Photo: Valerio Vessella
First things first, the title may be misleading if you know your Lancias well. The Italian brand still exists, but Fiat Chrysler Automobiles mismanaged Lancia to such an extent that we’re currently dealing with a one-model, one-market automaker.
Seriously! Only the Ypsilon supermini is still around, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has restricted availability to Italy in May 2017. After-sales service continues in pretty much the entire European Union, but as a brand, Lancia is definitely dead.
What does come as a surprise is the mild-hybrid powertrain option that the Ypsilon received in March 2020 from the Fiat 500 and the Panda. That may not be much of a return to the roots of the Italian automaker, but still, it’s good to know that the once-mighty Lancia is getting a little attention.
It’s often considered that 1994 marks the end of the Italian automaker with the final example of the first-generation Delta. Codenamed Tipo 831, the compact hatchback with Giorgetto Giugiaro styling was voted 1980 European Car of the Year in addition to winning a whole lot of rallying events.
After the 037 took the WRC title in 1983 from the all-wheel-drive Audi Quattro, the Delta HF Integrale was unstoppable from 1987 to 1992. As a matter of fact, Lancia still has the most titles in the WRC.
If it were still with us today, the Delta HF Integrale in road-legal spec would clearly take inspiration by the trailblazing first generation. It’s not a coincidence the Focus RS and A 45 come with all-wheel-drive; Lancia did pave the way for those two.
Italian automotive designer Valerio Vessella took time to imagine what the Delta HF Integrale would look like nowadays, and the resulting renderings are definitely worth your attention. Named “Hommage” for obvious reasons, the pixel work in the photo gallery also features a reinterpreted Elefantino logo from Matteo Vessella.
“My idea was to maintain the general character of the Delta pushing on the proportion and details, to create a racing feeling,” explains Valerio on Instagram, confirming that pumped-up fender flares suit the Delta best.
The minimalist lighting signature is complemented by a minimalist reinterpretation of the Martini livery, the one that Lancia flaunted with pride in rallying. All told, these renderings make us wish Fiat Chrysler - or better said Groupe PSA - resurrects Lancia at least on the same level as FCA did with Alfa Romeo.
“The Martini livery designed by Matteo divides the car into two pieces, like a gun; the rear is the grip and the front is the barrel. The Elefantino logo is the summary of all the lines and details on the car's body,” concludes Valerio.
What does come as a surprise is the mild-hybrid powertrain option that the Ypsilon received in March 2020 from the Fiat 500 and the Panda. That may not be much of a return to the roots of the Italian automaker, but still, it’s good to know that the once-mighty Lancia is getting a little attention.
It’s often considered that 1994 marks the end of the Italian automaker with the final example of the first-generation Delta. Codenamed Tipo 831, the compact hatchback with Giorgetto Giugiaro styling was voted 1980 European Car of the Year in addition to winning a whole lot of rallying events.
After the 037 took the WRC title in 1983 from the all-wheel-drive Audi Quattro, the Delta HF Integrale was unstoppable from 1987 to 1992. As a matter of fact, Lancia still has the most titles in the WRC.
If it were still with us today, the Delta HF Integrale in road-legal spec would clearly take inspiration by the trailblazing first generation. It’s not a coincidence the Focus RS and A 45 come with all-wheel-drive; Lancia did pave the way for those two.
Italian automotive designer Valerio Vessella took time to imagine what the Delta HF Integrale would look like nowadays, and the resulting renderings are definitely worth your attention. Named “Hommage” for obvious reasons, the pixel work in the photo gallery also features a reinterpreted Elefantino logo from Matteo Vessella.
“My idea was to maintain the general character of the Delta pushing on the proportion and details, to create a racing feeling,” explains Valerio on Instagram, confirming that pumped-up fender flares suit the Delta best.
The minimalist lighting signature is complemented by a minimalist reinterpretation of the Martini livery, the one that Lancia flaunted with pride in rallying. All told, these renderings make us wish Fiat Chrysler - or better said Groupe PSA - resurrects Lancia at least on the same level as FCA did with Alfa Romeo.
“The Martini livery designed by Matteo divides the car into two pieces, like a gun; the rear is the grip and the front is the barrel. The Elefantino logo is the summary of all the lines and details on the car's body,” concludes Valerio.
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