Lancia Musa
After its world preview at the recent Venice Film Festival, the Musa now makes its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the heir to a winning model which in three years on the market has not only achieved the ambitious goals it set itself, but has done so very convincingly (in 2006 and 2007 it was the best-selling compact people-mover in Italy).
Today it is up to the Musa to continue the job, playing the same trump card as the previous model, and bringing the values of Italian hospitality to motor cars. Its line and contents recreate an atmosphere that is typically Italian, a mixture of elegance and informality, attention and relaxation, luxury and naturalness that puts people at their ease. In the European modern compact market, the Musa is the Italian alternative, inspired by concepts of good taste, warmth and generosity.
Revamped styling that embodies elegance and practicality
The Musa has even more attractive, modern styling, thanks to a number of elements that reflect new market trends. What is more, this aesthetic refinement has created a greater ‘size impression' of the car, which will certainly be appreciated by the target clientele that demands not only elegant, refined lines, but practicality and space too. Designed by the Lancia Style Centre, the model incorporates strong, substantial references to classic Lancia stylistic elements, re-read in a modern key, in harmony with the stylistic evolution of the car in premium segments.
A number of chrome elements have been added to the front, to underline a new stylistic imprint which accentuates the model's dynamic look while it hints at the design of future Lancias. The Lancia logo stands out at the centre of the elegant grille, a sign of the past reinterpreted in a modern key to represent a brand that is projected towards the challenges of the future but also proud of its own historical identity.
The same harmony and stylistic consistency are found in the entirely remodelled rear end.
The generous tailgate is in perfect harmony with the stylistic imprint of the front, and contains two significant novelties compared to the previous model. To start with, luggage compartment capacity has been increased by 70 litres to 390 litres, becoming 460 litres when the sliding seats are fully forward, a loading capacity that puts the Musa at the top of its class. And the loading floor has been lowered by 4 cm to make it easier to position bags and cases; in other words, more space and better access so that it can be exploited better.
Another feature of the rear end of the Musa is the lovely, technological rear lighting; long, thin vertical elements, fitted with LEDs, which provide greater luminous intensity and enhanced safety compared to conventional lights, as well as unique styling. The Musa is the first people-mover in its category to use this technology, which is usually only found on up-market cars.
The surface of the sides is extremely elegant and sleek. Two profiles run parallel to the waistline, creating a faceted effect that accentuates the car's dynamic look. The higher of the two is underlined and highlighted by the chrome moulding that matches the new alloy wheels. The rounded lines and lack of sharp edges emphasise the friendly, protective character of the passenger compartment, a ‘treasure-chest' that promises great safety and the utmost comfort in small dimensions: it is little more than four metres long, 1.70 metres wide, 1.66 metres tall and has a wheelbase of 2.51 metres. Although the Musa has grown in length, it is still a compact model on the outside that offers all the roominess of a flagship on the inside.
The balance between the bodywork, the large side measurements and the GranLuce roof is the key to the luminous, relaxing interior.
In line with the unmistakable Lancia style of recent years, the Musa welcomes passengers and driver in an environment that combines emotion with practicality, thanks to the modular seats which can be placed in different positions. The rear seat is fitted with a raised armrest, and slides to expand the luggage compartment and to give rear passengers more legroom. It also splits 60/40 and reclines; the squab of the front passenger seat, on the other hand, folds down into a practical table. Traditional Lancia elegance and refinement is reflected in the great care that went into every detail and the refined combinations of the colours of the bodywork and those of the interior upholstery, which is available in two tones; we should also underline that there is now a choice between a dark blue and a brown facia.
The customer can have his Musa ‘made to measure', like a tailored suit. There are over 80 possible alternatives that come from combining 5 different interior outfits (Argento, Oro and Platino both available in two hot and cold colour shades), 14 bodywork shades (10 of which are new) and 4 new ‘b-colore' liveries: the broadest range of alternatives in this segment. Colour has always been much more than a question of aesthetics for Lancia, an integral part of a product philosophy whose main elements include elegance, glamour, personality, verve, styling and an almost endless choice of ways to customise the car.
In the interior, analysis of the colours is associated with that of the materials, with a choice of technical fabrics, luxury leather and refined Alcantara®. Chrome and satin-effect elements set off the lines and forms of the interior. Lancia maintains its traditional beautifully crafted interiors, but it combines original new materials and colour to reveal a modern reinterpretation of one of its traditional values.
Cutting-edge technology for maximum comfort and enjoyable driving
Travelling in the Musa is always an enjoyable, exciting experience, thanks in part to the luminosity of the ‘GranLuce' transparent sunroof, the airy interior, the surfaces that are pleasant to touch and the wraparound comfort of the ergonomic seats. In addition to which, the dual-zone climate control and Bose® Sound System (typical features on Lancia cars) make all the more enjoyable a living space that is easy to dominate because of the raised driving seat and the ergonomically arranged controls. The whole effect is completed by the DFN gearbox which optimises comfort and driving enjoyment and is available with the 1.4 16v and 1.3 Multijet 16v engines.
The Musa can also be equipped with the ‘Blue&Me'® system which allows you to telephone and to listen to music as you drive, easily and simply, thanks to the hands-free system with voice recognition, and to Bluetooth® technology (the device also incorporates a USB port positioned on the tunnel, to which all types of digital devices can be connected). And finally, to maximise well-being on board, the Musa adopts the best equipment available today in terms of soundproofing; the sound-absorbent ceiling, which is made of an innovative polyester-based material, attenuates the sound inside the passenger compartment by approximately 2 dB, an improvement that is perceptible to occupants.
The engines in the range guarantee a perfect balance between performance, consumption and respect for the environment. The range comprises three Multijet turbodiesels: the round, elastic 1.9 delivering 100 bhp, and two 1.3 units delivering 70 or 90 bhp, which are perfect in town when combined with the sequential robotised DFN gearbox (the 90 bhp version is available with a particulate trap). There are also two petrol engines: a 1.4 delivering 77 bhp, and a 95 bhp 1.4 Fire (also available with the DFN gearbox).
The range
The Musa comes in a broad, comprehensive range that caters for customers with very different tastes and requirements, and offers five different outfits: Argento, Oro and Platino both available in two hot and cold colour shades. Whatever the level of customisation, the Musa is always fascinating and original, never losing sight of world famous Italian taste.
The standard and optional equipment varies to some extent on the different markets. In general the Argento version offers airbags for the driver and passenger as standard equipment, with a manual climate system and wiring for a radio. Technical fabrics transform the passenger compartment into a pleasant living environment.
The second specification level, known as Oro, adds 15" alloys (depending on the market) with a design, and exterior chromed trims on the side windows. Other features include curtain-bags, three rear head-restraints, sliding, folding split rear seats and electric wing mirrors. The customer can also choose between two versions of the Oro specification (Bianco and Giallo) which differ for the fabric and shade of the interior upholstery: the former offers technological ‘Airtex' fabric with cold tones, while fashionable pinstriped fabric and warmer tones characterise the latter.
The Giallo and Bianco versions of the Musa Platino offer a lavish array of equipment ranging from the GranLuce sunroof to the Blue&Me® system, and a radio-CD player with steering wheel controls. New 15" alloys, privacy tinted windows and a leather-covered steering wheel and gear lever gaiter with contrasting stitching complete the generous array of equipment available.
This specification also offers two interior environments that differ for the colour of the upholstery: warm tones for the Giallo alternative (leather/Alcantara® Starlite in two different shades, Chocolate and Turtledove), and colder tones for the Bianco version (blue and grey leather/Alcantara® Starlite).
