[Aika Car Car Fun Talk Original]
If behind Porsche's brilliant achievements in the rally field is the almost paranoid pursuit of technology by Stuttgartians, then for the Italian brand Lancia, the rally field is more like a paradise for engineers to show their brains and exert their passion. Lancia's rally saga began at the Geneva Motor Show in 1963, and as a blockbuster model for the brand, the mid-size Fulvia received widespread attention as soon as it was launched.
In addition to the elegant four-door sedan and the artistically shaped Zagato fastback Coupe. Its coupe version is seen as a strong contender for the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Fiat 1300. But underneath its elegant exterior, whether it was the longitudinal front-drive layout, the small angled V-4 engine with dual overhead camshafts, or the four-wheel independent suspension structure, it was a forward-looking and radical design at the time.
↑ Launched in 1963, Lancia Fulvia offers three body forms: a four-door sedan (top), a two-door Coupe (center), and a Zagato fastback Coupe (bottom) designed by Zagato.
Perfect body weight and abundant power performance soon made Fulvia stand out in the rally, since 1965, Fulvia won the Italian rally championship for 8 consecutive years, including 1972 was Fulvia's highlight moment, with a record of 5 podiums in 9 races throughout the year, Lancia finally won the International Championship for Manufacturers, WRC predecessor) of the manufacturer of the year champion.
↑ 1972 was the highlight of Fulvia's time on the field, with a record of five podium finishes in 9 races throughout the year, and the Team finally won the Manufacturers of the Year Championship at the International Championship for Manufacturers (the predecessor of the WRC).
Since then, Lancia, which we tasted on the rally, has a bolder idea - to build a car specifically for the rally. Thus, the famous Stratos was born, and this car not only has the Botong design master Marcelo. Gandini himself wedged the wedge-shaped body. Meanwhile, the 2.4-liter V6 engine derived from the Ferrari Dino provides it with 206 kW (280 hp) more power. Interestingly, the Stratos modeled prototype, originally built by Broadcom, featured a large number of Fulvia parts, including a 1.6-liter V4 engine and an iconic double-wishpiver transverse leaf spring from the front axle. According to Nuccio Bertone, the founder of Broadcom, in order to win the favor of Lancia's senior management, he personally drove a sample car through under the closed gate of Lancia's headquarters...
↑ by Marcelo. Gandini's prototype of the Lancia Stratos is low and flat like a spaceship
The stratos, which were first competed, had a smooth, flat body, but the lack of downforce at the rear made it difficult to maneuver. With the classic Alitalia livery for the WRC in 1975, the Stratos ushered in a major upgrade, with a range of aerodynamic kits including a rear spoiler that greatly increased the downforce of the car at high speeds. Until retirement, factory-level private drivers drove Lancia Stratos to win 18 WRC races and 3 annual championships. And this car has deservedly become an idol in the history of rally racing.
↑ With the classic Alitalia livery for the WRC in 1975, the Stratos ushered in a major upgrade, with the addition of a rear spoiler that greatly increased the downforce at high speeds
In the 1980s, like Porsche, Lancia was determined to compete in Group B, and coincidentally, Fiat, who was in the limelight at the time, decided to restore the glory of the 131 Abbas racing car in the WRC. So, Lancia, Abbas, and Binfa, who was responsible for the design, jointly developed the Lancia 037, which made the opponents of Group B feel frightened.
↑ The design team based on the Lancia Mid-Mount Sports Car Beta MonteCarlo, retaining the layout of the mid-mounted rear-drive, completely enhanced the bodywork, and equipped it with an in-line 4-cylinder engine tuned by Abbas.
Not only did the engine have a lightweight all-aluminum cylinder head and a 16-valve design that seemed extremely black at the time, but it was also equipped with a Luxe supercharger, which was extremely useful for rallying at very low engine speeds compared to the much-criticized turbo delays of the early turbocharging. The 037 is available in numerous versions, with some extremely tuned versions even having a maximum power of 224Kw (305 hp).
↑ Although the Blue Flag 037 was plagued by mechanical failures in its first year of participation in 1982, in 1983, the Blue Flag Asia factory team composed of German rally player Walter Rohrl and Finnish driver Markku Alen (Markku Allen) showed an overwhelming advantage, not only did they win the first and second place in the Monte Carlo Rally, but also won the Audi Quattro in the case of no. 1 driver Rolle who only participated in part of the race.
Fast forward to 1984, and despite Alan's massive upgrades to the 037, the 037 did not continue Stratos' feat of winning consecutive titles with the strong return of Audi racing. Even so, in regional events such as the Tour de Laura and the European Rally Championship, the beautiful white martini car still kills everyone. However, the vicious accident at the 1985 Corsica Rally not only took the young life of Italian driver Attilio Bettega, but also indirectly became an important trigger for the FIA to cancel Group B.
↑ The ancient Greek tragic writer Euphides said, "God wants to destroy man, but he must first make him mad". This may be the most appropriate way to describe the Group B events of Lancia and WRC. In 1986, Lancia created the Delta S4, the "ultimate race car" allowed by The Group B rules.
Although it has the same harmless appearance as the hatchback Delta, the car's 1.8-liter mechanical turbo twin supercharged engine can burst out a maximum power of 441Kw (600 horsepower), which is a racing car with less than 1 ton of equipment. In addition, the layout of the mid-mounted four-wheel drive has an innate advantage over the heavy front four-wheel drive of the rival Audi Qattro, especially on the winding mountain road, the rear-drive four-wheel drive tuning makes the Delta S4 show obvious oversteering orientation, and the skilled driver can even perfectly cross the corner just by controlling the throttle.
↑ Although the Lancia factory team has Markku.Alen (Marcu Allen) + Henri Toivonen (Henry. Tevernin) is a super-strong driver lineup, but because this "horsepower monster" is really difficult to control, tragedy is inevitable.
It was also at that year's Corsica Rally that year that the leading Tevernin car rushed out of control off the cliff, the fuel tank located under the driver's seat caught fire and exploded, and the Delta car made of Kevlar fiber burned to ashes on the spot. Tevernin and navigator Sergio Cresto were killed in the fire.
Markku Alen then drove the Delta S4 to complete the rest of the season, and despite the impressive results and a long lead in the standings, Lancia ushered in its darkest moment in WRC history after the Already decided Victory of the Santa Morel Rally. Due to the irregularity of the side skirts of the body, the Lancia factory team was cancelled the annual points after Peugeot. Allen eventually lost the world championship that had already arrived.
↑ In 1987, the WRC officially cancelled Group B, and in order to adapt to the huge rules of adjustment, Lancia developed the Delta HF4WD car to compete in Group A, and this car did not live up to expectations, winning the Manufacturer's Championship and driver's championship for Lancia that year.
In 1988, Lancia launched the Integregrale and once again won the Drivers' Championship. By the end of 1991, Lancia announced its complete withdrawal from WRC events, and its factory team won a record-breaking 5 consecutive championships. Even in 1992, after Lancia's withdrawal, jolly Club team still won the championship of the year using the Integr EVO car. Interestingly, rallymaster and current Ferrari F1 driver Carlos. Sainz's father, Carlos Sr. Early in his career, Sainz drove a late Delta Integrale to the field.
Looking back at Lancia's glorious rally history, we might as well take a look at contemporary tribute models. For the veteran Italian car company, which has been criticized for quality and needs to be revived and republished, although the parent company STEELANTIS has proposed a revival plan several times, the greasy executives have mostly flashed their words and have not given any exact timelines and product plans. Therefore, the current Lancia high-chassis sports car belongs to the "blossoming wall outside the wall", without exception is a tribute to fans and brand fans.
Lancia WRC Chronicles
Lancia Montecarlo Concept car
Although this compact SUV is extremely well designed, it was even released with a well-made, emotional video. But these beautiful renderings are not from the official design team. Classic car owner and industrial designer David . Obendorfer is the real author of these renderings.
For his work, he explains: "We all know that the reborn Lancia cannot come to us as we remember, it must take into account the needs of the market, and I designed this car to try to combine classic and practical. In the 1970s, bare plastic bumpers were seen as a bold and innovative design feature of Montecarlo, and for an SUV, such details could not be more appropriate."
In addition to the perfect design, he even arranged a careful model planning for his own work. "The car can use the EMP2 platform architecture of STELLANTIS and be equipped with a plug-in hybrid system." It has to be said that italian car fans as rational as David are as rare as beta Montecarlo, who has survived to this day.
Manifattura Automobili Torino Stratos
Wouldn't you be thrilled if you could get a new Stratos with a Ferrari V8 engine for $617,000 (about 3.93 million yuan) now? In fact, this beautiful retroclassic is a custom model jointly created by Penfa Design Studio and Italian coach-building (body customization) brand MAT, with a global limited edition of 25 vehicles. Based on the Ferrari F430 Scuderia, this modern version of the Stratos revives a classic in the history of rallying with a shortened body saw and a tailor-made exterior panel.
In terms of power, the car retains the F430's 4.3L V8 engine and boosts the power to 600 horsepower. In addition, owners can optionally install the Safari exterior kit for an additional fee to make it look closer to the original. Perhaps, many people think that spending 3.93 million to buy a "big accident" Ferrari with a cut roof is really a wrongdoing act, but in the official configuration list, this money is only a modification cost, in order to get the new Stratos, the owner also needs to provide an additional car condition to pass the OFFICIAL CAR certification F430 Scuderia.
Kimera EVO37
This is perhaps the closest 037 to the original that can be bought now. Italian custom car manufacturer Kimera built the car using the chassis of the original Beta Montecarlo, just like the original 037. Not only that, but the 2.1L inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine was also remanufactured using the original drawings, but many of its components have been redesigned. Eventually, the maximum power was increased to 368Kw (500 hp). In addition, thanks to the advancement of modern technology, the Kimera EVO37 also replaced the original glass fiber with a lightweight carbon fiber body. Therefore, whether it is handling or body strength, the Kimera EVO37 has a better performance.
Kimera plans to build 37 EVO37s, each priced at up to 470,000 euros (about 3.42 million yuan), although it does not sound cheap, but for owning a 037, this price is enough to be "close to the people". Don't forget, under the pursuit of many collectors, the original 037 in good condition today has a transaction price of more than one million euros in the classic car market.
RetroClassic Blue Flag Awards
In the subdivision of off-road sports vehicles, in addition to lancia, which "blossoms in the wall and incense outside the wall", in recent years, it has been stirred by the trend of high-chassis sports cars and decided to jump on the pulse of another Italian supercar brand - Lamborghini. The company released the renderings of the Huracan Sterrato concept car in 2020, and recently, foreign media exposed the spy photos of the car.
↑ Recently foreign media exposed Huracan Sterrato spy photos
According to official information, the car is based on the Huracan EVO, while retaining the original power and four-wheel drive system, it will be adjusted for the transmission shift logic and four-wheel drive system for non-paved road pull driving. For reference, the Huracan EVO's 5.2L V10 engine has a maximum power of 470 kW (639 hp) and a maximum torque of 600 Nm, which is matched with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
↑ Renderings previously officially released by Lamborghini
In addition, this special version of the Huracan was replaced with thicker tires and greatly increased the ground clearance of the body, thanks to which the approach and departure angles were greatly improved. In terms of interior, in the renderings released earlier, the Huracan Sterrato is equipped with a carbon fiber integrated bucket chair and a four-point seat belt, and like many hardcore rally cars, the titanium alloy roll cage is also the standard of the car.
CEO Steven from Lamborghini. Judging from winkelmann's new car plans announced at the beginning of the year, the Huracan Sterrato will most likely become one of the four new cars unveiled by the Italian wild bull this year. However, there is no news about the specific unveiling time of the new car, only earlier media exposure, Lamborghini or plans to produce 500-1000 Huracan Sterrato.
Related content review:
What is it like to drive a sports car off-road (Part 1)
Lamborghini Rally Edition Spy Photo or launched within the year
The Opel Manta/Lancia Delta classic is coming back
"Rally cattle" Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato