Lancia Delta Integrale HF Evolution: the story of a myth – Sports cars

Lancia Delta Integrale HF Evolution: the story of a myth – Sports cars

Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione is a legend, a rally legend and the mother of today's hot hatches.

It is impossible not to get excited in front of one Lancia Delta HF Integral. Almost a tear falls when you think about what kind of car (or rather what) Lancia is making today: the Ypsilon. The brand that has won so many World Rally Championship titles (five consecutive titles) and has spawned great sports cars. And it is Delta HF in its final stage, the final "Evolution", the swan song of the Italian producer.

Retrieved from Delta HF 8V, Delta Evolution he is rounder, more located, more evil. The nearly vertical fender and large wheel arches make it ready for special challenges, but it's not just an aesthetic exercise: the Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione has more direct steering, better braking system, updated suspension with stiffer springs and more. sophisticated electronics and freer exhaust than the version it replaces.

Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione: power and control

Launched in 1991, It soon became the favorite car of rally enthusiasts. 2.0-liter 1995-valve four-cylinder 16cc engine 210 h.p. (215 hp in the Evo2 version)... On the other hand, the maximum torque was 300 Nm on 3.500 dumbbells.

Il turbo Garret it took a while to fill with air, so the delivery was "old school", with a pleasant stab in the back that didn't come until 3.000 rpm.

Today's power makes you smile, but the harsh delivery made the engine rage in its own way. There thrust it was crazy.

La Lancia Delta HF Integral It was one of the first compact sports cars with four-wheel drive and also one of the first sports cars to be fitted with ABS as standard. Compared to today's compact sports cars, it is slow and rather weak, but at the time it was a real shard, unmatched in rough terrain.

The weight was not quite a record, despite the spartan interior: 1200 kg There are a lot of them by the standards of that time, but the all-wheel drive system added a few kilograms to the scale.

Credits: 1993 Lancia Delta Integrale. Artist: Unknown. (Photo by the National Automobile Museum / Heritage Images / Getty Images)

The performance "deltona"

Despite its modest power, Delta HF Integral removed from 0-100 km / h in 5,7 seconds, reached maximum speed 221 km / h and in turns he reached lateral force 1,55G, a truly impressive figure.

Special versions of Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione

of the Lancia Delta HF Integral Several limited editions were released, which are now in great demand among collectors. The most famous of these is Delta Martini 5, built in honor of the fifth world title in 400 copies; another one was built for the sixth title Delta Martini 6, produced in just 310 copies. Both had, in addition to Martini livery, Recaro racing seats in Alcantara with red straps, special 15-inch white wheels, ABS, power windows and locks, and special Michelin tires.

Other special versions include the dealer's collection (173 pieces) with special burgundy color and seats. Recaro in beige leather.

Credits: 1993 Lancia Delta Integrale. Artist: Unknown. (Photo by the National Automobile Museum / Heritage Images / Getty Images)

Credits: 1993 Lancia Delta Integrale. Artist: Unknown. (Photo by the National Automobile Museum / Heritage Images / Getty Images)

Credits: 1993 Lancia Delta Integrale. Artist: Unknown. (Photo by the National Automobile Museum / Heritage Images / Getty Images)

Credits: 1993 Lancia Delta Integrale. Artist: Unknown. (Photo by the National Automobile Museum / Heritage Images / Getty Images)

Credits: CHHICHESTER, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: Former Alex Fiorio Lancia Delta Integrale at the Goodwood Rally on June 26, 2015 in Chichester, England. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)

Credits: France - May 18: Lancia Delta Integrale drives through the classic stages of the Monte Carlo Rally in the French Alps on May 18, 2016 (Photo by Martin Goddard/Corbis via Getty Images)