Lancia are preparing the finishing touches to their facelift Musa B-segment MPV, which will go on sale across most European markets in October later this year. Recent spy photography of a prototype shows the facelifted model largely without camouflage. As the images suggest, most concentration to the facelift will be applied to the rear end. A totally reworked tailgate and rear light units will provide a distinctly different and more upmarket style to the sister Fiat Idea model. The styling will build on the snowballing revival of the Lancia brand image, which was initiated last year with the presentation of the Delta HPE Concept at the Paris Motor Show.

The new rear lights of the Musa will make use of more upmarket LED technology, the first time such technology will be applied to a production Lancia model. A generous use of glass in the tailgate and LED lighting of the new Musa will reflect on the Fioravanti Kandahar concept car, which presented similar rear-end styling treatment on a hypothetical AWD Lancia Musa at the Geneva Motor Show in 2006.

Positioned on the tailgate glass will be the new Lancia badge, along with the Musa script and type designation. The contrasting black of the glass backing is also a typical Lancia design feature, which recalls the cheeky Y10 model from 1985 with its characteristic satin-black tailgate standardised across the entire colour range. Partially blacked off by tape on the new Musa prototype in the pictures are thin chrome strips which continue around the car, on the protective door trims and on the front and rear bumpers.
 

At the rear, this will replace the chunky chrome trim currently placed on the bottom section of the tailgate. A new horizontal section of unpainted plastic underneath the rear bumper will contain the mistlight and reverse light, whilst also providing a wider look to the rear of the car.

The front bumper and grille of the Musa have also been tackled by the stylists at Centro Stile Lancia to bring the model more up-to-date with the recently revised Ypsilon range. Four slats underneath the revised front grille will provide more potent image. The front intake and angled mistlight areas will also have new forms to give a dynamic look to the mini MPV. The front and rear bumpers will also do without the vast swathes of unpainted black plastic, which although less practical, help to give the Musa more prestigious appearance.

The new look of the rear end will also bridge the Musa model with the upcoming and highly important Delta HPE C/D segment hatchback which is due out next year.

by James Granger