Soon you can buy a Lancia stateside again...

[KeppelmanJ]

...only it will be called a Chrysler: The Chrysler Delta

http://jalopnik.com/5445216/delta-forced-first-lancia-rebadged-as-chrysler

[Fingers]

The grill spoils it I think, sad day for Lancia not to be using their own name but it will help sales numbers I guess. And there may be a chance that we'll get it all the way down here if it's a Chrysler. I'm sure you could get an original Lancia grill easily enough too.

[fay66]

...only it will be called a Chrysler: The Chrysler Delta

http://jalopnik.com/5445216/delta-forced-first-lancia-rebadged-as-chrysler
Talking about swopping the grille for a Lancia one, I've seen the new Delta in the metal and I maybe wrong but the Chrysler Grille looks far bigger than the Lancia grille.
Pity you've got some idiot who probably hasn't even driven it making disparaging comments about Mediocre European cars, mind you we have to suffer Jeremy Clarkson,so why should you get away without suffering as well.

[DJ]

What an ass of a "reporter". Of course, he didn't seem to have any reference to a non-mediocre Chrysler or any other sort of US auto.

[Zagato78]

Yes it's cool to see Lancia heading this way. However, with a Mopar badge on it really spoils it for me. That and I just don't view Lancia as I used to. The company (to me) is radically different. No rallying, no trend setting performance cars. Lancias heritage always straddled the luxury cars, tech innovation, and racing. Feels like they've lost a big part of what made them different. Hell, maybe I'm just getting old.....

[1,6 HF]

DJ: Reporter? It's not even worth using that term in quotation marks; it's on Jalopnick, for crying out loud.

Brian: The original Delta grille isn't a thing of beauty; this one's a bit clumsier, but it's no bigger. Fingers has it right; just buy a real Delta grille with Lancia badge and swap it out. After all, a "badge -engineered" car can always be reverse enigneered.

Zag78: No question; Lancia is a shadow of its former self. Given its niche within Fiat Group, it's hard to see it regaining any of its competition heritage. Sadly.

In reality, of course, factory competition didn't factor into most of Lancia's 100+-year history--mostly just mid-'50s to early '90s. And as great a loss as that is, I think the loss of innovative engineering is even worse. Still, I'd much rather have Lancia exist in its current form than not at all; where there's life there's hope.

[rossocorsa]

they say it is mediocre but it must appear like a rolls royce in comparison with Chrysler's current offerings if it has the same build quality as the lancia version. i have a rather horrible feeling that we might see this in the UK in chrysler dealerships they got as far as engineering the RHD delta then backed off this may well be their chance to go for it and without all the rusty beta quips from the press and the plus of an instant established dealer network

[fay66]

DJ: Reporter? It's not even worth using that term in quotation marks; it's on Jalopnick, for crying out loud.

Brian: The original Delta grille isn't a thing of beauty; this one's a bit clumsier, but it's no bigger. Fingers has it right; just buy a real Delta grille with Lancia badge and swap it out. After all, a "badge -engineered" car can always be reverse enigneered.

Zag78: No question; Lancia is a shadow of its former self. Given its niche within Fiat Group, it's hard to see it regaining any of its competition heritage. Sadly.

In reality, of course, factory competition didn't factor into most of Lancia's 100+-year history--mostly just mid-'50s to early '90s. And as great a loss as that is, I think the loss of innovative engineering is even worse. Still, I'd much rather have Lancia exist in its current form than not at all; where there's life there's hope.

Hi Ed,
fingers will get himself a really nice modern Lancia if the grille will fit, contrary to the impression given by this joker, those of us who have seen the New Delta would have been very pleased to have had it lead Lancia back into the UK in RHD, it's a far nicer car in the metal than in the photos, the best view is from 3/4 rear, I might come as a surprise, although I doubt it, that there were a fair number of those who have seen it, who were not estatic about the front forward of the front wheels, but it grows on you, it looks worse in the photos than in the metal.
We have 3 members who liked it so much they went and ordered one each from Holland, and personally imported them to the UK, it's a stylish modern Lancia with an excellent build quality, very fuel efficient and in diesel versions return best part of 50mpg or more, while even the petrol engines return 40+ mpg. I don't think anyone who buys one will be disappointed, it still has Lancia Genes and drives differently, so I understand, to Fiat Groups other products, as do all other modern Lancia's.
One quirk that's arisen because of the intended return to RHD, is that the personal imports from Holland were able to specify RHD headlamps (Not available for any other current Lancia) and the correct Rear Fog lamp and reversing lights with their new cars, although MPH speedos weren't available, the owners have had the KM speedos modified. They also had to get UK Single Vehicle Approval SVA, which they obtained with no problem.
I'd certainly like one.
Brian

[Fingers]

A much better write up here.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/01/surprise-lancia-shows-up-in-detroit-wearing-chrysler-badge/1

And I'm sure there are more around. Maybe the 2003 Fulvia concept will be the next Crossfire? Ha ha.

[DJ]

DJ: Reporter? It's not even worth using that term in quotation marks; it's on Jalopnick, for crying out loud.

Couldn't agree more. But he seems to thinks he's one. I was just playing loose with the facts. No intention of lending him any credibility. :)

[DJ]

If this really is a true-blue Delta with only new badges, this could be my wife's next car.

Wonder if they'll bring the diesel version.

[davidb]

Good question D.J.. I Wipedia-ed Deltas. 6 different engines?
What will they send here? Well . . . if it happens?

[Geoff]

Its an interesting car - looks better on the street than it does in promo literature. Maybe this is "dynamic styling" - you have to see it in the flesh to appreciate it. Much like all the Lancias before.

Shots from Turin this summer.

[1,6 HF]

If this really is a true-blue Delta with only new badges, this could be my wife's next car...

If it's the real thing, other than grille and badges, I'll buy one to replace my now-orphan Saab 9-3.

[Geoff]

If it's the real thing, other than grille and badges, I'll buy one to replace my now-orphan Saab 9-3.

The idea of a new Lancia in the US boggles the mind. I just can't get my head around it as a reality. Gee, maybe it will (won't) happen. Not sure which is better....

Geoff