Lancia Delta 'Hard Black' Edition Goes on Sale in Europe

It's been a while since we've seen something new from Lancia, but at least the Fiat Group is reminding us that the brand still exists by releasing new versions of its cars. The latest addition in the Lancia family is the Delta 'Hard Black' that was previewed at the Geneva Motor Show in March and is now available for order in Europe.

The new series comes with a shiny black roof, chrome mirror caps and a unique matt black color for the body that Lancia calls "Hard Black". The five-door hatchback also gets a pair of chrome tail pipes and 18-inch alloy wheels available in a silver or matte black finish.

Inside, the dark color theme is continued with the door panels and seats that are covered in Alcantara and leather.

The Delta 'Hard Black' edition is offered with a choice of two engines, a 200HP 1.8-liter turbo petrol linked to a six speed automatic transmission or a 1.9-liter twin-turbo diesel with 190HP and 400Nm (295 lb-ft) of peak torque.

DIY Video: How to Scrap a Lancia Delta

Agreed; the previous -second- generation of the Lancia Delta wasn't anything special (not that we care about any first-gen Delta other than the Integrale models), but to destroy any car all in the name of a Youtube video, just doesn't seem right any way you hummer-sledge it. Watch the video after the break

Geneva Preview: Lancia Delta Special Series Finished in Matte Black

For the first time ever, Lancia will share its display with Chrysler at the Geneva Motor Show, demonstrating the Fiat Group's vision for a common future for the two brands.

But while the Detroit Show earlier this year gave us a Chrysler-badged Delta prototype, the Italian firm's press release did not mention any plans for a Lancia-badged Chrysler model, simply noting that two Delta hatchbacks and two 300C sedans will be hosted on a common platform.

The Italian company added that it will show off a special edition version of the Delta finished in dark matte color called "Hard Black" that is further enhanced with chrome-plated mirror frames and new 18-inch burnished alloy wheels.

The special series of the Delta that will go on sale in Europe later in the year also features new color and material combinations in the interior including seats covered in leather and Alcantara, as well as additional standard equipment such as the electronic Reactive Suspension System, automatic dual zone air conditioner and the Blue&Me system.

European consumers will have two engine options, a diesel or a gasoline unit. The 200HP 1.8-liter turbocharged petrol is linked to a six speed automatic transmission allowing the hatch to reach a top speed of 230 km/h (143mph) and go from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph)in 7.4 seconds while returning 7.8 lt/100km or 30.2mpg US on the combined European cycle.

The 1.9-liter twin-turbo diesel produces 190HP and 400Nm (295 lb-ft) of peak torque at 2,000 rpm. It propels the Delta from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 7.9 seconds and on to a maximum speed of 222km/h or 138mph. It returns an average fuel consumption of 5.7 lt/100km or 41.3 mpg US.

Find of the Day: Lancia Delta HF Integrale EVO Stretch Limousine

Just when you think you've seen everything, you stumble across something even more amazing like these two (or at least they appear to be two different models) Lancia Delta HF Integrale stretch limos that are up for sale in Italy at €99,000 (about US$136,000 at today's exchange rates) a piece.

We don't know much about the two cars, but here's what we do know. They both feature the wider body and detailing of the 1991 Integrale Evoluzione with one of them assumingly motivated by the HF Integrale 8v's 2.0L turbo and the other by the Evo I's 210-horsepower 2.0L 16v turbo unit.

If the two limos are based on original Delta HF Integrale cars or on standard Delta hatchbacks, and if they feature the Integrale's four-wheel drive system or not are questions that we don't have the answers to.

Source: Autoscout24 - Grazie Giovanni for the tip!

Fiat Group's Revised 2010-2011 Product Plan, Includes Chrysler-Based Sedans, Convertible and MPV for Lancia, 8C GTA for Alfa

During a Tuesday meeting in Rome with representatives of the government and trade unions, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed the Italian group's product plan that has been revised after the alliance with the Chrysler Group earlier this year. We already told you about the introduction of Fiat's new twin-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine on the 500 mini next year, but let's see what else the group has in store for the European market.

Bypassing the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Fiat Doblo van that we already know about, Fiat's product plan concentrates on Lancia, a brand that up until now, was clearly neglected by the Italian firm. That's going to change now that Fiat has linked Lancia's portfolio with Chrysler's lineup.

First of all, 2010 will see a minor facelift for the Ypsilon mini and Musa mini MPV as well as a model year update on the Delta that is rumored to be revealed with a Chrysler badge at next month's Detroit auto show.

2011, however, promises to be a significant year for Lancia as Fiat plans to introduced four new vehicles -all of which will be derived from Chrysler models- to the brand's European lineup.

These include a mid-size family sedan and convertible (a Lybra successor most likely based on the Sebring), a new flagship luxury sedan (Thesis replacement that's rumored to be based on the 300) and a large MPV (probably the Town and Country).

In 2011, Fiat will also gain a Chrysler Group-derived crossover model while the most important introduction for the brand will be the next-generation Panda that will be offered with the firm's new twin-cylinder turbocharged engines.

Other than the new compact-sized Giulietta, Alfa Romeo's plans include a model year update for the 159 sedan, the presentation of the more hardcore 8C Competizione GTA and a light facelift for the MiTo supermini.

As you can see, Marchionne's plans for Alfa do not include the long awaited SUV / Crossover model nor a replacement for the 169. Apparently, the focus on the Lancia brand comes at the cost of Alfa's future...

All in all, over the next two years, the Fiat Group is planning the launch of 17 new models and upgrades of 13 existing models.

PS: The opening photo is a Carscoop photoshop

Chrysler Rumored to Unveil Lancia-Based Model at Detroit Auto Show

Earlier today, we learned from a leaked report on the net that GM will allegedly reveal a host of new models at next month's 2010 Detroit Auto Show. Now, we have more news concerning the Detroit event as a report from Bloomberg is claiming that the Chrysler Group LLC is planning to debut an all-new model derived from the Fiat Group's Lancia brand.

The news site stated that it was tipped off by "three people familiar with the situation" who said that the car will be badged as a Chrysler giving us our first taste of how the American firm plans to integrate Fiat's vehicles into its range.

So, which Lancia model will bear the Chrysler logo? Well, sorry to say, the insiders did not give out this piece of information.

But fortunately for us, Lancia's current lineup consists of only four models - the Ypsilon supermini, the Musa subcompact MPV, the Delta compact hatch and the Phedra minivan- so we'd assume that the firm's newest and most prominent car, the Delta, gathers most chances.

Even so, we don't know if Chrysler chose to simply re-badge and re-mask the 4,522mm-long (177.9-in.) Delta hatchback or if the American firm's designers and engineers proceeded to more extensive changes.

Either way, it's safe to say that Chrysler's model will be powered by the Fiat Group's turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines that include a 1.4-liter unit with 120HP and 150HP as well as a 1.8-liter with 200HP.

We could go on and on, but we'll refrain ourselves from speculating about the car until we hear something official from Chrysler or the Fiat Group.

Via: Bloomberg

PS: The opening photo is a Carscoop photoshop

LANCIA RANGE

2012 Lancia Thesis Envisioned as a Chrysler 200C, Lancia Delta as a Compact Chrysler

Can't say that were fans of "badge engineering" especially when it comes to brands with a completely different mind-set and background, but like it or not, chances are that Fiat's tie up with Chrysler will most likely give birth to at least a couple of vehicles that will only differ in grilles and badges. The U.S. automaker's recently revealed five-year product plan hints at a few cars of this sort, but photoshop wiz, Theophilus Chin, took it upon himself to create a trio of 'Chrysler-ized' Lancias and vice-versa.

These include a proposal for a Lancia Thesis replacement based on Chrysler's well-received 200C mid-size sedan hybrid concept that was displayed at this year's Detroit Show, as well as Lancia-masked Chrysler Voyager and a Chrysler version of Lancia's premium compact hatchback, the Delta.

Source: Theophilus Chin