New Fiat Large Platform -- What will it mean for Lancia?

[Nicola]

I came across this article (and a few like it) that pretty much outline the fact that Fiat Auto will use GM's new Epsilon platform for a Large Fiat car to replace the Croma. This has been speculated for sometime and the press-release only goes to confirm was what rumored for over a year. However, what will this mean for Lancia? Since the Croma (or something like it) will make a comeback, does this mean that a similar vehicle may materialize for Lancia? Or perhaps be the basis for a new Thesis? Here's the article below.

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Article from http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news- ... s_id=10031

Fiat Auto chief Herbert Demel confirmed yesterday that Fiat is to build a new upper-medium segment car, to be constructed on the front-wheel drive GM 'Epsilon' platform shared with models including the Saab 9-3, Vauxhall/Opel Vectra and Signum, Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6. 'New Large' is the much-rumoured successor to the long-dead Fiat Croma (itself a joint development with Saab's 9000, the Lancia Thema and Alfa Romeo 164) and is scheduled for launch in 2005.

In a separate speech at the Geneva Motor Show, GM vice chairman for product development Bob Lutz added: "There are several exampled within the GM organization in Europe of how we're leveraging resources and global synergies, such as the sharing of design and engineering expertise, our global manufacturing footprint and the development of flexible global vehicle architectures. Just take the Vectra, Vectra Wagon, Signum and Saab 9-3 as examples. They're all Epsilon-based, but offer meaningful differentiation in terms of design and dynamic characteristics and share the architecture with vehicles such as the Chevrolet Malibu, Malibu Maxx and Pontiac G6 in the US. And just today, Fiat announced it will use this versatile vehicle architecture for a future product. Acting as one GM organization in Europe - and sharing more among other regions - creates not only efficiencies but also more opportunities for revenue& in the form of more compelling, broader reaching and more refined products for each of our brands. And, as I said earlier, product is the key to GM's continued recovery and growth here in Europe."

General Motors also announced that a small sports car based on the Kappa platform (Pontiac Solstice, the Saturn Curve and Chevvy Nomad concepts) would go into production for the Saturn brand in 2006. It will be built in Wilmington, Delaware, alongside the now-confirmed Solstice. "The future sports car will serve as a halo vehicle for Saturn", said Lutz. "This is a game-changer. It is the first vehicle of its type for the growing brand and showcases a dramatic new styling direction." Saturn will also be launching a sporty crossover 4x4/MPV this autumn, a new mid-size model on the Epsilon platform in 2006 and a new larger 4x4 later. GM is also promising another exciting model launch at the New York Motor Show next month.

[Haavard]

The Epsilon platform will be the base for a new Lancia called Medea. The Medea will replace the Lybra in 2005, all acording to italiaspeed.com.

Haavard

[DAVID BOUTTELL]

Iv seen the same in other articles in italian publications!

[Phil]

the latest news is that 'Medea' is 'dead...

and here a littel about Greek mythology and Medea...an exerpt from her 'story'

Medea is a witch. Jason knows this, as do Creon and Glauce, but Medea seemed appeased, so when she presents a wedding gift to Glauce of a dress and crown, Glauce accepts them. The theme is familiar from the death of Hercules. When Glauce puts on the robe it burns her flesh. Unlike Hercules, she dies. Creon dies, too, trying to help his daughter.

So far the motives and reactions seem understandable, but then Medea does the unspeakable. She murders her own two children. Her revenge comes when she witnesses Jason's horror as she flies off to Athens in the chariot of the sun god Helios, her ancestor.

Let's hope that Lancia does not get murdered by 'it's mother' Fiat...