The Granturismo Stilnovo concept, first shown at Barcelona in 2002, is a great example of the ability of Lancia's design department. It is elegant and futuristic, but with a deft sporting touch – a beautifully-done recreation of the Beta HPE concept.

In harnessing those three elements of elegance, innovation and sportiness and bringing them together, the Stilnovo sums up the essence of Lancia better than words ever can. It's possible for Lancia's team to do far worse than study this car for inspiration when the time comes to pen the next generation of Lancias. And it is not alone.

When talk among marque devotees turns to the present day, one subject is overpowering: the new Fulvia. No words can have been written in exaggeration about the design of this car.
 

It may simply have been intended, at first, as a styling exercise, never intended for the road, but it has become a symbol for far more. It has become a totem for Lancisti, a reminder that their marque of choice still has some of the best design talent in the world at its disposal.

Not only that, it is a perfect representation of everything Lancia stands for in this day and age. As a piece of design, it is, quite simply, stunning. As a symbol, its scope extends far beyond that.  One of the defining characteristics of any Lancia is outward beauty and few would deny this is something the Fulvia has in spades.

Also like a true Lancia, the beauty is not simply skin-deep. Those who have been lucky enough to drive the concept report great things of the experience, with a return to the basics. No driver aids, no wasteful extravagances, just a lightweight body housing a 140bhp engine.

In order to really feel what is going on while you are driving, it is said, you must be at one with the car, without the anaesthetised feel present in so many cars these days. The Fulvia delivers on that promise.

The new Fulvia, like its namesake, might not be outrageously fast, but it  has enough power for a balanced package - perhaps the most fundamental hallmark of every great Lancia which has gone before.

If you were asked to use one word to summarise the marque throughout time, it would surely be the B-word - the way every facet of the car works in harmony, no one characteristic overpowering the other, but equally, each aspect being strong enough to be prominent and obvious to the driver.

And it is perhaps in this aspect where many of the most pointed criticisms of the marque are aimed today.
 

If something is missing from the current range, it is perhaps the lack of any devoted sporting models to the cause. Lancia have traditionally concentrated on elegant luxury, but being Italian, there has always been a sporting aspect too, which is central to their appeal.

Lancias are not Mercedes or Audis - for the cognescenti, their appeal is in offering a balance between luxury, style and, crucially, driving pleasure.

But the Ypsilon shown at the Brussels Motor Show earlier tis year, which displayed a subtle bodykit, provided a hint of hope that there are rumblings from within Lancia that they are willing to heed the call. Surely some tuned HF versions, perhaps beginning with a Ypsilon HF and progressing through the new Delta and Lybra too, would be a highly effective reminder to Lancisti that their marque has definitively found the 'spirit' again, that it once again is capable of providing the prized achievement of 'balance'?