The rebirth of Lancia.
Lancia seems to be starting a rebirth of the kind recently executed by Alfa Romeo. The first of the new cars was the recently launched Thesis, which set new standards for luxury. The next one and a half steps can be expected at the imminent Geneva motorshow.
The new Ypsilon, a luxury supermini based on the new Punto platform, will be officially unveiled at that event in March, as will a concept car nicknamed 'Fulvietta'. The latter is a Barchetta based 2+2 coupé drawing inspiration from the classic Fulvia Coupé. Production is already rumoured to have been authorised, probably at Zagato who worked together with Centro Stile Lancia on the design.
2004 is expected to see a new MPV about the size of the Multipla and possibly a new Delta following the lines of the Nea concept seen in 2000. The latter is also rumoured to be being developed in an Integrale form.
The last of the significant news to emerge is that there is also a modern interpretation of the Stratos due, featuring a mid-engine.
CarsfromItaly will be at the Geneva motorshow, some come back in March to see pictures of all the cars there.
January 2003 at www.carsfromitaly.com
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Julian H. Tice
Re: January 2003 at www.carsfromitaly.com
Interesting post. As a sintese of information coming out of Lancia there seem to be two very diferent factions. One is the die-hard Lancisti, with a begrudging compliance to the fact that real-world laws apply to the car market. The other are the bean counters for whom concepts such as engineering and quality are just marketing points, devoid of serious substance.
The article in the previous post was definitely designed to whet the apetite of the former type of Lancisti but is typical of the schizofrenic yes it is/no it isn´t information from Lancia. Not surprising then that customers have little credibility in the marque. There is always the possibility of a re-birth but I don´t see it happening - the car market is just too tough these days. Just like the carozzeria, there is little place for Lancia in the modern market. Small production, niche products are always going to be loss makers.
Should we pack our bags and give-up? I for one would prefer to see Lancia mothballed rather than be reduced to simple make-over badge engineering that killed marques such as Wolsey/Riley/MG. At least I anticipate a more consistent line from Fiat group.... but then we cannot have Italian creative flair and catholic northern european business focus co-existing.
J.
The article in the previous post was definitely designed to whet the apetite of the former type of Lancisti but is typical of the schizofrenic yes it is/no it isn´t information from Lancia. Not surprising then that customers have little credibility in the marque. There is always the possibility of a re-birth but I don´t see it happening - the car market is just too tough these days. Just like the carozzeria, there is little place for Lancia in the modern market. Small production, niche products are always going to be loss makers.
Should we pack our bags and give-up? I for one would prefer to see Lancia mothballed rather than be reduced to simple make-over badge engineering that killed marques such as Wolsey/Riley/MG. At least I anticipate a more consistent line from Fiat group.... but then we cannot have Italian creative flair and catholic northern european business focus co-existing.
J.