Lancia

Lancia (Fiat Auto S. р. A.) – Italian company specializing in automobiles manufacturing with headquarters in Turin (Piedmont, Italy).
Lancia was founded in 1906 in Turin, on November, 27 by famous racer Vincenzo Lancia and his companion – Claudio Fodgiolin as company named Fabbrica Automobili Lancia.

On September, 1907 first Lancia model – 18-24 HP appeared. Later Vincenzo Lancia was naming his cars after Greek alphabet letters. First model was named Lancia Alfa. It was an unusual model with high torque (1800 rpm), 4-cylinders, 2543 cc displacement, 28 h/p capacity. Alfa had rear-wheels drive, 4-speed transmission, shaft instead of chain-drive as most cars of the time had. Still possessing successful technical solutions Lancia Alfa couldn’t hope pretend for joining high automobile community of its time.

Soon in 1908 young Lancia enterprise constructed new model – Dialfa. Dialfa formally was revised version of Alfa but was one of the first model worldwide equipped with 16-cylinder engine!
In 1913 big Lancia Theta was constructed which stood out for its electric lighting basic package feature while the rest car companies offered this amenity for additional fee.

Theta arranged with 4940 cc 4-cylinders power unit produced 70 h/p and could run up to 70 km/h speed. Lancia Theta became famous for its high reliability as one automotive historian was writing about it: “only professional auto kamikaze can break this car!”

WW I set its own priorities and at Italian government order Lancia was transformed into military enterprise. Luxury cars manufacturing was removed for trucks, special automobiles and military vehicles construction. Still during the WW I 8- and 12-cylinder engines were invented.

On the whole the war contributed Lancia development as a company as by 1919 plant useful areas increased up to 60 000 m/sq.. The first model appeared after WWI was Lancia Kappa which was constructed on Theta base.

In 1921 Lambda model launching marked the golden age of the company. Lambda was the first car in the world with bearing body. Concurrently Vincenzo Lancia initiated development of independent suspension. Battisto Falchetto, company engineer presented soon to his chief 14 variants of front suspension structure who chose one of them, the best in his opinion, – using vertical shock absorber pillars (candle type). Later Battisto Falchetto designed body for Lancia Aprilia model.

In October, 1922, at Paris Motor Show Lancia Lambda created a furore. This model was manufactured between 1921 and 1931 in 13 000 numbers totally. It experienced 9 modernizations named series. In 1928 racing version of Lancia Lambda won third position in Mille Miglia race. Gaining new variations Lancia Lambda was manufactured up to 1938 though under new name of Dilambda and new 8-cylinder engine.

The peculiar feature of next Lancia model – Astura – was new patented mechanism of fastening engine and body frame. Suspension of new V8 engine with 72 h/p worked so perfectly that Astura’s contemporaries could hardly guess whether car was started or not. Astura was a top class model though Lancia was manufacturing model of lower class such as Lancia Artena (V4, 1924 cc engine) and Lancia Augusta with bearing body-type and Lockheed hydro brake system.

Vincenzo Lancia died in February 15, 1937. Aprilia came out right this year. This car brought a lot of glory to Lancia company.

Next Lancia model – Aurelia was designed by legendary constructor – Vittorio Yano, who was constructing Alfa Romeo models in 1920s-30s. Yano equipped Aurelia with aluminum V6 1754 cc engine producing 56 h/p at 4000 rpm though. That was a risky construction solution as for the moment V6 engine type was considered hard for balancing. In addition Lancia Aurelia was endowed with plowing doors without central pillars designed by Pininfarina car body atelier.

Next luxury model – Lancia Flaminia came in 1957. This beautiful car could run 160 km/h and stood out for rear window wipers both in outside and in inside for removing steam condensate as well in the inner. First introduced in 1957 at Geneva International Auto Show Lancia Flaminia 13 years up to 1970 was the flagship model of the company.

In 1970 Lancia was affiliated by Fiat and new historical stage in company’s history began.
1990s were marked by manufacturing classical models gamut including Ypsilon, Delta, Dedra, Kappa and Zeta. In 2000 Dedra was succeeded by Lybra. Company’s focus was shifted towards most luxury models manufacturing among all of Fiat’s automobile brands.

Lancia Ypsilon model – the smallest among Lancia models was destined to replace Lancia Y-10. Ypsilon was first introduced in 1995 at Geneva International Motor Show. This model was equipped with 1.2 60 h/p engine, 4 valves per cylinder; in LS package Ypsilon was attached also by PAS feature.

Elefantino version of Lancia Ypsilon launched in 1997 had mid pillars decorated with dark blue elephants drawings as well as stylish interior coloration.

Delta model – compact class hatchback with 4 cylinders 2.0 8 valves 193 h/p HF-type supercharged engines possessing 100 km/h acceleration at 7.5 sec.
Lancia Dedra model was manufactured on the basis of Delta model and the same engine line-up excluding turbo diesel type. Overall range of Dedra modifications included 15 4-doors sedans and Station Wagon estates.

Kappa – Lancia de luxe model manufactured in sedan and coupe versions designed in 1960s style as well as in estate version. Lancia Kappa gained 2.0 and 3.0 5- and 6-cylinder engines with 4 valves per cylinder each type. Lancia Kappa Station Wagon – spacious estate with big trunk and powerful 4-cylinder 205 h/p turbo engine. Remarkable feature of Kappa estate version came its manageable clearance.

Zeta model – the result of joint Lancia, Peugeot-Citroen efforts – estate model standing out for its untypical for this car class luxury package features, stylish design and big roominess of 5-8 occupants. Lancia Zeta was set up with 2.0 4-cylinder gas turbo engines added by economic 2.1 110 h/p 12 valves power unit version.
Official website is www.lancia.com