The new Ypsilon supermini is not the only Lancia model to wear Chrysler's winged badge in Britain. Joining the Ypsilon's voyage across the British channel is the Lancia Delta hatchback that went on sale today as a Chrysler with a starting price of £16,695 OTR.
The move is part of the Fiat-Chrysler alliance's decision to market all Lancia models in the UK under the Chrysler brand name.
Chrysler is marketing the new Delta a C-segment model with D-segment interio space and features. The five-door model measures 4520mm in length and rides on a 2700mm long wheelbase.
It comes equipped with sliding rear seats that offer a boot space of 465 liters in their most forward position, and 380 liters when placed as far back as possible. With the rear seats folded down, the Delta offers 1190 litres of space on a continuous flat floor.
British buyers can able to choose from four trim levels (S, SE, SR and Limited), and four engines, including two petrols and a pair of diesels.
The petrol engine range comprises of the 1.4-liter T-Jet with 120HP and 206Nm (152 lb-ft) of peak torque that returns a combined 44.8mpg UK (37.3mpg US), and the 1.4-liter MultiAir delivering 140HP and 230Nm (170 lb-ft), with a combined fuel economy of 49.6mpg UK (41.3mpg US).
The more frugal diesel lineup includes the 1.6-liter Multijet with 120HP and 300Nm (222 lb-ft) that returns 60.1mpg UK combined (50mpg US), and the 2.0-liter Multijet with 165HP and 360Nm (266 lb-ft) returning 55.4mpg UK combined (46.1mpg US).
Chrysler brand director Nigel Land says: “People know us for large vehicles such as the Grand Voyager and 300C. We are transferring the values that lie behind those cars to the B and C segments. We are not going for high volumes. We want to be the choice for people who are seeking a credible alternative to traditional segment offerings."
“The Delta will bring D-segment standards of space and quality to the C-segment. This is just the start of our journey as we re-launch the Chrysler brand in the UK. We are now starting to sell cars that are relevant to a more mainstream market. They’ll have all the quality features you would expect from a large Chrysler, integrated into very stylish European designed interiors.”
7 Comments:
Looks like it just had a tooth pulled.
Scroll firther down the Carscoop home page and you'll find out that the new Civic is priced at 16,495 quid.. NO BRAINER OR WHAT
If they bring it to the US here's hoping they get rid of the black roof and the big black back window. If they want anyone to buy them anyway. And maybe widen the grill opening so it looks less like a fish.
We have one (as a Lancia) and it's fine. As a driving machine there are better options certainly, but as something to go to place it's a very nice car.
They can't market Lancias in the UK under their old name, because of press stories that killed the brand in (I believe) the 1980s, about how they rust to bits. The UK press had it in for Lancia for some reason, I never managed to figure out why - it was like Skodas: people made jokes about them (okay, a bit more understandable), eg "How do you double the value of a Skoda? Fill it with petrol." Or: "What do you call a Skoda convertible? A skip." etc. etc.
It was due to the Beta rust scandaly. They soldiered on for while longer, until the early 90's, but nothing could be done to recover the lost image.
A rust scandal that was fabricated by the Daily Mirror, at the behest of the desperate management of British Leyland that was getting its arse kicked by the Italian, German and even Japanese competition.
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