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New Delta Horsham,
New Delta
After its much anticipated 2009 touch down on these shores was postponed, the Lancia Delta (now in third generation form) looked destined to prolong its 14-year exile from the UK indefinitely. One facelift, Fiat's buyout of Chrysler and a realistic marketing budget later, it's finally back as a lavishly appointed 'premium' Chrysler hatchback with the Ford Focus firmly in its sights and, as the 1.4T Jet S, a tempting price tag.
Naturally, the Delta pulls together a powertrain and technology package cherry picked from the Fiat Group's most modern offerings. The four-strong UK engine line up comprises two 1.4-litre petrol units and 1.6- and 1.9-litre diesels. All are recent designs and commendably efficient, and the standout units are the 140bhp 1.4-litre MultiAir petrol and the 165bhp second generation 2.0-litre MultiJet diesel. The way into the range, however, comes courtesy of the 120bhp 1.4-litre T-Jet petrol unit under the bonnet of the model tested here which is by no means the poor relation and is good for a top speed of 121mph with 0-62mph dispatched in a respectable enough 9.8s.
Forget the Deltas of bygone days, especially the Integrale: this Delta focuses of luxury and space, rather in the same way that the Ford Focus has become a bit more 'executive' and a little less exciting for the driver. Ride comfort is helped by dual-mode electronic dampers with a 'Sport' setting, but don't ask too much from the handling which will be safe and user-friendly but unlikely to be challenging for class honours. There's no shortage of electronic driver aids, though. In addition to Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and the Anti-Slip Regulation traction control, the Delta gets Linearisation Torque Feedback (LTF), Torque Transfer Control (TTC) and Drive Steering Torque (DST) - all designed to keep the Delta on the road when pressing on. Automatic parking - you find a gap, the car tells you if it's suitable then takes care of the steering as you reverse into it - is an optional extra, as are Lane Departure Control and the Blue&Me navigation system (standard on the range-topping Limited model).
If you want to stand out from the C-segment hatchback crowd, the Delta's distinctive design will certainly provide the means. Although it's been around since 2008, it looks so different to everything else in its class it might as well have been minted yesterday. The elements of retro Lancia (despite the Chrysler branding) could look awkward and gimmicky but add a quirky Italianate flavour to the quasi-MPV shape with its kicked-up waist line and acutely rounded rump.