Lancia is back at the Bologna Motor Show with a stand full of charm and
elegance, where it is possible to admire its latest innovations with
which it is winning back the turf of exclusivity that has always
belonged to it. This affirmation is backed by a century-old history
peppered with innovation and records. One of the widest ranges on the
international scene proves it. It starts with segment B (new Ypsilon),
continues with the mid-sized segment (new Delta and Musa), and is
completed with the flagship (new Thema), the Large MPVs (new Voyager)
and, soon to come, the alluring segment D convertibles (new Flavia
Cabrio).
They are, without exception, unique products that
eloquently express the values shared by Lancia and Chrysler, which by
now have become a single identity founded on the same will to excel in
the future and on the values engraved in their respective century-old
histories: design and innovation. It is precisely the "dual spirit"
theme essential to the union between Lancia and Chrysler that is the
concept around which the exhibition area is set up, breathing life into a
sinuous motion of expressive shapes and languages in a continuous
alternation between black and white, and between technology and
performance on the one hand and style and elegance on the other. This
stimulating stand lets the public discover the new automotive dynasty
that contains the best of two industrial cultures: the exuberant style,
flair for delivering a "stress-free experience" and functionality all
associated with Chrysler, coupled with the elegance, innovation and love
of manufacturing that have always distinguished Lancia.
Star of the
stand at the Bologna Motor Show is the new Lancia Ypsilon Black&Red
available with the 69 HP 1.2 Fire EVO II and 95 HP turbodiesel 1.3
MultiJet II engines. Offered at the same price as the Gold trim level,
this new trim level is designed as an alternative for a younger target
that prefers contents associated with sporty style and audio technology,
as demonstrated by the 360° Hi-Fi Music system, 15" alloy rims and the
privacy windows. The new Ypsilon Black&Red is characterised by four
body colours (Argilla Red, Vulcano Black, three-layer Fiamma Red and
two-tone Argilla Red with Vulcano Black roof) and by only one youthful
and lively interior where the alternating red and black elements stand
out. The new Ypsilon Black&Red is opposed to the concept of
"monotonous - monochrome". If, in fact, monotonous is someone who always
behaves in the same way, who does not dare and always prefers the same
colour, the customer who chooses the Ypsilon Black&Red is
distinctive because, by definition and in terms of content, the new
version is not monochrome/monotonous. An Ypsilon Platinum 85 HP 0.9
TwinAir representing the extensive range of the Lancia "mini flagship"
is also on display next to the two new Black&Red vehicles.
Offered
for the first time with five doors to welcome lovers of charm,
technological excellence and the unique style of Lancia with enhanced
comfort, the new Ypsilon is a true "concentrate" of elegance, technology
and power in just 3.8 metres. It has been on the major European markets
since June, and starting in September will be sold under the Chrysler
brand in Great Britain and Ireland.
Twenty-five years and more than a
million and a half cars on the road later, the new Lancia "mini
flagship" confirms the basic personality of previous versions,
comprising a distinctive character that seduces with its good looks and
elegance, boosted by cutting-edge technology applied to engines and
comfort which not only delivers reduced emissions and consumption -
thanks to technologies such as TwinAir, MultiJet II and Start&Stop -
but also offers optimum comfort through features unique in this
category, including the brand new "Blue&Me-TomTom LIVE" and the
"Smart fuel" system, in addition to the innovative Magic Parking, Xenon
headlights and LED tail lights.
The spotlights are also trained on
the new Thema and the best Voyager ever, the first two models resulting
from the Lancia and Chrysler alliance that recently won a major
accolade. The flagship in fact has won the prestigious 5-star Euro NCAP,
the top score that this independent consortium has been awarding since
1997 after testing vehicle safety. In the same evaluation session the
Lancia Voyager achieved four stars - just verging on the potential five -
which is a significant improvement compared to the model tested in
2007.
A Thema Executive with the new 239 HP 3.0L V6 MultiJet II and a
Voyager Gold 163 HP 2.8L DS Common Rail, both with trim levels in fine
leather combined with elegant body colours, are on display in Bologna.
The same desire to offer a true alternative in the respective market
segments is at the heart of the two new models. In fact, if on the one
hand the flagship represents a new idea of technological perfection
"dressed" with elegance and Italian style, on the other the Voyager is
the maximum expression of the space shared between excitement and
driving experience.
With a heritage of values in its DNA, Lancia is
favoured over other brands for its ability to interpret this new world
of exclusiveness and to meet the needs of a customer more attentive to
technology, who demands not only a substantial product, but also a
distinctive and unique style. Besides, whoever chooses a Lancia vehicle
starts a new trend because he follows only his own personality. The new
Thema and Voyager, statements of a concrete value Lancia is introducing
to the market for the first time, have been created for this customer.
This value is not meant as innovation for innovation's sake, but as
technology "at the service" of driver and passengers, offered at an
accessible price and above all free from excess and what is superfluous.
The new Thema and Voyager are therefore the first concrete example
of how it is possible to join two worlds so geographically distant yet
so close in their essence. This perfect alchemy expertly combines the
American exterior shape embellished with interiors clearly marked by
Italian taste; powerful engines according to the best American tradition
"softened" by European eco-friendly efficiency; typically American
large dimensions combined with Italian expertise in compact cars; "stars
and stripes" comfort and versatility enhanced by exceptional European
handling.
Available in three trim levels (Gold, Platinum and
Executive) and two engine versions (the Pentastar 286 HP V6 3.6L petrol
engine with e-shift 8-speed automatic gearbox and the new MultiJet II
190 HP and 239 HP 3.0L V6 engine equipped with 5-speed automatic
gearbox), the new Lancia Thema offers an attractive price list which
corresponds to equipment of great value in this market segment. The
largest wealth of features ever offered in the safety field is proof of
that. In fact, there are more than 70 systems installed on the new
Lancia flagship, including Adaptive Speed Control (ACC) that adjusts the
speed and automatically brakes to maintain the safety distance and
"Blind Spot Detection" which signals entry of a vehicle into the blind
spot or Forward Collision (front impact prevention) whose sensor
positioned on the lower part of the front bumper picks up and informs
the driver of potentially dangerous distances. Together with many others
available or offered as standard depending on the trim level, all these
systems make the Thema one of the safest cars on the market, as the
5-star Euro NCAP recently awarded to it shows.
Also contributing to
making the Thema the new paradigm of the segment are the sun roof, the
largest in its market segment with a 70% glass surface, and the
U-Connect
TM system with 8.4" touchscreen, the largest and
most highly advanced of its category that manages all the onboard
functions of the car. And that's not all. The first global flagship
boasts a passenger compartment that is a true best-in-class living room
thanks to its interiors in Nappa leather and real wood inserts. Also its
level of quiet is outstanding. It is embellished with quality materials
that make it warm and exclusive, the result of a historical
craftsmanship that only Italian style can provide.
So if the Thema
marks a new chapter in the legendary history of the large Lancia
saloons, the new Voyager is the evolution of a Chrysler invention born
in 1984 that has totaled more than 13 million units in 120 countries
around the world. Today, thanks to the alliance between the two brands,
the result is the best Voyager ever, a top-of-the-range MPV that takes
up the baton from the Lancia Phedra to write another page in the history
of this category.
In Italy, the Lancia Voyager is offered in the
unique and exclusive Gold version equipped with the 163 HP 2.8L Euro 5
Common Rail diesel engine developed by VM and Fiat. The vehicle is
equipped standard with a wealth of equipment that includes, on the
exterior, 17" diamond-cut alloy wheels and black roof bars, while the
interior flaunts front and rear seats upholstered in high quality
leather complete with heating function, in addition to being adjustable
with electric controls (front seats only). The steering wheel with audio
controls and gear lever knob are also upholstered in leather. The
Voyager's interior was conceived as a cozy and comfortable living room.
It is at the same time sturdy and flexible owing to the Stow'n Go system
patented by Chrysler that allows the second and third rows of seats to
be stowed away inside the floor, delivering a record capacity of 4,100
litres.
Completing the standard equipment of the new Lancia Voyager
are more than 40 active and passive safety features (ESC, 6 airbags,
cruise control, fog lights, automatic headlights, Blind Spot and Cross
Path detection and active pedestrian protection). There are also many
contents that guarantee maximum comfort on board and travelling
pleasure, including the automatic three-zone climate control system,
electric adjustments of seats and pedals, and the U-ConnectTM hands-free
system with iPod/MP3 that integrates the navigation function and the
rear camera for parking assistance. The door mirrors (heated), side
doors and tailgate are also electrically adjustable.
The launch of
the new Lancia continues with the development of iconic models. This is
evident in the New Delta, a milestone Lancia model which heralded a new
concept, bringing the attributes of a flagship to segment C. Its 4.5
metres pack in all the luxury and interior space of a higher category:
the seats recline into chaise-longues, the upholstery reveals quality
textures and passengers are cocooned by an almost magical comfort and
silence on every journey. Recently updated with the 2011 range, today
the new version fitted out with the 120 HP EURO 5 bi-fuel petrol and LPG
1.4 Turbo Jet engine is making its debut in Italy. It will be available
on all European markets in three different trim levels (Steel, Silver
and Gold).
Completing the display in Bologna is the Musa, which
expresses the best Made in Italy craftsmanship capable of combining the
comfort, room and class of a limousine with the agility and compactness
of a city car. The model on display is a 95 HP Platinum 1.4 16v (Euro 5)
with Start&Stop supplied as standard, distinguished by a two-tone
body (Angelico White/Masaccio Black).
Finally, visitors will be
introduced to the products of FGA Capital, a finance company
specialising in the automotive segment, through illustrative materials
and certain dedicated publications handed out at the stand. The finance
company operates in Italy (with the Sava and Leasys-Savarent brands)
and across Europe with a sole mission: supporting the sales of all Fiat
Group Automobiles brand vehicles, and therefore of Lancia, by offering
innovative financial products with high added value services dedicated
to the dealership network, private customers and companies.
