They were a dominant force in racing throughout the 70’s, 80’s, and early 90’s. The technology housed in their cars was way ahead of it’s time. I’m talking, of course, about Lancia. No car highlights this better than the Lancia Delta Integrale. Powered by a turbocharged and supercharged 16-valve 4 cylinder engine, the Delta Integrale also boasted a highly advanced (for it’s time) 4-wheel drive system.  Steamy stats, even today.

So it’s with this kind of history behind them, that Italian auto giant Fiat will reinvent and relaunch the brand after an almost 10 year hiatus. The Delta was still produced in one form or another until 1999. Fiat hopes that it’s recent good fortune and influx of money can give them the opportunity to launch a profitable sub-brand.

Their first model is the new Delta (of course) and it looks nothing like it’s predecessor. The new car has a menacing face and a grill that has a slight viciousness to it. The tail’s are LED’s and the front lights are LED’s and xenon’s.  The overall hatchback shape is pleasing, though I feel the rear end is a bit dull in it’s execution.

Inside, Lancia has actually made the giant sunroof soundproof, which greatly reduces road noise. The materials in the cabin include leather, Alcantara and a leather substitute made out of polyurethane called Benova. The seats are special designer leather from Poltrona Frau (fancy…), and the rear seatbacks actually adjust, a one-of-a-kind feature in the hatchback class.

Power will come from a few engine choices. First there is the 120-horsepower and 150-hp variants of the 1.4-liter Turbojet four-cylinder gas engine and then there are the 120-hp 1.6-liter Multijet turbodiesels that will be combined with a manual/automatic gearbox. The two engines to be introduced later are a 165-hp 2.0-liter Multijet and a 190-hp twin-turbo Multijet.

Though probably to be first offered oversea, the new Lancia Delta might make it over here eventually. Fiat hopes with this new “resurrection” of a fabled past brand will be a move that will see their profits turbocharge, or supercharge… or both.

All Above: Though I love the original, the new Delta has something unique about it….