| All-new model | 2009 Lancia Delta |

Depending on your age, the name Lancia might mean innovation, terminal rust, world rallying or nothing at all. Hurt by the scandal of rusty cars and subsequent slow sales Lancia pulled out of the UK in 1994, deciding that the cost of moving the steering wheel to the other side was not worth it.

Since then, new models have come and gone and now there is a new Delta, which will, in 2009, mark Lancia's return to Britain. Selected Alfa Romeo dealers will stock the Delta and any other Lancia models that come here.

The new Delta is bold and distinctive with a large grille, dramatic creases and optional two-tone paint. Inside, Lancia has gone for a touch of luxury. The sliding rear seat can be adjusted to trade boot space for rear leg room and the backrest can be reclined - a first in this class.

Lancia will offer a range of turbocharged engines mated to six-speed transmissions. All engines are designed to comply with the latest Euro 5 emissions legislation. A variety of traction and stability control systems to limit understeer and automatically correct oversteer will help keep the Lancia on the road, while electronic variable damping will be fitted in a bid to offer drivers a sharp steer without sacrificing ride comfort. Lancia will even offer a parking assistant that steers the car into a space while the driver controls accelerator and brake.

In the future, Lancia may cash in on the Delta's rallying heritage with a high performance four-wheel drive version. A Lancia SUV would be a good way to establish the marque as a premium brand and the Fiat group is not represented in this area of the market. Many people would like to see Lancia build a stylish coupé like the recent Fulvia concept car. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne did hint, back in 2006, that something along those lines was highly probable.

John Lambert - 9 Jun 2008