Top Gear Magazine Introduction
Delta spread
The Lancia Delta is back. Not only is it back, but it's coming back to Britain. And not only is it back and coming back to Britain, it's also a bit funny-looking.
Perhaps that's a bit unfair. You can make up your own mind on the looks, but it's certainly an, erm, unmissable face. Then again, the original Delta - at least in non-Integrale form - was hardly a looker, either.
Set to arrive in the UK at the end of this year through Alfa dealerships, the Delta sits on the same platform as the Fiat Bravo. At 450cm long, it's significantly bigger than the Focus/Golf hatch crowd - Lancia describes it as a 'hatchback saloon', which we don't quite understand. Maybe they mean hatchback estate.
Lancia is talking up the Delta's 'premium' features - it has the option of a massive panoramic sunroof, posh leather interior and a tilting rear bench. We're not sure why that's premium, but it's certainly a nice touch.
It'll launch with the choice of two petrol engines - 120bhp and 150bhp 1.4-litre TurboJets - and a 120bhp 1.6-litre diesel, all mated to six-speed manual, automatic or 'robotised' boxes. Later, we'll see two higher powered diesel units and a 200bhp petrol engine.