Lancia Delta 'Hard Black' Edition Goes on Sale in Europe

It's been a while since we've seen something new from Lancia, but at least the Fiat Group is reminding us that the brand still exists by releasing new versions of its cars. The latest addition in the Lancia family is the Delta 'Hard Black' that was previewed at the Geneva Motor Show in March and is now available for order in Europe.

The new series comes with a shiny black roof, chrome mirror caps and a unique matt black color for the body that Lancia calls "Hard Black". The five-door hatchback also gets a pair of chrome tail pipes and 18-inch alloy wheels available in a silver or matte black finish.

Inside, the dark color theme is continued with the door panels and seats that are covered in Alcantara and leather.

The Delta 'Hard Black' edition is offered with a choice of two engines, a 200HP 1.8-liter turbo petrol linked to a six speed automatic transmission or a 1.9-liter twin-turbo diesel with 190HP and 400Nm (295 lb-ft) of peak torque.

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Born in the USA: Lancia, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo Jobs Coming to North America

Automotive News reports that Fiat's Italian manpower is being cut by 5,000 (approximately 6.25% of its total workforce in Italy) while "increasing domestic production to 900,000 units in 2012 from 661,100 units in 2009."

Fiat's response: "Media speculation about the plan's contents [is] 'premature and groundless.'"

Part of the supposed shift involves a decrease in models built, from fourteen to nine, while ramping-up production of the survivors.

Hit really hard will be Fiat's plant in Mirafiori, Turin. "Mirafiori builds the Fiat Punto Classic, Idea and Multipla models, the Lancia Musa and Alfa MiTo. Fiat is remodeling the plant to use a single line to build the Alfa Romeo MiTo and two new small minivans to replace the Idea and Multipla."

The Mirafiori plant is set to ax nearly 50% of its 5,840 workers; that's in addition to the 1,400 that are getting the boot in Termini Imerese, Sicily (where the Lancia Ypsilon is built), the 1,500-2000 in Pomigliano (being outfitted to built only the Panda replacement), and 500 workers at the Cassino plant.

Fiat is said to be bringing some production over to Chrysler's North American manufacturing facilities, which would then export the vehicles back to Europe.

Numbers from Chrysler are in the neighborhood of 270,000 Fiats, Lancias, and Alfas (plus 100,000 500s in Mexico) built on this side of the Atlantic by 2014.

Here's how the models will likely break down:

Alfa Romeo (in America): four models including the Giulia (sedan and touring variants of the 159 successor), a "large crossover", and a big, rear-wheel-drive 166 successor (likely to use Chrysler's LX platform).

Lancia (in Europe): using re-badged Chrysler and Dodge products, Lancia wants to remain (or is that become?) "near premium" by using the 300C (ok), the new-Sebring lineup (wait and see), and the Voyager (why won't you just die?).

Fiat (in Europe): will use the Dodge Nitro (somehow I don't see it winning people over), and Dodge's Journey crossover.

Thoughts on this newly globalized Fiat plan? You know where to go (it's down).

- By Phil Alex

Via: Automotive News

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Race Retro 2010: Old-School Racers at their Shiniest - 180 Stunning Photos

Race Retro, billed as "Europe's premier historic Motorsport Show", recently wrapped up in Coventry. Carscoop reader and professional photographer Dario Carbone was there to take some special pics, which he was nice enough to put in our cold, dead hands.

He says "It's an event to commemorate the legends of Rally and other historic race cars. It also has a live rally stage where they run the group B monsters and allow those who weren't around in the early 80s to experience their brute force." Yes, please.

Now if I could find a poster of the jet-engine-to-the-face warning label, that would just be tops.

There's a gallery below; you know what to do. As always, let us know what you like in the comments section.

-By Phil Alex

- Special thanks to Dario for sending this awesome gallery over our way. You can see more of his work at flickr here

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