Musa Poltrona Frau

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The theme of affordable luxury continues with the Lancia Musa Poltrona Frau. This top-of-the-range version of the "city limousine" that has been the best-selling MPV in Italy for two years is equipped with the new 120 hp 1.6 Multijet engine. The exclusive configuration, available in 11 exterior colours (of which four are two-tone) and three interior shades (grey, natural leather and red), also offers seats and a dashboard upholstered entirely in Pelle Frau® leather as well as a wealth of standard equipment including:Granluce sunroof, ESP system, radio and CD player, 16" alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, six airbags and fog lights.
This special series of the Lancia Musa, featuring the Poltrona Frau logo on the central pillar and embroidered on the leather dashboard, is a unique car that combines two renowned names of Italian design. The style, attention to detail and crafted two-tone paint finish typical of Lancia cars are combined with the exclusivity and sophistication of leather and the craftsmanship of Poltrona Frau. For an automotive manufacturer such as Lancia, attention to detail and top-quality materials is crucial. Because the interior environment of all its vehicles is an emotionally involving space featuring great craftsmanship, Poltrona Frau is the ideal partner. Poltrona Frau offers a wealth of knowledge and tradition, superlatively expressed through the way the leather has been worked to preserve its softness, colour and feel. Attention to quality, a quest for the most innovative materials, exclusive manufacturing processes and compliance with specific resistance standards ensure the leather is suitable for use in the automotive industry.
Let us not forget that the partnership between Lancia and Poltrona Frau goes back a long way. It began with Vincenzo Lancia, who in the 1920s asked Renzo Frau to ‘dress’ the cars he built for VIP customers, and continued in 1984 when Poltrona Frau and the Lancia Centro Stile produced the interior of the Thema 8.32, the saloon with a Ferrari engine. More recently, the partnership has extended to the entire Lancia range: from the Dedra to the Y10, and from the Thesis to the Musa and the brand new Delta. The new Lancia Musa Poltrona Frau version is also fitted with the new 120 hp 1.6 Multijet, a cutting-edge turbodiesel engine with Multijet, multivalve technology that underlines the technological excellence of the Fiat Group in the field of diesel engine design and development.
The new engine perfectly combines the best features of Multijet turbodiesel engines with tax breaks and other advantages deriving from the new downsizing philosophy. It is therefore the ideal solution for those who seek an effective compromise between respect for the environment and low running costs, without sacrificing power and flexibility, for real driveability. Compared with the tried and tested 100 hp 1.9 Multijet, the 1.6 Multijet offers better performance, comfort, emissions and running costs, in addition to considerable benefits: torque is nearly 15% higher at the same power (300 Nm at 1,500 rpm) and fuel consumption is 6% lower (measured over an NEDC cycle). All this comes with much improved driveability, due above all to useful torque values at low speeds. These aims have been achieved through a comprehensive optimisation of combustion that exploits the potential of the engine's new injectors to the full.
The 1.6 Multijet delivers an excellent absolute torque, especially considering the cubic capacity: the figure of 300 Nm puts it right at the top of the performance charts for engines of 1.8 litres and below. If we then consider specific torque (i.e. divided by the cubic capacity), the 1.6 is the highest performing engine in the category of power outputs up to 200 hp, with the sole exception of supersport power units. That is not all. If we take into account that the maximum torque is delivered at just 1,500 rpm, we are able to immediately appreciate the extent to which the 1.6 Multijet represents a revolutionary advance on present-day diesel engines: no other, not even a next-gen engine, can deliver such high torque at such low revs. All things considered, the new 1.6 Multijet offers exhilarating driveability that is difficult to match. This is proven by the acceleration (from 0 to 100 km/h in just 9.9 seconds) and the top speed (190 km/h).
Combining the new injection system with next-generation variable geometry turbochargers completes an absolutely outstanding technological picture. In the same way, the 120 hp 1.6 incorporates the most advanced exhaust gas treatment technologies, namely a Close Coupled Diesel Particulate Filter and a built-in EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system that improves control of temperature and gas flow, simultaneously guaranteeing lower emissions and reduced fuel consumption. All this put together enables the engine to comply with Euro 5 standards: this is the best example of the great commitments made throughout the Fiat Group to ensure environmentally friendly motoring.
A Lancia Musa Poltrona Frau with the new 1.6 Multijet engine does not need its first service until 35,000 km, cutting 25% off the costs of ordinary servicing (calculated for distances of 90,000 km or 100,000 km, which are most common for long-term hire contracts).

Lancia at the 63rd Frankfurt International Motor Show

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Lancia is back at the Frankfurt International Motor Show with the Delta, the Ypsilon and the Musa - prestigious cars that showcase the best of Italian style.
The main attraction is the brand new Ypsilon ELLE, the show car born out of a collaboration between Lancia and the ELLE brand, a symbol of modern femininity that sets trends each season with a vast range of women’s clothing and accessories. Further evidence of the link between Lancia and the world of fashion at the Frankfurt show comes in the shape of the Musa Poltrona Frau, the top-of-the-range version of the "city limousine" that has been the best-selling MPV in Italy for nearly two years. This version combines the style and attention to detail of Lancia cars with the exclusive, sophisticated leather and the craftsmanship of Poltrona Frau.
Also making its first appearance on the Musa is the new Start&Stop system, developed by Engineering & Design and FPT in partnership with suppliers such as Bosch and Magneti Marelli, which temporarily switches off and then restarts the engine (when the car is stationary and the engine is idling). Coming just a few months after the launch of the ECOCHIC hybrid petrol/LPG versions, this is yet another example of Lancia being constantly aware of environmental issues by researching and developing concrete and affordable solutions. This strategy can be summed up in the motto "The environment is a luxury we can all afford".
Alongside these exclusive versions, let us not forget the Lancia Delta - a model that embodies the notion of affordable luxury by fulfilling the modern requirements of mobility and prestige thanks to the concept of downsizing, i.e. ensuring performance and luxury at reduced cost, size and consumption levels.
Lancia's latest offerings are on display in new and evocative surroundings: the exhibition area moves away from trade show traditions in favour of a more poetic stand. At the centre of it all are children, their world and their hopes for the future; a forward-looking brand knows how important it is to listen to its customers of tomorrow. This gives rise to a unique setup where children’s universe - 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 child's handwriting is conspicuous 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.
At Frankfurt the public can see the Delta Executive, the new flagship car aimed at business and institutional customers as well as those in diplomatic circles. Its main feature is the rear area of the passenger compartment. The seats are business class: cosier and more comfortable. As they are set further back, there is more legroom, which is especially nice for long journeys. The Delta Executive therefore represents a real modern alternative to bigger, heavier, more expensive flagship cars with higher fuel consumption levels. No wonder it was chosen to transport international delegations at the recent G8 Summit in L'Aquila.
Not forgetting that the Lancia Delta has become the car of the cinema. In fact, over the last year this model has been the official car of the most prestigious film festivals sponsored by the brand: after its debut at the 65th Venice International Film Festival, a fleet of Deltas accompanied film stars to the red carpet in Rome, Barcelona, Milan and Turin. Also, the Lancia Delta was written into the Columbia Sony Pictures film Angels and Demons. But the relationship between the Delta and the cinema does not stop there. Remember that the exclusive saloon was launched internationally in an advert that was more like a short film, featuring the acting talents of Richard Gere and a soundtrack composed by Oscar winner Ennio Morricone.
The second new feature of the Lancia Delta 2009 range is the 200 hp 1.8 Di TurboJet engine - the most powerful in its class. It is an innovative direct petrol injection engine that underlines Lancia's sporty nature and its respect for the environment in terms of low emissions and reduced fuel consumption. All this further enhances the liveliness, flexibility and driveability that have always been features of the model. Produced by Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT) and coming with a modern Sportronic six-speed automatic gearbox, the engine has a maximum output of 200 hp (147 kW) at 5,000 rpm and a peak torque of 320 Nm (32.6 kgm) at 1,400 rpm. With this setup, the Lancia Delta has a top speed of 230 km/h and goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.4 seconds. The car also stands out for its low fuel consumption (7.8 litres per 100 km), reduced CO2 emissions (185 g/km) and Euro 5 compliance.
Visitors to the Motor Show can get a close look at some of the innovative devices recently introduced to enhance comfort and driveability. First, there is the electronic variable damping suspension (Reactive Suspension System) that reduces oscillations and ensures the best possible safety, comfort and handling. Then there is the brand new Sportronic six-speed automatic gearbox with steering wheel controls, which comes together with the 200 hp 1.8 Di TurboJet engine. Lastly, the Lancia Delta features the semi-automatic Magic Parking system.
Many of these technological features - together with the bi-xenon self-adjusting headlights (Adaptive Xenon Light) and built-in satellite navigation system (Instant Nav) - were created as a result of collaboration between Lancia and Magneti Marelli. Not forgetting that the partnership between Fiat Group Automobiles, Magneti Marelli and Microsoft gave rise to Blue&Me, a system that Lancia Delta was the first to offer complete with a 'services' function after teaming up with Telecom Italia, as well as the traditional hands-free, stereo and navigation functions. It should also be remembered that the Blue&Me platform was recently enhanced by a new device: the MediaPlayer Blue&Me adaptor, which allows the car to communicate easily and quickly with an iPod or iPhone.
Finally, the public will be introduced to the products of FGA Capital, a financial joint venture between Fiat Group Automobiles and Crédit Agricole specialising in the automotive sector. Promotional material will be handed out and there will be customised display stands. The company, which works alongside major carmakers, operates in Italy and Europe with a single purpose: to support the sales of Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Fiat Professional and Abarth branded cars by offering innovative financial products incorporating high-added-value services that are aimed at the dealer network as well as private and business customers.

Ypsilon and Musa Ecochic: the new LPG range

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Geneva sees the debut of the show cars anticipating the Lancia Musa and Ypsilon models with dual fuel (LPG and gasoline) which will be launched in March.
Known as “Ecochic”, the new range confirms Lancia’s constant concern with environmental issues through research and development to find practical solutions which are within the reach of everyone and available today (LPG is a “clean”, economical and widely available fuel). “The environment is a luxury we want to be able to afford”: this is the Lancia Ecochic philosophy.
In addition, the new Ecochic range is a timely answer to a growing demand. But whereas the majority of LPG vehicles currently on the streets have been converted to gas using “after-market” installations, Lancia has chosen to enter this sector with a system designed, manufactured and guaranteed by the brand itself and marketed through the normal sales network.
Produced in collaboration with FPT – Fiat Powertrain Technologies - and Landi Renzo, the Lancia dual-fuel models use a 1.4 liter bifuel engine producing 77 HP, specially designed for maximum integration and reliability in association with the LPG system, which is installed in the factory. Each car is certified, approved and guaranteed by Lancia Automobiles and for this reason can benefit from government subsidies in various European countries (for example in Italy these may be up to €2000 and are valid for the whole of 2009).


Technical description

The engine for the LPG versions (designed and supplied by FPT - Fiat Powertrain Technologies) uses a cylinder head with valves and seats manufactured with geometries and materials optimized for LPG operation. In addition, the 1.4 liter bifuel 77 HP engine has a special inlet system to accommodate the LPG injectors and all the associated additional electrical cabling which is already incorporated.
The toroidal (doughnut-shaped) LPG tank is located in the spare wheel well to preserve luggage space (a tire inflation kit comes as standard). In addition, the tank of both Lancia “Ecochic” cars have a capacity of 39 liters (this value allows for the tank filling limit of 80% required by the current regulations).
Lastly, the LPG car retains the possibility of being powered by gasoline: the switch from one fuel to the other can be performed in motion by pressing a special button. If the driver finds that he is running out of LPG fuel, the switch to gasoline will take place automatically, ensuring continuous movement. The overall range is remarkable: almost 1,300 km for the Lancia Ypsilon Ecochic (425 on LPG + 854 on gasoline) and almost 1,200 km for the Lancia Musa Ecochic (419 on LPG + 758 on gasoline).


The advantages of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)

It should be emphasized that, compared with an after-market conversion, an original production car offers many advantages. For example, the use of specific materials and components and the application of a dedicated technology allow the customer to benefit from a contractual warranty from Lancia. In addition, since the modifications to the chassis are carried out in the factory, the car will have the maximum standards of comfort and safety as demonstrated by the many stringent tests to which the various components of the system are subjected. Last but not least, Lancia’s LPG-powered cars may benefit from government purchasing incentives. For example, in Italy, thanks to the reduced levels of CO2 emissions, Ypsilon Ecochic (119 g/km) and Musa Ecochic (120 g/km) will benefit from the maximum allowance of €2,000.
LPG is a hydrocarbon obtained by the process of refining crude oil or directly by extraction, using simple procedures to separate it from the natural gas or oil with which it is associated in the oil or gas fields. Compared with gasoline or diesel, LPG produces fewer pollutant emissions and in particular does not produce PM10 particulates, one of the main causes of atmospheric pollution in urban centers. For this reason, like methane-powered vehicles LPG-powered vehicles can access town centers which have limited traffic zones. Another strong point of LPG is that it does not penalize the roominess or performance of the car. A final advantage of not inconsiderable importance: LPG is considerably cheaper than gasoline or diesel.