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The Lancia Delta is back. Not only is it back, but it's coming back to Britain. And not only is it back and coming back to Britain, it's also a bit funny-looking.
Perhaps that's a bit unfair. You can make up your own mind on the looks, but it's certainly an, erm, unmissable face. Then again, the original Delta - at least in non-Integrale form - was hardly a looker, either.
Set to arrive in the UK at the end of this year through Alfa dealerships, the Delta sits on the same platform as the Fiat Bravo.
At 450cm long, it's significantly bigger than the Focus/Golf hatch crowd - Lancia describes it as a 'hatchback saloon', which we don't quite understand. Maybe they mean hatchback estate.
Lancia is talking up the Delta's 'premium' features - it has the option of a massive panoramic sunroof, posh leather interior and a tilting rear bench. We're not sure why that's premium, but it's certainly a nice touch.
It'll launch with the choice of two petrol engines - 120bhp and 150bhp 1.4-litre TurboJets - and a 120bhp 1.6-litre diesel, all mated to six-speed manual, automatic or 'robotised' boxes. Later, we'll see two higher powered diesel units and a 200bhp petrol engine.
There's no official word yet on a properly hot 'Integrale' version, but insiders say that Lancia is keen to cash in on the cache of the name, so we're keeping our fingers crossed. Even the most dubious face can be saved with a 300bhp turbo-nutter engine and four-wheel diff fun, we reckon. Just ask the Impreza.
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What do you think?
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KarMa commented on this article
at 02:23 pm on 28 May 2009
I love it. It's definitely my old rabid self-taught 1.6 Delta turbo's young, sophisticated, and properly schooled niece, definitely smoother at low rpm while still wildish if you sink the pedal.
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JOHNJOE commented on this article
at 02:01 am on 19 August 2009
i seen over here itallians were on holidays and the front looks beautiful. its still better than them seat leons which dont resemble a car but more a shoe
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kdband commented on this article
at 01:45 pm on 04 September 2009
Any news on when this is expected to arrive in the UK? I saw quite a number of these while visiting Italy this summer and really liked its looks.
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JOHNJOE commented on this article
at 06:07 pm on 04 December 2009
the old delta was quite a good looking car compare it to the rest of the crowd in the 80s like the ugly golf and bmws the lancia was far better looking
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istvan commented on this article
at 01:05 pm on 29 September 2010
What do you mean funny looking? It's a stunningly beutiful car, unlike the golf or the focus.
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