Lancia Delta

The Lancia Delta car was produced in three generations (the first — from 1979 to 1994, the second — from 1993 to 1999 and the third — from 2008 to 2014). The first and third generations were presented only by a five-door hatchback, the second generation was presented by Lancia Delta HPE three-door hatchback and Lancia Hyena coupe. At the turn of the 1990th, Lancia Delta was one of the leaders on World Rally Championship. In 1980 it was recognized as the European car of year.

Model I generation

The car, designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, was presented at the motor show in Frankfurt in 1979. Lancia Delta featured some technologies, innovative for the time: bumpers were made of fiberglass-enriched polyester resin, windscreen wipers worked in three modes, and the rear screen had function of heating. Thanks to a wide choice of packages, Lancia Delta cars were very popular in the 1980th years.

Model I generation restylings

In 1982 the first facelift of the model took place, as a result of this three-section bumpers became integral, and the front one had a spoiler. Lancia Delta became 40 kg lighter, and new comfortable seats were placed in the passenger compartment.

In May, 1986, Lancia Delta cars got more prominent headlights and new front bumpers with fog lights. The radiator grille was also changed.

The third restyling of the model took place in 1990. Lancia Delta cars had new colours of body painting and better materials of inner trimming.

Model II generation

The presentation of the second generation of the model took place in 1993 at the motor show in Geneva. This generation was far less popular because of its nondescript exterior and refusal to participate in international racing competitions. Despite efforts of the Italian press, advertising spaciousness and comfort of Lancia Delta, consumers were disappointed.

Model II generation restyling

In 1996 a slight facelift of Lancia Delta took place: cars had new cast disks, chrome trimming of the radiator grille and rear-view mirror painted in body colour.

In 1999 Lancia Delta was removed from the model range of the producer.

Model III generation

In September, 2006, Lancia declared revival of the model. The presentation of the third generation of Lancia Delta, designed on the Fiat C platform, took place in 2008 in Geneva. In new cars the emphasis was placed on identity of style, but not on the technological novelties as exterior of the Lancia Delta of the third generation had to set the tone for all model range of the producer.

In 2008 the third generation of the model received 5 stars by results of Euro NCAP crash tests.

Model III generation restylings

After merger of the Fiat Group and Chrysler company, the restyling of Lancia Delta aimed at the North American market was presented at the motor show in Detroit at the end of 2010. Minor changes affected the radiator grille, Lancia emblem was replaced by the Chrysler logo. In 2013 at the Frankfurt motor show the second restyling of Lancia Delta cars of III generation was presented. Changes were insignificant again: bumpers and side tuning were painted in the body colour, the exhaust pipe became double.

Lancia Delta in the markets of the different countries

In the early eighties within cooperation of the Fiat Group and Saab company Lancia Delta cars were sold in Sweden and Norway under the name of Saab 600.