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Lancia Delta revealed
By Yoann Besnard on 8 February 2008 | 
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Lancia has revealed the first official pictures of the new Delta. Unsurprisingly, the new model adopts an original positioning, halfway between a compact and a saloon. For the carmaker, the new Delta spearhead a revival of the Italian marque.
Until now, the Italian brand was surviving by revamping its lineup or creating limited editions. With the new Delta, Lancia offers a new car at last derived from the Fiat Bravo. Lancia seized the opportunity to associate the Delta with its heritage and the press release doesn’t hesitate to mention the Aprillia, the Appia or the Fulvia. Unfortunately, the previous model to proclaim the company’s heritage was the Thesis. Despite its qualities, the executive saloon never convinced people to buy it. Intelligently, Lancia doesn’t try to associate the new model with the former Delta which rhymes with sportiness and not luxury.
At 4,500 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,500 mm high, the new Delta is bigger than the Fiat Bravo and features a long wheelbase of 2,700 mm. On the inside, the rear bench seat can move forward and rearward while a new GPS system will be on offer.
The exact spec of the new Delta remains unknown although Lancia gave a few details about the engine range. Both normally-aspirated and turbocharged engines will be available on the Delta. The range is likely to start with Fiat’s 118bhp 1.9-litre MultiJet diesel, and the topping engine will be to 200bhp 2.0-litre turbo unit.