at least 5.82 m, the driver is then informed of the presence of a suitable parking space. An acoustic alarm signals the presence of the parking space and, at the same time, the display shows the number of manoeuvres required to park.

If the driver considers the identified parking space as suitable and engages the reverse gear, the system takes automatic control of the side dynamic of the car through the electric steering by allowing the driver to remove his/her hands from the steering wheel and control the movement exclusively by operating the accelerator and brake pedals. In this phase, the maximum allowed speed is 7 km/h. To turn system off it is enough to regain control of the steering wheel.