2006 Lancia Delta HPE

Delta HPE concept car: a synthesis of Lancia values

The focus in the exhibition area is on the Lancia Delta HPE Concept car - inspired by the elegant, sporty, practical car concept embodied by the Lancia Beta HPE in the late Seventies - which proposes an up-to-the-minute interpretation of the sporty, practical saloon (shooting brake).

It is a medium sized car (4.5 metres long, 1.8 metres wide and 1.5 metres tall) which guarantees plenty of room (particularly in the rear) and comfort, excellent access and a versatile, adaptable, capacious luggage compartment, all contained in a slender, sporty shape.

The latest result of a century of experience, this concept car continues the tradition of the ‘great' Lancia medium sized saloons - from the Aprilia to the Appia, the Fulvia, the Lancia Beta HPE, the Prisma, the Dedra and the Lybra – offering innovative solutions that make it the best synthesis of Lancia's values.

First of all, the styling which represents a return to the Lancia tradition of original bodywork solutions: the roof is of the overhanging ‘flying bridge' type, the large rear window has no lower rim, the chromed radiator grille is a modern rewrite of the classic Lancia grille of the Fifties, and a chrome moulding on the side emphasises the vast glazed area and the sleek line of the sides.

The second value represented by the project is the huge amount of space at the disposal of the driver and passengers: the Delta HPE Concept car leads its class in this field with a wheelbase of 2700 mm, which translates into an extraordinary amount of room at the rear, where passengers will enjoy comfort worthy of a limousine. The sliding rear seat with its reclining squab increases the spacious luggage compartment even further, or the seat can be slid back and inclined completely, for total relaxation in the equivalent of a business class seat on an intercontinental flight.

The third trump card is the quality of life on board, which is at the highest levels in the automotive field; an almost total absence of noise, thanks to the sound-absorbing ceiling, and an extraordinary amount of light which streams through the large sunroof and side windows. Plus the complete relaxation that comes from the sophisticated Bose® Hi-Fi sound system with §teering-wheel controls; and the perfect interior temperature provided by the dual-zone automatic climate system. And finally, comfort also means being able to count on a capacious, versatile luggage compartment over 400 litres in size.

In addition to this, the Concept car combines Lancia class and prestige with a highly technological environment where entertainment is concerned, with an MP3 player and, above all, the innovative Blue&Me® system based on Windows Mobile technology, developed jointly by Fiat Auto and Microsoft, which combines the potential of Bluetooth® technology with that of a ÚSB port so that you can listen to your favourite music recorded on your cell phone, on a new smart phone, on an MP3 player or on a ÚSB pen drive.

The fourth feature that all Lancias share is the design of the interior. The brand has always been synonymous with typically Italian craftsmanship, which produces the perfect complement to the original, refined exterior styling of its models in the design of the interior. And the new concept car is no exception: created by the Lancia Styling Centre, the passenger compartment is a veritable living-room, where the facia, the door panels and the front and rear seats are the maximum expression of Italian refinement and exclusiveness.

That is not all. The fifth value, which is closely linked to the styling of the interior, regards the quality materials used, not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for the sensory reactions that they produce: from the wood finish to the chromed details, the Alcantara and leather finishing details, and the velour mats.

Finally, the Delta HPE Concept car was designed to take a broad range of petrol and diesel engines, all turbocharged and combined with 6-speed gearboxes, manual and robotised, with power outputs ranging from 120 bhp to over 200 bhp, combined with reliable engineering that has been optimised to enhance comfort and handling, with SDC suspension (with electronic damping control) to make driving even more enjoyable.

The Lancia Delta HPE Concept Car is having its world premiere at the 63rd edition of the Venice International Film Festival. The car takes its inspiration from the practical, sporty, elegant car concept embodied in the Lancia Beta HPE during the second half of the Seventies to offer an up-to-date take on the idea of a sporty yet practical saloon (shooting brake).

This medium-sized vehicle (4.5 metres long, 1.8 metres wide and 1.5 metres tall) ensures great roominess (particular in the back) and travelling comfort, outstanding accessibility and a versatile, modular and capacious boot. All this is coupled with a compellingly slender, sporty shape.

The Concept Car reaps the rewards of a century of experience to continue the tradition of the great medium-sized Lancia cars: the Aprilia, the Appia, the Fulvia, the Lancia Beta HPE, the Prisma, the Dedra and the Lybra – offering innovative features that encapsulate the best of Lancia qualities.

The first quality is styling that reinvents the Lancia tradition with original body features: an overhanging ‘flying bridge? roof, a large rear window without a lower frame and a chrome grille that reinterprets the classic Lancia grille of the 1950s for a new generation. A flash of chrome along the side underlines a great expanse of glass and adds an extra sporty touch to the side panels.

The second quality of the new car's design is plenty of room for driver and passengers: the Delta HPE Concept Car is truly at the peak of its category in this respect, with a wheelbase of 2700 mm that translates into extraordinary roominess at the rear, where passengers can experience a standard of comfort worthy of a limousine. A sliding rear seat with reclining backrest allows the already spacious boot to be increased or it can be pushed back and tilted for total relaxation, like a business class seat on an intercontinental flight.

Superlative quality of life on board, is the new model's third trump card for top level motoring: the car offers great noiselessness when in motion due to its sound-absorbent roof - plus plenty of light due to a generous sunroof and side windows. And more: all the relaxed pleasure offered by a sophisticated Bose Hi-Fi with steering wheel controls and the perfect interior temperature assured by an automatic dual zone climate control system. Comfort also means being able to rely on a roomy, versatile luggage compartment of over 400 litres.

The Concept Car also weds Lancia class and prestige with a hi-tech entertainment package, including an MP3 player and, above all, Blue&Me, an innovative Windows Mobile-based system developed through a joint venture between Fiat Auto and Microsoft. This combines the potential of Bluetooth technology with a USB port so that customers can play their own favourite songs recorded on their smart mobiles, their MP3 players or their USB flash drives.

The fourth Lancia quality is interior design. Lancia has always been a byword for Italian craftsmanship and the new car’s interiors offer a judicious complement to the original, sophisticated exterior lines of its models. The new Concept car is no exception: the passenger compartment, produced by the Lancia Style Centre, is a veritable lounge, where the facia, door panels and front and rear seats are the highest expression of Italian exclusivity.

And more. The fifth value, strictly linked to the design of the interior, is the use of top-quality materials that are used not only for their looks, but also the touch sensations they offer: including wood trim, chrome detailing, Alcantara and leather upholstery and velour mats.

Finally, the Delta HPE Concept Car is designed to be equipped with a wide selection of petrol and diesel engines, all turbocharged and combined with 6 speed manual and robotised gearboxes with power ratings ranging from 120 bhp to over 200 bhp, plus tried and tested mechanicals optimised for comfort and handling by means of SDC suspension (with electronic damping control) to further enhance driving satisfaction.