Lancia at the 2008 International Paris Motor Show

The Lancia stand at this year's Paris Motor Show represents a departure from previous motor shows as it is decorated in the style of a haut couture shop, though it still retains the main distinctive traits of the Lancia brand experience.

The colour black dominates, juxtaposed with pure white and stylish silver to match the body shades of the cars on display. In the same way, the furnishings and materials used on the stand reflect the craftsmanship and quality of Lancia model interiors.

The entire stand has been conceived as a backdrop for the star of the show, the Delta. Visitors to the Paris Motor Show two years ago could have admired a concept car version of the same model. In particular, a daring structure has been created to allow visitors to admire four of the cars in every detail and to appreciate the range of colours and different versions by standing them on their ends and turning them about their vertical axes. All this is accompanied by a view of the new 190 bhp 1.9 Twinturbo, displayed in a glass case as an example of the brand's technological innovation.

Visitors will also be able to discover the new Lancia merchandising range at the Lancia Boutique, a linear structure that is all black lacquered panels divided by steel panels, damask designs and perforated polished steel.

The visitors area also sees the return of the Lancia Café, a traditional meeting point for a rendezvous or quick aperitif. The café has also become an institution outside the motor shows, with a temporary version at the last two editions of the Venice Film Festival that was routinely frequented by actors and show business personalities - and the opening of the first Lancia Lifestyle Lounge in Berlin this February (an innovative concept that combines the qualities of a lounge bar with those of a car exhibition space).

Going back to the true stars of the stand, the centre of the exhibition area is occupied by a two-tone Lancia Delta (Full Moon Ivory and Lava Black) – the model that was recently awarded a coveted 5 star Euro NCAP rating – equipped with a 120 bhp 1.6 Multijet engine that is offered for the first time together with the Selectronic. This 6-speed robotised gearbox meets a growing demand for automatically-controlled gearboxes for great driving comfort, particularly over an urban cycle, while offering a further improvement over manual gearboxes in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The car also offers burnished 17" alloy wheels, black interior trim, dual zone climate control system, sun-roof, Blue&Me NavTM, knee bags, rear parking sensor and a Techno Pack (rain and dusk sensors, electrochrome mirror and cruise control). The second Lancia Delta on show in Paris is a 165 bhp 2.0 Multijet in a Platino version with two-tone bodywork (Eclipse Black and Lava Black)equipped with a Techno Pack, 18" alloy rims, Instant Nav, Blue&MeTM, dual zone climate control system, knee bags, twin chrome exhaust tail-pipe and rear parking sensor.

The other four Deltas are also attached vertically to two original revolving structures: the first bears a two-tone (Nadir Pearl and Lava Black) Platino version of the 165 bhp 2.0 Multijet and a two-tone (Sunset Bordeaux and Lava Black) 150 bhp 1.4 Platino equipped with a Techno Pack, 18" alloy rims, Instant Nav, Blue&MeTM, dual zone climate control system, knee bags, twin chrome exhaust tail-pipe and rear parking sensor. The same wealth of equipment can be seen on the two-tone (Wind Grey – Lava Black) 165 bhp Delta Platino 2.0 Multijet housed on the second structure. The last Delta exhibited at the Paris show revolves together with this car: a two-tone (Aqua Blue – Lava Black) 120 bhp 1.6 Multijet Oro version equipped with Blue&Me NavTM, Techno Pack, dual zone climate control system, knee bag, Granluce sun-roof and rear parking sensor.

The second focus of the stand is a Lancia Ypsilon VERSUS show car produced with the Versace Group brand that will also dress the models on the stand with garments chosen to suit the expressive motifs of the exhibition space. All this confirms the strong bond between Lancia and the world of Fashion. Together with Design and Cinema, Fashion is one of the brand's languages of reference, as is borne out by the choice of Lancia cars as official vehicles for the Milan fashion week.

The car on show is fitted with the sparkling 75 bhp 1.3 Multijet (with particulate filter) and is distinguished by a Bronzino Bronze body and interior upholstery in brown leather, plus certain important features: including Blue&MeTM, a dual zone automatic climate control system, fog light, 16" alloy rims with an original bronze chrome finish.

The Ypsilon Moda Milano also treads the catwalk at the Paris show as yet another exponent of Italian elegance and glamour. Italian fashion is world-renowned for its high quality products characterised by great style and elegance – and it comes as no surprise to learn from market statistics that style and elegance are among the most common reasons customers choose to buy the Lancia Ypsilon. The Ypsilon Moda Milano on show is equipped with a 75 bhp 1.3 Multijet engine and features a two-tone body (Raffaello white and opaque Borromini grey) with interior trim in black Starlite leather and Alcantara®. The equipment includes: fog light, automatic climate control system, particulate filter (DPF), two-tone 16'' alloy rims, Blue&MeTM and parking sensor.

The world of design is represented by a fashionable yet also clearly muscular version that is the result of a joint venture between Lancia and MomoDesign, two world-famous Italian industries that share a flair for innovative design, state-of-the-art materials and attention to detail. The Ypsilon Sport MomoDesign displayed at the show is equipped with a vivacious 105 bhp 1.3 Multijet engine, the most powerful diesel engine in its category, and features a two-tone body: the opaque Titanium grey of the roof is combined with Masaccio black at the bottom. The same elegant and sporty look can be found inside the car, with a winning combination of black Starlite leather and Alcantara. The equipment list is long: automatic climate control system, VDC, front sidebags, cruise control, Navigation Pack (including Connect nav, steering wheel controls and CD changer in the boot), electric sunroof, fog light plus rain and parking sensors.

After the Delta and the Ypsilon Versus, the third and final focus of the Lancia stand is the Musa ‘Poltrona Frau', the new top-of-the-range version of the City Limousine – the biggest selling MPV in Italy for nearly two years. This version combines two quintessential Italian designer names, i.e. the design styling, attention to detail and crafted two-tone paint finish typical of Lancia cars coupled with the exclusivity and sophistication of leather and the craftsmanship of Poltrona Frau. Visitors to the Paris show can admire two examples of this exclusive version alongside three prestigious red Poltrona Frau cars (Vanity model): a two-tone (Alabaster White and black) 90 bhp Platino 1.3 Multijet with red interior trim and a black 120 bhp Platino 1.6 Multijet with natural leather interiors. It should be remembered that the Lancia Delta, Ypsilon and Musa are all produced by FPT – Fiat Powertrain Technologies, a Fiat Group company that specialises in the development and production of power units and gearboxes.

Visitors to the show can also pick up information material and consult totems on the stand to find out about products on offer from Fiat Group Automobiles Financial Services, a captive finance company created as a joint venture partnership between Fiat Group Automobiles and Crédit Agricole. The company backs Fiat Group Automobiles, in Italy and Europe, with a single mission: to support the sales of Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Fiat Professional and Abarth branded cars by offering innovative financial products incorporating high added value services that are aimed at the dealer network and also private and fleet customers.