19.03.2004 LAST WEEK THE LANCIA GRANDTURISMO CONCEPT REAPPEARED IN PUBLIC ON THE MAZEL STAND IN GENEVA

The Lancia Thesis-based Nea-inspired Granturismo concept which made its debut at last autumn's Paris Motor Show then underwent a further styling exercise and became the Granturismo Stilnovo. The Stilnovo received its world premiere in Barcelona last April.

The original brief was to create a luxury touring saloon which combined the characteristics of a sportscar with practicality. The Lancia Style Centre took up the challenge and two ideas have emerged.

First came the Lancia Granturismo, a prototype created through a joint venture between the Lancia Style Centre, Studio Carcerano and Carrozzeria Maggiora, then the Granturismo Stilnovo, a concept car of huge stylistic appeal that is essentially a living test ground for the shapes and styling cues of future Lancias. 

Barcelona-based engineering and design firm Mazel had strong technical input into the Stilnovo project and after not being seen for nearly a year, the stylish showcar re-appeared in Geneva on their stand a fortnight ago.

Mazel have recently pushed into the arena of automotive prototypes, and as well as their input into the Grandturismo project, they have been actively pushing the proposed rebirth of the historic Hispano-Suiza marque with their HS 21 coupe, HS K8 luxury saloon and HS 21 GTS GT racer concepts. They also built the recent Nissan Micra racing concept.

Photos: Carlo Ombello