Lancia is back at the Bologna Motor Show with the Delta, the Ypsilon and the Musa – prestigious cars that showcase the best of European style – along with some Chrysler vehicles (Grand Voyager Limited Editions and 300C Touring SRT Design) to seal the recent alliance of two brands that have made the history of the automobile on both sides of the ocean. This union has formed a new organisation – a sort of modern hero of two worlds that will have many new things to say – under the banner of their shared values: elegance, technological innovation, illustrious history and the will to excel in the future.
It should be underscored that the cars of Lancia and Chrysler are hosted in a suggestive setting with children, their world, and their desires for the future in the middle of everything. Because a brand with its sights set on the future recognises the importance of listening to the little ones who will be making the world big one day. This gives rise to a unique setup where the world of children – particularly their handwriting – joins together with the latest fashions and colours. Large blackboards form the ideal surfaces for a story; leaves on the pavement become footrests with displays; the road itself is simply drawn out in chalk. A little boy’s handwriting features on the walls, while the black slate is dominated by trails of white and blue light. Everything can be written on – there are no boundaries to fantasy.
On show for the first time in Bologna is the Ypsilon 2011 Collection, the latest model in a successful line based upon original design, fine craftsmanship and affordable luxury presenting a rationalisation of the supply and new design features that accentuate the family feeling of Lancia cars. After all, a car’s success is the result of winning a bet, a styling intuition moderated by a study of the latest style trends and emerging customer needs. In short, it stems from a hard recipe that is tested by the most severe judge: time.
At the Motor Show the public can admire a Lancia Ypsilon 2011 Collection with Platinum top of the range trim powered by the new 69 HP 1.2 Euro 5 compliant engine that returns a low level of CO2 emissions of just 114 g/km, a leader in the segment of low emissions and consumption. Lined up beside Lancia’s fashion city car is a Musa 5th Avenue concept car, a special series designed to convey the sensations aroused by the best jewellery on a car through the use of top-quality interior materials and timeless exterior colours. This is exemplified by the model on show, which features a two-tone livery (Angelico white and black top) with seats and dashboard in ivory Poltrona Frau® leather. Moreover, the car on show is powered by a 77 HP 1.4 bi-fuel (petrol- LPG) Euro 5 compliant engine and confirms the constant attention focused by Lancia Automobiles on environmental themes through research and development of tangible solutions that are within everybody’s reach and available now (LPG is a “clean”, economical and widely available fuel). Without forgetting that Lancia’s LPT range – composed of the models Musa, Delta and Ypsilon – represents an innovative eco-friendly car concept because they are luxurious, yet affordable, spacious yet compact and lively yet thrifty with fuel.
Spotlights were also on the Lancia Delta presented in Bologna with two versions: a Hard Black one with 200 HP 1.8 Di TurboJet engine and a Platinum model with 140 HP 1.4 MultiAir Euro 5 with Start&Stop system as standard. Specifically, the Hard Black special series also offers some important style and product innovations. Prominent among these is a special opaque black body treatment: it is the first car not produced in a limited series to sport this exclusive paint finish which requires a long painting process (over 4 hours per car). The model on show comes with a powerful 200 HP 1.8 Di TurboJet engine combined with a modern Sportronic six-speed automatic transmission, allowing the Lancia Delta to reach a top speed of 230 km/h and go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.4 seconds. The car is also distinguished by its low fuel consumption (7.8 litres per 100 km), reduced emissions of CO2 (185 g/km) and Euro 5 compliance.
The Lancia Delta Platinum comes with the latest 140 HP 1.4 Multiair Turbo power unit, one of the best petrol engines in the world in terms of its emission/power ratio (just 132 g/km over a combined cycle). It is also the best in its class in terms of fuel consumption and torque availability within the relevant power band: 5.7 l/100 km over a combined cycle and maximum torque of 230 Nm at 1750 rpm.
The exhibition in Bologna ends with two Chrysler models: a Grand Voyager Limited Edition and a 300C Touring SRT Design. The first car is the genuine expression of the Chrysler brand’s stress-free experience, an innovative model which revolutionised American mobility, creating the minivan segment in 1983 and becoming its point of reference. With 13 million units sold worldwide and its 5.14 metres of length, which make it the largest MPV on the market, the Chrysler Grand Voyager is segment leader in terms of comfort, versatility and driving pleasure. The model displayed in Bologna is the Chrysler Grand Voyager Limited Edition equipped with a 2.8 litre turbodiesel common-rail 163 HP engine, 360 Nm of torque, six-speed automatic transmission and Stow ‘n Go seat configuration system with electric folding rear seat.
The second car is a Chrysler 300C Touring SRT Design. The efficient 3.0 litre V6 turbodiesel common-rail power unit with 218 HP mounted on the Chrysler 300C gets a sporty look from 20” wheels, bucket seats and details like a Gran Turismo. Bucket seats with suede leather inserts and SRT logo embroidered on the backrest, sporty steering wheel and exclusive finishes with carbon fibre pattern on interior upholstery and the dashboard complete the sporty look of the Chrysler 300C Touring SRT Design.
Lastly, brochures and customised totems at the stand will introduce visitors to the products of FGA Capital, a finance company (joint venture set up between Fiat Group Automobiles and Cr?dit Agricole) that specialises in the automotive segment. The finance company operates within Italy and across Europe with a single mission: supporting the sales of all Fiat Group Automobiles and Chrysler brand vehicles by offering innovative financial products with high added value services dedicated to the dealership network, private customers and companies.
