Lancia Delta - World Of Classic Cars -

Lancia Delta Integrale Evolution 1 1992

The Lancia Delta was first shown in Frankfurt Motor Show in 1979. The Delta is best known for its World Rally Championship career in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when it dominated. The first Evoluzione cars were built at the end of 1991 and through 1992. These were to be the final homologation cars for the Lancia Rally Team; the Catalytic Evoluzione II was never rallied by the factory. In order to improve the handling, the Evoluzione had a wider track front and rear than earlier Deltas. In order to enclose this track in the bodywork, the wide arches were extended even further and in the process also became more rounded.  The front strut top mounts were also raised in height in the quest for more grip: this then necessitated a front strut brace to control the forces thus generated. External changes included: new grilles in the front bumper to improve the air intake for engine compartment; a redesigned bonnet with new lateral air slats to further assist under bonnet ventilation; an adjustable roof spoiler above the tailgate to assist in competition; new five-bolt wheels derived from the rally cars; and finally, the rear of the car was changed with only one exhaust pipe now showing. The new Integrale retained the four wheel drive layout: an epicyclic centre diff with torque splitter, Ferguson viscous coupling and Torsen rear differential. The engine, although technically the same as the earlier 16V cars, was remapped to give 210bhp at 5750rpm in order to compensate for the slight increase in weight and increased frontal area. This kept the performance figures virtually unchanged. These improvements were aimed at, and did change, the cars' handling potential, with the new car being able to travel 5% faster over rally sections both tarmac and gravel. The result was even greater driver confidence when driving in normal road conditions.