MomoDesign has been famous for putting timepieces and custom steering wheels in the hands of the right personalities since 1981. Lancia on the other hand has been an automotive manufacturer with a history of making cars that have not always been awesome, except perhaps in rally form. Put the two in a room together with a bottle of Italian grapes and you get the Lancia Delta S by MomoDesign. This new five-door hatchback offering from the Fiat Group features mostly aesthetic refinements, with a few performance options to back up the makeover.
Externally the Lancia features visual aids in the form of color keyed body parts, shiny headlight trimmings, 18-inch rims and chromed exhaust pipes, which are all visually distracting, though inside is where MomoDesign’s talents are better put to use. A gloss black central console supports the speedometer with yellow details, while blue stitching is located about the steering wheel, gear lever gaiter, handbrake lever and door panels.
Thanks to its Italian heritage, the Delta S incorporates a few contemporary design features. Up front, Lancia’s signature grille treatment is complemented by dual halogen lights, underlined with LED string, that taper in towards the grille and upward and out along the front flanks. From the back and three-quarter view, and depending on the coloring, the Lancia appears either stylish in contrasting colors, or like a Ford Focus in a single color palette. From on high at the rear, the large sunroof covers most of the roof area, while tapering side windows rise up to meet the roofline at the hatchback pivot point.
Rear taillights curve up and over the rear fender, blending into the descending waistline treatment that brackets the narrowed hatch. The design treatment of the taillights puts them too far out to the sides, leaving them alone, to fend for themselves. Overall, the design appears European and contemporary (depending on where you’re standing, the light, and the color scheme).
Technological goodies come in the form of "you’re leaving the road" sensors, and Lancia’s AHS (absolute handling system) the companies take on traction control. Bluetooth hands-free systems, steering wheel mounted controls and a large in-dash multi-functional display are also part of the S deal.
Under the hood of the Delta S is a 1.9-liter Twin Turbo MultiJet engine capable of producing 190 hp and 295 lb.ft. (400 Nm) of torque way down low at 2,000 rpm. The Lancia's copious amounts of torque translate into excellent low end power resulting in a top speed of 222 km/h (138 mph) and a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) run of 7.9 seconds. The Lancia’s twin turbo configuration works off one smaller turbo, providing quicker spin up and power input, while the larger takes over for increased top end performance. Mileage figures are respectable at 6.8 L/km (41.3 mpg) and a range of 848 km (526 miles).
Lancia partnered with MomoDesign in 2007 to create a special edition of the Ypsilon mini, the Ypsilon Sport MomoDesign.
From an innovative perspective, Lancia’s Delta S is more show than go, but given the MomoDesign affiliation, it’s likely the car will do well in European markets. The Delta S for lists out for €26,400.
Source: Lancia
