Lancia Releases More than 70 New Photos of the 2012 Ypsilon

In typical Fiat Group fashion, despite the fact that the new Lancia Ypsilon received its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show close to three months ago, the company waited until today to release a full gallery of pictures. There are more than 70 photographs showing the Italian supermini mostly in its natural habitat, the city. Along with the new images, Lancia also offered new information on its entry-level model, which will be launched from June in major European markets and from September in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it will wear the Chrysler logo. Read more »

Bertone Auctions Off Some of its Most Recognizable Concepts to Avoid Insolvency

Here lies Bertone, the famed Italian automotive design house, bankrupt and on almost on the verge of death. The once legendary company was forced to sell its most prized possessions – six concept cars – to appease the bankruptcy commission and also to remain afloat. RM Auctions of London handle the sale at this past weekend’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2011.

So what delectable concepts were the vultures able to get their beaks into? Well, there’s the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal that once graced the Monaco Grand Prix and is often cited as the inspiration for the Espada of the following year.

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Fiat’s 0.9-Liter TwinAir Scoops the “International Engine of the Year 2011” Award

And the big winner of the 2011 edition of the coveted International Engine of the Year is…Fiat’s 0.9-liter twin-cylinder gasoline engine also known simply as the TwinAir. A jury comprised of 76 journalists and industry experts from 36 different countries were convinced by the 875 cc unit's low emissions, high fuel economy and impressive output for its size, awarding it four awards: “Best New Engine 2011”, “Best Green Engine 2011”, “Best Sub 1-Liter Engine” and the “International Engine of the Year 2011” overall award. Read more »

Genebra 2011: A Volta do Lancia Delta !

A volta do pioneiro da Lancia, o Delta

Se reparar no formato do veículo, ele lembra o do irmão Fiat Bravo

O Delta foi um modelo que marcou a época das pistas de rali na década de 80. Hoje, a situação é um pouco diferente, já que a Lancia não desfruta do mesmo prestígio de anos atrás. No entanto, a montadora acredita que o novo Delta é a peça fundamental para voltar aos velhos tempos.

Ao contrário dos novos modelos apresentados pela Lancia em Genebra (Thema, Grand Voyager e Flavia), o Delta não tem parentesco com a Chrysler, e sim com a própria Fiat. Trata-se de uma versão mais luxuosa do Fiat Bravo, hatchback lançado na Europa em 2008 e que começou a ser fabricado no Brasil em 2010.

Com 4,50 metros de comprimento, o novo Delta tem espaço para cinco passageiros, que viajam confortavelmente nos bancos revestidos em couro. A Lancia oferece quatro versões de acabamento, batizadas como Steel, Silver, Gold e Platinum. Cada uma delas presenteia os ocupantes com materiais de qualidade nobre, incluindo até acabamento de couro com assinatura da renomada grife italiana Poltrona Frau (Poltrona Fraô).

Os passageiros que se sentam atrás contam com banco deslizante – que aumenta a capacidade do porta-malas de 380 litros para 465 litros – e apoios de cabeça que podem ser reclinados a até 25 graus. O encosto pode ser reclinado por inteiro, como nos aviões de primeira classe.

Na parte estética, o Delta ganhou uma atualização na grade frontal, que agora segue a nova identidade visual adotada pela Lancia. A Lancia oferece sete opções de motorização, incluindo opções abastecidas com gasolina, diesel e GNV (Gás Natural).

A lista de equipamentos de série é generosa e inclui itens como controle de estabilidade (ESP), sistema de navegação por satélite, controle de transferência de torque, freios ABS e distribuição eletrônica de frenagem, "Driving Advisor'' (recurso que vira o volante suavemente caso o veículo se aproxime excessivamente das margens da pista) e o ''Magic Parking", que faz balizas automaticamente, cabendo ao condutor apenas controlar a velocidade.

Lancia Could Sell the Ypsilon and Delta in the U.S., Has No Plans to Revive HF Integrale or Fulvia

When announcing the new Ypsilon’s key role in Lancia’s turnaround strategy at a press event Carscoop attended in Turin, Italy, earlier this week, company officials told us that the small car could be sold in the States under the Chrysler brand if American buyers will show enough interest towards the recently launched U.S.-spec Fiat 500. Furthermore, the same could happen with the Delta.

On the other hand, Lancia's people told us the company has no plans to revive famous nameplates such as the HF Integrale and Fulvia, simply stating that there’s no market for Lancia sports cars.

Although in its current state, the new Ypsilon doesn’t comply with U.S. standards, Lancia Product Manager Claudio Nervi told us that it could be “easily federalized” and that logistically “it's not a problem, as the Ypsilon could be produced at the [Fiat Group’s] Mexican plant”. However, Nervi also pointed out the decision depends “on the performance of the Fiat 500 in the US”.

Should a Chrysler variant of the Ypsilon get the green light, the styling will not be altered. "Changes will be mostly technical, regarding especially the electrics of the car”, Nervi told Carscoop.

The Chrysler version of the Delta hatchback, which was shown at the 2010 Detroit Motor Show, could also join the Ypsilon in the U.S. According to Claudio Nervi, the show car was well received by the American public, but a final decision has not yet been made.

As far as sports cars are concerned, the news isn't good for Lancia fans. “Lancia stands for comfort, craftsmanship and luxury. We want to grow based on these values”, said Nervi adding that Lancia isn’t “trying to deny it’s past, but it needs volume first”, which cannot be provided by a revived HF Integrale or Fulvia.

Lancia Communications Director Rino Drogo also pointed out that “customer preference has shifted over the years and clients aren’t looking for sporty Lancias anymore”.

“Let’s leave the sports cars for our cousin Alfa Romeo, who has sportiness in its DNA”, Nervi concluded.

By Csaba Daradics

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