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Chrysler Delta

Rebadged Lancia arrives in UK promising ‘style and luxury’

Chrysler Delta front tracking

By Shane O’Donoghue

September 2011

Visit most European cities and you can’t fail to spot a Lancia Delta, but the latest generation has never been sold in the UK.

Now that’s about to change as the Delta is coming here in right-hand drive, badged as a Chrysler. It’s priced to compete with the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf, but can the newcomer take on the established players?

Chrysler is targeting drivers looking for a stylish, fashionable alternative, and the Delta is sure to grab attention with its distinctive grille, narrow tail-lights and flowing lines.

It’s marketed as a ‘luxury’ model and the cabin goes some way to backing up this claim. Higher-spec cars have sumptuous leather seats, while the soft-touch dash is offset by shiny metal trim and a stylish design.

There’s plenty of space, too, with a larger than average boot and useful rear seats which can slide back and forth. It’s not all good news, though, with plenty of shiny, scratchy plastics ahead of the driver and questionable fit and finish.

You’d generally expect a luxury car to be refined, too, but a turn of the key reveals that the 1.6-litre diesel model is shockingly loud when cold and doesn’t improve much on the move.

On the plus side, 300Nm of torque ensures it feels much faster than its 0-62mph time of 10.7 seconds suggests. And, as an added bonus, it returns more than 60mpg with the standard six-speed manual gearbox.

On rutted roads, the Delta struggles to deliver a comfortable ride. Potholes and rough tarmac send vibrations into the cabin in a way that they wouldn’t in a VW Golf. Adaptive dampers help cure the problem, but they’re a costly option at £800.

So does the Delta deliver as a stylish and luxurious alternative family hatch? Well, it certainly has style, but it’s built to a budget – and feels it. You need to spend more than £21,000 with this engine to get leather seats, and they’re badly needed to give the interior a touch of class.

At that price, you’re into high-end Focus and Golf territory, plus more powerful versions of the diesel Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

And with that model already one of the best looking cars on the road, will style-seekers really be convinced by the Delta?

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8 Comments

Strange review?

Seems like an overly negative review by AE, the same car gets a very positive review by Autocar. This car easily has a better interior than any dreary Focus or Golf, has more class, elegance and a better badge too. Dynamics? well, for most peoples needs like city driving it's more than good enough. At least when you drive this, you will get noticed and be exclusive unlike the common Golf's and Focus's. In France, the Lancia Delta is a strong seller, says something doesn't it?

By JTravolta77 on 29 September, 2011, 8:09pm

Different

I applaud Lanica (and Chrysler, if accurate to do so) for their bold design direction. Whilst other European rivals are heading towards bland, predictable and uninspiring - Lancia at least create cars that provoke response. It might not be deemed 'pretty', but it's guaranteed to turn heads. For this reason alone, I'd be tempted to choose this over the best sellers. I do agree that this is a one sided review - it's almost as though you barely gave it a chance. News about a leaked CRV is longer and more detailed than this. This is why I switched to an Autocar magazine subscription!

By chaardy on 30 September, 2011, 9:25am

Huge rear legroom!

Btw AE, you never mentioned the acres of rear legroom this car appears to have! Way better than any shitty Focus or Golf. This car is LUXURY for the price!

By JTravolta77 on 1 October, 2011, 10:10am

Its a Chrysler

...forget it.
Get a Korean car that is better equipped and is better built and costs about the same.

By lucasworld on 4 October, 2011, 10:55pm

Wrong badge - better as a Lancia

The Lancia badge would have been better - it would have a more fashionable image than Chrysler - which is a badge you associate with oversized American gas guzzlers.

By cousins11 on 5 October, 2011, 11:08am

WHAT A DOG !

UNDERNEATH THIS CAR IS JUST A LATEST FIAT BRAVO BECAUSE FIAT OWN LANCIA & WE ALL KNOW HOW CAR MAKERS MAKE CUTBACKS THESE DAYS, FIAT RELIABILITY & BUILD QUALITY TOGETHER WITH CHRYSLER RELIABILITY & BUILD QUALITY SHOULD BE A GOOD CAR THEN NOT !

By BEREAL on 10 October, 2011, 2:36am

Hmm, distinctive. Yes, buying a car is all about distictive style and turning heads - if you're a vain idiot who really cares about 'standing out from the crowd'.
The Delta isn't a bad car to drive by all accounts, but neither is it anything outstanding. The latest Astra is better on most counts.
Sorry, I'll take a Golf and have a decent all rounder with 'resale value'. Chrysler/Lancia owners won't recognise this concept however!

By Handbag on 10 October, 2011, 11:05pm

Golf?? Astra?? BORING!!

Sorry Handbag, but let's be honest here, If you buy Vauxhall or Volkswagen where's the 'want one factor'?? They might as well be a lamp post or a wheelie Bin! knowone gonna look twice! This Chrysler say what you like but it's exclusive and interesting.

By Kevin1982 on 11 October, 2011, 10:49pm

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Pictures

Chrysler Delta front tracking
Chrysler Delta profile
Chrysler Delta dash
Chrysler Delta front three-quarters
Chrysler Delta front three-quarters
Chrysler Delta rear seats

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FIRST OPINION

    While boasting unique looks, the Delta is stuck in no man’s land. It’s not luxurious enough to distance itself from the better-looking Alfa Romeo Giulietta, and the Chrysler badge is unlikely to tempt buyers from more mainstream choices. Yes, it comes with an impressive range of engines, offers good economy and has excellent safety credentials, but it’s a pretty average all-rounder – and expensive, too. 

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £19,195-£21,195
    Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl turbodiesel
    Power/torque: 120bhp/300Nm 
    Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
    0-62mph: 10.7 seconds
    Top speed: 120mph
    Economy: 60.1mpg
    CO2: 122g/km
    Equipment: Dynamic stability control (DSC), alloy wheels, air-conditioning, electric windows
    On sale: Now
     
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