The Italian marque drew on its history for Monday’s announcement, confirming a return to stages through the Rally4 program with its new Ypsilon hatchback. A version of its new offering was unveiled in a livery that recaptured the iconic Martini Racing stripes that were synonymous with the brand in the 1980s and 1990s.
Although Lancia will not initially compete in the World Rally Championship with its return to rallying, rally fans will be hoping that this Rally4 program is only the first step towards a more significant plan once future WRC regulations are clarified next month.
However, the prospect of the Lancia name competing in rallying again in the near future offers an opportunity to relive its past and line up the greatest hits that helped create the Lancia legend.
5 – Lancia Fulvia
Simo Lampinen, Lancia Fulvia coupe.
The Fulvia ushered Lancia back into motorsport through the crucible of rallying in 1965, ten years after it withdrew from Formula 1. The attractive coupe with a V4 engine, which developed a maximum power of 130 hp thanks to its 1.6-liter variant, was an instant success. on home soil he won the Italian rally championship on his debut, the first of eight national titles and two European championships.
Fulvia triumphed on the world stage, securing the 1972 International Manufacturers’ Championship, the forerunner of the World Rally Championship, after victories in Monte Carlo, Morocco and Sanremo. Although he did not win in the WRC, he helped Lancia score points for its first WRC constructor in 1974.
4- Lancia Delta S4
Miki Biasion, Tiziano Siviero, Lancia Delta S4
Photo credit: Christian Alias
The epitome of beasts born during WRC’s glorious Group B era, the Delta S4 was perhaps the most sophisticated and brutal. This mid-engine pocket rocket combined turbocharging and supercharging to reduce turbo lag at low speeds. As a result, its 1.8-liter Fiat twin-cam engine delivered more than 500 horsepower to its four-wheel drive system.
Henri Toivonen claimed victory on his WRC debut at the Lombard RAC Rally in 1985, one of the car’s four WRC victories. Along with the Peugeot 205 T16 Evo 2, the Delta S4 was the final Group B car before the FIA ​​scrapped the rules after a horrific crash in Portugal and the fatal crash of Toivonen and co-driver Sergio Cresta in Corsica.
3- Lancia 037
Markku Alén, Ilkka Kivimäki, Lancia 037 Rally
Photo: Motorsport Images
The predecessor to the Delta S4, the 037, led Lancia to a fourth WRC constructors’ title in 1983 and was arguably the most impressive. This mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-liter turbocharged monster was Audi’s answer to the Quattro four-wheel drive. While it lacked power (280hp) compared to the Audi (500hp), it weighed just 960kg thanks to a lightweight, if fragile, polyester resin/fibreglass chassis. It was also the first Lancia to adopt the now famous Martini Racing livery.
In 1983, it managed to beat Audi to the manufacturers’ crown, the last two-wheel drive to win the title. Walter Rohrl and Markku Alen scored six WRC victories in 1983-1984. The car is now the subject of a new feature film, ‘Race for Glory’, released this year, which charts the 1983 battle between the two marques.
Special Feature: How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giant slaying
2- Lancia Stratos
Sandro Munari, Silvio Maiga, Lancia Stratos
Photo: Motorsport Images
There has been no competition car before or since that has been able to capture the look of the Lancia Stratos. Powered by the 2.4-litre V6 from the Dino 246GT weighing around 950 kilograms, the Bertone-designed car was the brainchild of Lancia boss Cesare Fiorio, Gianpaolo Dallara, Marcello Gandini and ex-Ferrari man Mike Parkes.
On debut in 1974, he took the manufacturers’ crown thanks to wins by Sandro Munari in Sanremo and Canada, while Jean-Claude Andruet triumphed in Corsica. The Stratos helped Lancia to titles in 1975 and 1976 and scored 17 WRC victories. The car is perhaps best remembered in its iconic Alitalia livery.
This year marks 50 years since Stratos helped put Lancia on the map as a manufacturer of WRC champions. Stratos still competes in historic rallies today and last year lit up the Roger Albert Clark Rally in the hands of Seb Perez.
1 – Lancia Delta HF/Integrale
Miki Biasion, Tiziano Siviero, Lancia Delta Integrale
Photo: Motorsport Images
For some, it’s not the prettiest or most eye-catching of Lancia’s creations, but it’s hard to ignore the success the Delta has had. This four-wheel-drive weapon became the undisputed king of Group A. In its several iterations, it won a staggering 46 WRC rallies between 1987-1992, marking it as the most successful car in the championship’s history.
Delta claimed six consecutive Constructors’ crowns and four Drivers’ titles during this period, as Miki Biasion triumphed in 1988-89, while Juha Kankkunen succeeded in 1987 and 1991. Off the stages, he will always have an affinity with those who grew up. in the 1990s, given that he was the main character in the cult game series Sega Rally.