Nuova Lancia Phedra - Elegant and innovative, the Phedra is also one of the safest models of its segment, having won the coveted five stars of the European New Car Assessment Program.

Elegant and innovative, Lancia Phedra is also one of the safest models of its segment, having won the coveted five stars of the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP), which places it at the top of the segment in terms of safety (both active and passive).

This important award is above all the recognition of Lancia’s unsparing attention to all aspects of driver and passenger protection, an established part of the design process covering both body and vehicle components, from dash to seats, to occupant restraint systems. For the Nuova Phedra this effort yielded excellent results, as shown by the Euro NCAP award. To attain this goal, designers reviewed all types of possible impacts, including front, side, overturn, rear end and fire hazard. Impact speeds were also taken into account, together with the different types of obstacles and different types of occupants. In-depth evaluation of all these parameters resulted in various technical options which make the Nuova Phedra one of the safest cars of the entire segment.

Total protection, starting with an array of passive safety devices fitted as standard equipment, including dual multi-stage front airbags, two front side airbags, two window airbags protecting side passengers of the three rows of seats. Moreover, the Nuova Phedra incorporates passenger seat sensors (for airbag activation on impact) and visual and audible warning systems for front seat belts. Plus lap-and-diagonals with pretensioners and load limiters (excluding centre seat of second row), headrests adjustable for height and rake (front). And the centralized door locking system, as well as the Isofix mounting points for child safety harness, supplemented by grandangle rearview mirror for monitoring rear seats and driver controlled sliding door and rear window lockup. Finally, automatic door lock release and fuel supply cut-off in case of impact.

The Lancia MPV behaviour on the road is always consistent and predictable, is forgiving in case of driver’s errors and will help him to pull away from critical situations without trouble. As regards active safety the Nuova Phedra, in addition to a high-performance brake system, boasts leading-edge electronics for dynamic vehicle control during braking and traction.

All versions have ABS and EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution), a device which adjusts brake pressure to the rear axle to prevent wheel lockup, thereby ensuring that the vehicle is under control at all times and in all conditions. Standard equipment also includes a Brake Assistance Device (BAD) for emergency braking; on cars fitted with ESP the BAD function is electronically controlled by the ABS ECU and is known as HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assistance).

For maximum vehicle control in all circumstances, all Lancia Phedras incorporate ESP (Electronic Stability Program), a device which is designed to cut in in limit conditions, i.e. when vehicle stability is at risk, helping the driver to resume full control. Moreover, the new model is equipped with ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation), a device designed to control driving wheel spin on low-adhesion road surfaces. This automatic traction control system operates regardless of speed to adjust torque in relation to the coefficient of wheel adhesion. When changing down suddenly from a higher gear in low-adhesion conditions, the MSR (Motor Schleppmoment Regelung) cuts in to increase engine torque, thereby avoiding wheel skidding due to lock-up. A comprehensive package aimed at improving safety when the Nuova Phedra is on the move. To govern these devices, an ECU-driven ‘intelligent central nervous system’ was purpose-designed to process signals received from sensors located around the vehicle and react accordingly.

Last but not least, the highly effective brake system of the Nuova Phedra ensures prompt and progressive vehicle deceleration and reduced stopping distances. On sudden, prolonged braking, the automatic emergency warning system cuts in turning on the hazard warning lights to promptly alert the following drivers. Some versions also incorporate headlamp washers, cruise control, Xenon lamps (standard on the Platino) rain sensor, park sensors, auto. external lights activation sensor and deflated tire sensor.