Photo: Sebastiano Ciarcia via Instagram/Behance
Very few people who were alive during the late '80s and early '90s need any reminder about how awesome the Lancia Delta HF Integrale was. To this day, its iconic boxy shape remains one of the most easily recognizable ones.
You could argue its design is similar to the Audi Quattro's, to some extent, but even if that were the case, the Italian model predates the German one by at least one year, so there really is no discussion to be had on the subject. It was the early eighties, and boxy cars were all the rage.
Well, of course they were, particularly when you consider the kind of results they managed to pull throughout their rallying careers. But how did the Audi Quattro manage to make its way into this discussion? We're here to talk about the Delta Integrale and how ridiculous it is that we don't have a modern successor to such an iconic model.
Looking at the current Lancia lineup, you get the feeling that not only is that never going to happen, but more likely, there won't even be a Lancia brand to talk about in the not-too-distant future. The Italian manufacturer looks like it's been in a coma for a while now, and even if, by some miracle, it did launch an all-new Delta, its lack of activity in recent years would almost guarantee it to be a flop.
Thanks to Sebastiano Ciarcià, at least the exterior design of the new model would be covered. The Sweden-based designer is a self-declared long-time admirer of the Delta, and to prove it, he has come up with what is possibly the best modern interpretation of the classic hatchback. In his own words, the rendering "wants to be a modern reinterpretation of the car without being too nostalgic or retro, [but] instead, an evolution of the previous design that emphasizes all the main feature lines and DNA to bring the original character back in the vehicle."
If we were to reach out to Sebastiano, we'd only have this to say: mission successful. It's only the front end that doesn't appear to bear almost any similarities with the original, but considering the trends back then, it would be difficult to replicate that today. However, the author did manage to find a way to tie everything together in a package that, as he says, is both recognizable and unique at the same time.
If there's one way we could see Lancia making a comeback, it's as an EV-only brand, much like what's happening with MINI, smart, or, even closer to Lancia, the FIAT 500 range. That's pretty far from what our first option for an all-new Delta would be, but if that's what it took - and the model would live up to its name - we'd be down with it. After all, it's not like EVs can't be quick and exciting, right?
Well, of course they were, particularly when you consider the kind of results they managed to pull throughout their rallying careers. But how did the Audi Quattro manage to make its way into this discussion? We're here to talk about the Delta Integrale and how ridiculous it is that we don't have a modern successor to such an iconic model.
Looking at the current Lancia lineup, you get the feeling that not only is that never going to happen, but more likely, there won't even be a Lancia brand to talk about in the not-too-distant future. The Italian manufacturer looks like it's been in a coma for a while now, and even if, by some miracle, it did launch an all-new Delta, its lack of activity in recent years would almost guarantee it to be a flop.
Thanks to Sebastiano Ciarcià, at least the exterior design of the new model would be covered. The Sweden-based designer is a self-declared long-time admirer of the Delta, and to prove it, he has come up with what is possibly the best modern interpretation of the classic hatchback. In his own words, the rendering "wants to be a modern reinterpretation of the car without being too nostalgic or retro, [but] instead, an evolution of the previous design that emphasizes all the main feature lines and DNA to bring the original character back in the vehicle."
If we were to reach out to Sebastiano, we'd only have this to say: mission successful. It's only the front end that doesn't appear to bear almost any similarities with the original, but considering the trends back then, it would be difficult to replicate that today. However, the author did manage to find a way to tie everything together in a package that, as he says, is both recognizable and unique at the same time.
If there's one way we could see Lancia making a comeback, it's as an EV-only brand, much like what's happening with MINI, smart, or, even closer to Lancia, the FIAT 500 range. That's pretty far from what our first option for an all-new Delta would be, but if that's what it took - and the model would live up to its name - we'd be down with it. After all, it's not like EVs can't be quick and exciting, right?
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