Lancia Motor Club

I will be at Geneva Show over the weekend, is anyone else going?   

I wish...  Take some photos for us!

Will try, if I can see through the tears! An image from 2009 to cheer us up.

Pictures of the new Flavia.

http://www.autoevolution.com/news-g-image/geneva-2011-lancia-flavia-concept-live-photos/46941.html#image

I'll admit to actually quite liking it...

It actually looks better than the rather odd bicolore Ypsilon that is on the stand, see...

http://www.autoevolution.com/news-g-image/geneva-2011-lancia-ypsilon-live-photos/47227.html#image

And here is the Thema...

http://www.autoevolution.com/news-g-image/geneva-2011-lancia-thema-live-photos/46807.html#image

Interior looks better quality than the Flavia, but styling a bit on the heavy side.  Still warming to it more than I thought though... :-\

I like the new Ypsilon, especially the bonnet shut line and rear lights. I'm not afraid to admit a liking for the Thema/300, size wise it's still too big but I think Centro Stile (?) have done a fair job with what's a clunky three box saloon. But, sorry, the 200 (it can never be a Flavia), is still wrong, the odd imbalanced proportions of the original Sebring are still far too evident. Let's hope that feedback at Geneva and elsewhere is less than positive on this car and it stays a concept and doesn't enter production. As a Chrysler 200 it was pretty unsuccessful in the UK. Let it stay in the US. With Ypsilon, Delta, Thema and Voyager, Lancia have a reasonable model line-up that'll see them through the next couple of years before a fully Italian designed, non-rebadged range is available. I wonder if there's anywhere to leave feedback on the 200?

Can't make my mind up whether to laugh or cry, the Flavia is just another modern lump devoid of Lancia Character or styling.
The Ypsilon design team must have worked with the lot at Renault who designed the Avantime, looks like two different design teams worked on either end without either telling the other what they had in mind, but on balance the back end team win, ghastly front grille, and I quite agree with Chris about the bizarre two tone, the bonnet looks like something just plonked on the top instead of blending in, mainly due to the paint job.
If the Ypsilon had the same style grille as the Thema, I would have assumed they were trying to save money by using the same grille, it's far too big.
Funny enough the one that works for me, although a bit more flair on the interior would help, is the Thema, especially the rear end treatment with overtones of Flaminia Berlina.
I shall reserve final judgement until I've seen them in the metal.

Brian
8227 8)

Flavia- No! No! No! It's oddly proportioned (obvious evolvement of the previous unloved & much criticised Sebring) and from the photo's the interior looks cheap and nasty compared to the Delta. As Lee says leave as a Chrysler, it is not necessary in the current range, who would buy it, its hardly a A4/159/IS/3-Series/C-Class/S60 rival and nobody buys 3-box saloons at a smaller level (think Jetta/Focus & Astra saloons etc). It will flop.

Similarly the 300 sorry Thema, its obviously American, the exterior does not move the game on from the current 300C and is not a patch on the quirky Thesis, although the interior looks good with the hand stitched leather dash etc.

Ypsilon for me sits too high, is awkward and visibility for rear seat passengers particularly children will be seriously impaired. Not chic enough compared to current/last Ypsilon. Can't see many buyers diverting from the Audi showrooms.

Having said all these things, we really need to see them in the flesh particularly the Ypsilon whose first launch photos seemed much much better, these photos are not the best however first impressions usually count and in my opinion they are not good enough. Hopefully comments from the motoring press/media will be favourable and the cars drive/ride/handle well and are super efficient.

I want to be proved wrong on this.

Will we start thinking of the Ypsilon as the last 'real' Lancia? Now theres a thought.

We'll definately need a new 'Era' on the website and in the database ... suggestions for names anyone ?

'The Lost Years'.

Lancia inc.

'The Frankenstein Experiment'
New life created from the offcasts of the dead. :)

I used to FANCIA A LANCIA :'(

Hm. Having now seen the cars Im convinced this is actually a good move. The company are very upbeat while new Ypsilon has turned into a more grown up car and I like it, as I do the Flavia convertible. Suggest we accept that this is 2011, things have changed for everybody and we start showing more support for Fiat. Sorry cant post pictures at the moment.

Hi Peter, I don't think I would continue to support products from a maker unless I genuinely thought they were good. Chrysler, in my opinion, have made some of the most poorly designed (aesthetically) and equally dreadful to drive motor cars seen on our roads for a number of years. We had both voyagers and Grand Cherokees in the pool at work and you only drove them once unless you absolutely had to.

The jury is out on this one for me but I am afraid they all shout Chrysler to me, there appears to be no Lancia influence whatsoever. Now I am no Lancia expert and came to the marque purely because of the integrale (although I do remember a friends dad having a Monte Carlo back in the early eighties which I thought was cool and have always loved the fulvia) but these "new" cars don't seem to uphold any of what I am learning to be Lancia Brand values.

I liked Radiohead's first two albums but nothing since as they went a bit "Chrysler"

Pleased to hear it Peter.  Its a view I had come to in theory, but its good to hear that having seen the cars in the metal, you are positive too.  The Ypsi ought to be a good car given its platform and its antecedents, but I'm particularly pleased that the Flavia, one of the Chrysler derived cars, is looking good too.  Given that the Flavia is the car we'd all be inclined to have the biggest doubts about, because its related to the mediocre Sebring, I'm encouraged to know that Lancia have started to work their magic on it.  I've stuck my neck out (and suffered the personal abuse for it) in support of the Fiat strategy, but its important for Lancia that this works.  Because if it does, the chances that the company will take a chance on something iconic, like a modern day Fulvietta for example, are much greater.  Lancia's roots are in grand tourers and highly engineered small cars, and there is some prospect that this is what Marchionne is intending once again for the marque.  Viva Lancia...

. . . . but RHD will all be badged Chrysler over here but I can't see why if you are ordering a new car that it can't be ordered with Lancia branding, although I doubt this will be an option through a UK Chrysler dealer and the reg doc will also say Chrysler.

Chris, I know it's being a bit pedantic but can you please call the Ypsilon an Ypsilon not a Ypsi.
Thanks.
Brian
8227 8)

Some more news, good and bad. The new Ypsilon is rumoured due in UK around October 2011, which is good, if it happens. Not so good, European dealers refuse to accept the Flavia unless it comes with diesel, not the ancient cast iron six pot. And before you say it, apparently the existing Fiat engines wont fit. We can but wait. The Thema is due for Europe at some point but the Flavia Coupe looks doomed with only the drop top standing any chance of survival. Typical Lancia. I have included a couple of shots from last night.

Tut.  I wear my basball cap backwards, lurk in dark corners wearing a hoodie, and drink cheap cider too.

YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI YPSI


 :-*

As has been said, that is a weird colour scheme on the ypsilon - it looks like a pickup truck ! But overall I like the car , just not that view :) But overall I think it's positive and all makes sense.

*luckily I typed it in full and managed to correct the typo saying ypsiloin ....







DUUUUUUUHHHH

Sounds like the Flavia will need another round of re-engineering...

In the wrong colour scheme, an Ypsi could look just like a budgie...

Ah, now I understand it's obviously a generation thing ::)

I was expecting something like this so I took some more pic with the help of the 'Lancia' girls.  Well, is that better?

Is that first picture a facelifted delta or another ypsi/lon ?

Are they an option?

I didn't spot any cars in Peter's photos. HMm. I must try harder...

Ah well there you go, see.  I think Radiohead are still a fine band.

Definitely an Ypsi.  Looks like an angry parrot...