One benefit of Fiat-Chrysler alliance for Lancia was what professionals call badge engineering! That means they get the Chryslers, make a few styling tweaks, put a Lancia badge on it, and there’s your new model. So Lancia’s Geneva lineup is basically the same as Chrysler!
The most anticipated car is of course the Lancia Thema or Chrysler 300, the new one. It gets the 292 hp 3.6 liter V6 engine, slightly revised bumpers, and 22” rims from Lineaccessori Lancia and a panoramic electric sunroof. It is the Platinum trim level and features built-in 8.4 inch radio navigator with UConnect touchscreen system, Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Collision Warning and Parkview Rear Back-Up Camera.
Chrysler 200 is called Lancia Flavia in Europe and comes as both four-door sedan and two-door convertible featuring a folding metal roof. Even though Lancia says that it is a unique interpretation of the Chrysler 200, but to be honest we’re struggling to spot the differences that make it unique! Its just a 200 which not very good nor pretty.
Both variants of Flavia are fully loaded models with equipments including extensive equipment level with impressive features as standard: from electronic stability control (ESC), numerous airbags (multi-stage front, side and window-bags) and electronic traction control to a steering wheel with integrated controls for completely safe management of radio, cruise control and mobile phone.
Then there’s the Grand Voyager, which is ought to replace the Lancia Phedra. It features a Euro5-compliant 283 HP 3.6 engine. The external bodywork is in metallic Brilliant Black and the interiors feature fine leather upholstery, in addition to an electric sunroof, super console, multimedia entertainment system, Blind Spot and Cross Path Detection.
Besides the Chryslers, Lancia will also show some of their own cars. Come to think of it, even these cars are not real Lancias, they’re Fiats with Lancia badge. Lancia is just making badges these days!
The picture above is the new Delta. It is a roomy and stylish hatchback which like the rest of new Lancias features the new signature grille. Other features of this flagship model include 105 HP 1.6 MultiJet engine and characterised by two-tone “White Zenith” bodywork with a “Black Lava” roof, interiors in Leather and beige Alcantara®, dual zone automatic climate control, cruise control, the Blue&Me™ system and burnished 17? alloy wheels.
What we really liked in Lancia’s 2011 lineup is the new Ypsilon, which they refer to as mini-flagship! This is a genuinely interesting car, pity it looks just too girly though!
Depending on versions, Lancia Ypsilon comes with: an automatic climate control system, fog lights, 16” rims personalised with the “Y” logo, cruise control, a leather steering wheel with controls, CD radio with MP3-CD player, Blue&Me system, dusk and rain sensors, parking sensors, a 500W surround sound Hi-Fi Music system, xenon headlights, the Gran Luce sunroof and the brand new “Blue&Me-TomTom LIVE” satellite navigation system. Lastly, Lineaccessori offers chrome-plated elements for the door mouldings, mirror fairings and front headlight frames, as well as the distinctive kit on the central tunnel which is perfect for keeping personal items (from mobile phone to credit cards) conveniently to hand.
They will show different editions of the car at Geneva Motor Show which include a 95 HP 1.3 MultiJet two-tone model (light grey/dark grey) with Castiglio® seats; a 85 HP 0.9 TwinAir model with DFN automatic gearbox, sporting white three-layer bodywork and brown leather upholstery; lastly, bringing up the rear is another 85 HP 0.9 TwinAir “decked out” in an intriguing iridescent Black, a distinctive shade with a base of micalised gold pigment
