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First Drive: Chrysler Delta. Image by Chrysler.

First Drive: Chrysler Delta
Hand out the glue and badges, Lancia finally arrives in the UK, wearing a winged logo from the USA. Hail the Chrysler Delta.

   



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| First Drive | London, England | Chrysler Delta |

Overall rating: 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5

The Chrysler Delta signals Lancia's back-door return to the UK market wearing a different badge - yet exhibiting its usual design quirkiness. The badge-engineered Delta gives Chrysler an opportunity in the vast family hatchback marketplace, but, decent as the Delta is, it's likely to find it tough in this hard-fought sector.

Key Facts

Model tested: Chrysler Delta 1.4 MultiAir SR
Pricing: £20,495
Engine: 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: five-door hatchback
Rivals: Ford Focus, VW Golf, Alfa Romeo Giulietta
CO2 emissions: 132g/km
Combined economy: 49.6mpg
Top speed: 126mph
0-62mph: 9.2 seconds
Power: 140bhp at 5,000rpm
Torque: 170lb.ft at 1,750rpm

In the Metal: 4 4 4 4 4

Different. That's perhaps the best way to describe the styling. More European than American and no bad thing for it, the Delta's extrovert, swooping lines are rather at odds with Chrysler's usual straight-lined staidness. It'll certainly stand out beside the boxy Voyager and Jeeps in showrooms.

Inside it's thankfully European too, with plastics of a quality that's at least as good as the mainstream rivals it's up against. It's not the most intuitively laid out fascia and some of the contact areas have hard feeling plastics, but it's better than anything ever to wear a Chrysler badge.

Driving it: 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5

Downsizing is evident with the Delta featuring a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 140bhp. That's enough to shift it convincingly enough, with Chrysler quoting a 0-62mph time of 9.2 seconds. Aiming to be a bit more upmarket than its obvious Focus and Golf rivals you could convince yourself it's a cut above for a while, but the driving experience is rather forgettable. The steering is devoid of feel - whether in the super light city or normal modes - and the suspension is a touch busy over our pock-marked tarmac. Factor in gear shift that's lacking in precision and the Chrysler isn't a car that's easily hurried - or enjoyable to do so.

It's quiet though, and the engine is smooth and responsive, even at relatively low revs. The quoted 49.6mpg is optimistic; you'd need to drive it like a saint and downhill everywhere to achieve that. Given the Delta's Lancia badged predecessor was a fire-breathing, gravel-spitting 4x4 rally machine the new car is something of a departure, though it's not without appeal. Others are more enjoyable, though the Delta does do long-legged motorway cruising rather convincingly.

What you get for your Money: 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5

Chrysler has always offered a relatively good value proposition and the new Delta is no different. Even the base cars in S trim benefit from air conditioning and cornering lights. Safety kit is extensive too. Chrysler is claiming the Delta has achieved good predicted residual values, but whether that translates to reality in the relatively conservative UK market remains to be seen.

Worth Noting

It's noticeably spacious and comfortable in the Delta; the rear seats slide to increase passenger or luggage space and the seat backs recline too.

Summary

Refreshingly different, if not exceptional in any other way, the Chrysler Delta adds to the choice in the family hatchback sector. It'll never replace the Golf or Focus in the sales charts, but for buyers wanting something that turns heads and provokes conversation the Chrysler isn't without merit.


Kyle Fortune - 30 Sep 2011



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2011 Chrysler Delta. Image by Chrysler.2011 Chrysler Delta. Image by Chrysler.2011 Chrysler Delta. Image by Chrysler.2011 Chrysler Delta. Image by Chrysler.2011 Chrysler Delta. Image by Chrysler.

2011 Chrysler Delta. Image by Chrysler.2011 Chrysler Delta. Image by Chrysler.2011 Chrysler Delta. Image by Chrysler.2011 Chrysler Delta. Image by Chrysler.2011 Chrysler Delta. Image by Chrysler.



2011 Chrysler Delta. Image by Chrysler.
 

2011 Chrysler Delta. Image by Chrysler.
 

2011 Chrysler Delta. Image by Chrysler.
 

2011 Chrysler Delta. Image by Chrysler.
 

2011 Chrysler Delta. Image by Chrysler.
 

2011 Chrysler Delta. Image by Chrysler.
 

2011 Chrysler Delta. Image by Chrysler.
 

2011 Chrysler Delta. Image by Chrysler.
 






 

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