Lancia plotting new Delta Integrale
Senior FCA execs are demanding Lancia bring back hot hatch icon before it’s too lateFiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) execs are hatching a last-ditch attempt to save car-maker Lancia by resurrecting its most famous model, the Delta Integrale .
According to plans, execs are lobbying FCA boss, Sergio Marchionne, to reinvent the Integrale more than 20 years after the original went out of production.
The first Delta-based Integale went on sale in 1987 as a car to help Lancia homologate a vehicle to compete in the World Rally Championship. Over the next six years the small five-door rally refugee evolved into one of the fastest and best-handling road cars of all time, with Lancia selling more than 44,000 cars worldwide before the last Integrale was sold in November 1994.
In motosport, the competition Delta Integrale was near unbeatable, winning 46 WRC events and six consecutive manufacturers’ titles.
Fuelling the Integrale’s return is a loyal fan base of generations of computer gamers, for whom the Lancia hot hatch is still one of the most popular cars raced on games like Gran Turismo 6.
To its credit, Lancia did make a MkII and MkIII Delta, including a follow-up to the Integrale -- but both cars coincided with Lancia’s attempt to go upmarket and the most sporting versions lacked the original’s edge and incredible dynamics.
Despite the will among senior FCA execs to reinvent the Delta Integrale in the spirit of the original, FCA boss Marchionne is known to be more interested in focusing on the Alfa Romeo relaunch. FCA’s boss has publicaly declared that he hopes last year’s 68,000 global sales will grow to in excess of 400,000 units by 2018.
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