Autocar - First for car news and reviews

What is it?

The third generation Lancia Delta is a rare and important car. There hasn’t been an all-new Lancia since 2004, and this one will lead a renewed assault from the firm on Britain and much of the rest of Europe. It’s distinctive and interesting, with several engines unseen elsewhere in the Fiat group, and some clever technology too. But unfortunately, it's still not the car we were hoping for.

Come to this car with no thoughts of the last range of dull, disappointin...Read the full article

Is this not the problem with whole Lancia re-introduction - it is style over substance?

The old Lancias were very good on engineering so ride, handling and performance were well above average. The build quality was the problem exacerbated by poor UK dealers and low second hand values.

Now the Lancia engineering has long gone and it just a badge on modified Fiat underpinnings. It is just like a Rover badged Honda used to be - there probably is a market if the quality is right for it but not for the enthusiast.

As someone who is potentially interested in the Delta and who saw the car at the Geneva motorshow I have to say I was a little disappointed by the interior trim quality. It wasn't that it was poor quality considering similar vehicles in the class, it's just that I was led to expect a whole lot more, something more in keeping with the elegant and high quality interior of the Thesis. The Delta shows it's Bravo roots more than I would wish. The "floating" centre console effect actually looks more "glued on" and I would urge Lancia tweak the interior before considering the UK launch. As for the exterior .. I like it a lot!

 Why did u cut part of the article?

 

I think it looks brilliant; a welcome antidote to the Golf/Focus class. The twin turbo diesel sounds like a cracking motor too. Remember not that long ago when only super cars attained the magical 100 hp p/liter of displacement? Now we have family hatches that do it, and they're diesels! Also, Car Magazine gave it 4 stars, and I tend to trust Car's editors much more than anyone at Autocar., who believe if isn't German, it can't be good.

xxalfaxx:

Why did u cut part of the article?

Wasn't aware that I did. And anyway this is my opinion after having seen the show car and sitting in it for some time. It just so happens that the article suggests the same. I remember that the last platform sharing exercise involving the Tipo/Dedra/Tempra/Alfa155, the interior appointments were considerably different from one vehicle to another, the Lacia dedra and Alfa 155 being much better tyan the other two. In this case you can tell the Bravo origins, and it's OK, just not what I expected. I would still be interested in a Delta though. 

erm... are you guys looking at the same pics?

this car is awful!

looks like bits of some ssangyong with bits from a hearse coupled with some weirdo lights from some concept i saw years back.

some slate bangle, he's a regular da vinci compared to the muppet who designed this!

 

I love Bangle - the greatest mass market designer the world has seen since the italian heydays.

However I would have to disagree totally with your view that others should think this Lancia unattractive just as you and probably some (many?) others do.

Personally it doesn't appeal - a badge engineered mess (Rover/Honda indeed) without a doubt. But I hope there are plenty of people it does appeal to. Nothing wrong with having the FIAT group have something strong in the lower exec class.

Don't think this is it though...

 Some clown persuaded our MD to put a Lancia Beta on the fleet 30 years ago.  Never, ever, ever would I touch this brand again.

Kee Law:

erm... are you guys looking at the same pics?

this car is awful!

looks like bits of some Ssangyong with bits from a hearse coupled with some weirdo lights from some concept i saw years back.

some slate bangle, he's a regular da Vinci compared to the muppet who designed this!

Wow, this car is officially ugly! I thought the Rhodius was bad but this beats it hands down. I am an Italian car fan, loving the lines and the detail in most of the designs that come out of the design houses.

Who actually put pen to paper and thought yes I've cracked it, then did the double and convinced the board of the same? David Blunket's dog could have done better.

I actually really like the Delta - because it's different. I wouldn't really call it ugly - it's a bit Fiat Multipla-ish - you either love it or hate it. I love it. I love the Multipla too. This sector needs a bit more different stuff, I think. Not sure about the interior though!