INTRODUCTION
 

Lancia Delta reflects perfectly the concept of "Anticrisis Luxury" as it fulfils the current requirements of prestige and mobility thanks to the logic of downsizing - i.e. it ensures high quality and performance, reducing cost, size and fuel consumption. Thanks to these winning characteristics, in March this model became the leader of its car range in Italy and is fast growing at European level. In order to improve these results, today Lancia is launching a new engine and a new version together with a number of technological changes that make this car the reference product for this car range.

The innovations of the 2009 range

The main innovation is represented by the 200 HP 1.8 Di TurboJet engine, the most powerful one of its range. It is an innovative petrol direct injection engine that confirms Lancia's preference for sports cars and, at the same time, its commitment to protect the environment by limiting emissions and fuel consumption.

These qualities are achieved by enhancing its brilliance, flexibility and the pleasure of driving which have always made this model stand out. This engine is produced by FPT – Fiat Powertrain Technologies - and is provided with a modern 6 speed automatic transmission. It delivers a maximum power of 200 HP (147 kw) at 5,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 320 Nm (32.6 Kgm) at 1,400 rpm. With such equipment, Lancia Delta can reach a maximum speed of 230 km/h and goes from 0 to 100 km/h in only 7.4 seconds. At the same time, the car stands out for low fuel consumption (7.8 litres per 100 km), reduced CO2 emissions (185 g/km) and a Euro 5 homologation.

The second innovation is the exclusive Executive version: a car addressed to clients who look for top luxury and comfort. The "top range" was designed to fulfil the requirements of business clients and members of the diplomatic and institutional worlds - as the attention invested in designing a comfortable passenger compartment shows. Seats are wrap around and comfortable as they are designed to business class standards. The back seats are comfortable for long trips with plenty of room for the legs. Therefore, Lancia Delta Executive offers a real, modern, in tune with the time alternative to bigger, heavier and more expensive cars. The fact this car was chosen to be the Official Car for the 9th World Summit of the Nobel Peace Prize held from 11th to 13th December 2008 in Paris - of which Lancia was the Main Sponsor - is not a coincidence. A Lancia Delta Executive fleet will also drive the international authorities to the G8 summit that will take place from the 8th to the 10th of July.

Lastly, the third innovation of the Lancia Delta 2009 range is represented by the marketing of some innovative devices aimed at making driving a comfortable and pleasant experience. First of all, there are the electronic suspensions with a variable damping system (Reactive Suspension System), capable of reducing car vibrations and ensuring maximum levels of safety, comfort and driveability. Then there is the brand new Sportronic 6 gear automatic transmission with controls on the steering wheels (currently the device is provided with only a 200 HP 1.8 Di TurboJet engine). The last technological innovation of the Lancia Delta is represented by the semi-automatic parking system called “Magic Parking”. All these technological innovations were made thanks to the cooperation between the Brand and Magneti Marelli.
 

We cannot forget that the cooperation between Fiat Group Automobiles, Magneti Marelli and Microsoft has given birth to Blue&Me™, a system complete with Telecom service functions - which Lancia Delta is the first one to offer - together with hands free, music player and navigation functions.

Film stars choose Lancia Delta

Lancia Delta was engaged for the Columbia Sony Pictures "Angels and Demons" new film kolossal. This film, inspired by Dan Brown's bestseller of the same title, is on the same line of the "The Da Vinci Code" and is also directed by Ron Howard, with Tom Hanks in the role of professor Langdon. Lancia celebrates this important product placement with a Delta Special Series that enhances the double soul of this model: an angel in terms of carbon emission and a devil in terms of performances. The proof is in the two engines available for this version, the 200 HP 1.8 Di TurboJet and the 190 HP 1.9 TwinTurbo, which ensure a better CO2/HP ratio for this range - i.e. maximum power for minimum emissions. The same winning features can be found in the other two models that make up the “Première Collection”: 105 HP Ypsilon 1.3 Multijet and 95 HP Musa 1.3 Multijet.

The Lancia Delta Limited Range, which is characterized by its pastel colours, a white main body and a polished black roof, has elegant interiors with a black leather and "Sport" Alcantara® covering. The rich equipment makes this range even more interesting: from the climate control system to the fog lights, from the CD MP3 radio to the steering wheels in leather with radio controls, from the Blue&Me™ system to the alloy wheels.

For the movie launch of "Angel and Demons" scheduled for the 15th May, Lancia has decided to launch an original communication campaign that goes under the slogan "One angel, 200 demons". Actions, performance and temperament: these three concepts dominate the commercial that, thanks to an agreement with Sony Pictures, exclusively shows some of the film shots of which the new 200 HP Delta 1.8 Di TurboJet is the protagonist. The press campaign is as sensational as the film as it combines one of the most emblematic film shots with a double image of the new Delta which clearly refers to its double soul: angelic on the outside, but with 200 demons inside. Lastly, a banner campaign and a web competition organised with the help of Sony Pictures, whose prize is of course a Lancia Delta, are about to be launched on the Internet.

However, the relationship between Delta and the film industry does not stop with the new "Angels and Demons" movie. The exclusive Italian sedan was launched at international level with a commercial spot that is a true short film starring actor Richard Gere in the main role and with a soundtrack composed by the master, Oscar winning Ennio Morricone. Furthermore, for the 9th World Summit of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, a film was specially produced to support Aung San Suu Kyi, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 and prisoner of her own country. In Italy, the commercial was supposed to have the voice of Dario Fo as the narrator, a winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. Lancia Delta is increasingly the car chosen by stars. Since last year, this model has been the Official Car of the most prestigious film festivals sponsored by Brand: following its launch at the 65th Venice Film Festival, a fleet of Delta cars drove cinema stars to the red carpets in Rome, Milan and Turin.