The article was originally produced on April 20, 2012, some facts and prices may have changed since then.

Lancia Delta

The Italian car brand Lancia has been conspicuous by its absence in Sweden for more than a decade. This is to be changed with the help of the former rally killer model Delta in new vintage. With a larger and more luxurious version than its predecessor from the eighties, the Lancia Delta brand is rolling again on Swedish roads. Cars Collection took this Italian delicacy for a test drive to see what ten years have done to the brand.

When you mention the Lancia Delta model to people who have a little more interest in cars than Svensson, one or two eyebrows are usually raised. In 1979, Lancia presented the Delta model at the IAA, a model that was basically based on the front-wheel-drive Fiat Ritmo. The design behind the Delta is signed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, a very successful Italian designer who designed a number of famous cars, e.g. VW Golf (first generation), Lotus Esprit and DeLorean to name a few. However, that is not the reason for people's reaction when you start talking about the Lancia Delta, no it is for the model that received the addition of the HF Integrale which was basically unbeatable in the World Rally Championship. After this bus from the 80s, the brand disappeared from Sweden for more than a decade. Now, however, it is back and a new Delta is available on the Swedish market. Cars Collection has indulged in this Italian delicacy.

The external similarities with the origin are quite few, only four wheels and four doors if you want to be crass. The new Delta is much larger and compared to the Volkswagen Golf, which is the leader in the segment Delta will enter. But Delta is a full three centimeters longer. This of course means larger inner dimensions, something that is noticeable, but we'll get to that later. On the outside, Lancia has let the shapes flow. The front is exciting with a radiator shaped like a cut gemstone and with angled sloping headlamps accented by LED lights. Even the skirt under the front has different, exciting lines. If you follow the lines from the front over the body and to the rear end, you end up at the taillights, which go like arches over the hip area, very tastefully done. The roof can be had in matte black paint, which adds a sober but sporty feel to the entire car. 

The elegant shape is enhanced by the fact that the wheelbase is so long, which also means that the interior dimensions are generous. Lancia have been smart and made the rear seats movable so you can get even better seating space if desired, or better cargo space. The entire cabin has a lovely spaciousness and the Delta feels anything but cramped. Lancia has chosen to put the model at a price level slightly above the competitors, which for one means that the material choices are on the upper end. The seats, for example, are upholstered in Alcantara with stylish leather inserts. It is easy to find a comfortable driving position even though the seats in this car are not electrically operated. There are also no details that feel particularly plastic, gauges and controls are more well made than other brands in the same class. To further increase driver comfort, Lancia has a technology that makes steering smoother. With a push of a button, the steering is switched to city mode, which makes handling easier. Smaller movements result in greater steering reach, which significantly simplifies driving in the city and pocket parking. 

The engine options for the Lancia Delta consist of two diesels and a 200 horsepower petrol engine. Both diesels are eco-labelled and the version that Cars Collection tested was the 1.6 liter diesel with 105 horses. Far from a rocket, 0-100 is completed in 10.7 seconds and the top speed is just over 180 km/h. Although the Lancia Delta is not an oyster, it does not feel sluggish, there is enough power to travel unusually comfortably. The engine is minimally audible, which also creates a more luxurious feeling. With the different engine choices also come a few different gearbox options, the petrol has a six-speed automatic gearbox while the strong diesel has an automated manual gearbox. The diesel version, which Cars Collection drove, had a manual easy-to-use six-speed gearbox. If it had been possible to choose the combination yourself, the fully automatic box from the petrol to the weaker diesel would have been preferable. 

Since Lancia has not been in Sweden for a long time, it is noticeable that Delta attracts attention. But it's probably not just because the brand feels unusual that people turn around, the model name also probably brings back many memories when they read Delta on the rear screen. But if you were to put an eighties Delta next to a new Delta, it would be difficult to understand that it was the same model, the former is a crude, angular bus, while the new Delta is a luxurious city car in a small package. One thing is certain, Lancia is in Sweden to stay this time and Delta is just the beginning.

+ Stylish small city car with large interior dimensions and lavish material choices.

- The choices between engine and gearbox are not satisfactory.