BACK IN ACTION
Cult favourite car brand to BRING BACK model 40 years after it was discontinued as part of ambitious ‘revival strategy’
The model will initially be available only in select European markets
A CULT favourite car brand has announced the return of a model discontinued 40 years ago as part of an ambitious "revival strategy".
Lancia has unveiled the first picture of the new Gamma which is set to be the Italian brand's new flagship motor in 2026.
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The Gamma nameplate has a cult following among car fans, havig been the brand's executive offering from 1976 until it was discontinued in 1984.
The new Gamma will incorporate elements from the upcoming Peugeot 3008, and upon release its release will feature options for both combustion and electric powertrains.
Little is known about the design, but reports indicate that it will feature a sleek, rakish design, with a mid-sized crossover.
Luca Napolitano, Lancia CEO, said: "The new Lancia Gamma represents a milestone in our journey towards the future.
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"[It] will showcase the best of what Lancia stands for innovation, style and a relentless pursuit of excellence."
The Gamma will be paired with the upcoming successor to the DS 9 and the rebooted Vauxhall Insignia, both of which will share Gamma's production line at Melfi, Italy.
Similar to the Ypsilon range from the car brand, the Gamma will initially be available only in select European markets.
There is no confirmed timeline for its release in the UK as of yet.
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The Italian car manufacturer recently announced it plans to release an all-electric hot hatchback - the first of its kind from them in decades.
The iconic car manufacturer has unveiled a high-performance EV version of their new Ypsilon model - and it will boast the return of their legendary HF badge.
To be called the Ypsilon HF, the electric pocket rocket will be capable of hitting 237 bhp - similar to another Stellantis hot hatch, the Abarth 600e - that will take it to 62 mph in just 5.8 seconds.
It will also come with a lower, wider suspension than the regular Ypsilon.
The new model - set to be released in May 2025 - will be emblazoned by the return of the red elephant of the HF badge.
HF is a nod to the "Lancia Hi-Fi" Club, an exclusive club for the brand's most loyal customers of the 1960s that was later adopted by their racing and rallying team.
RALLY ICONS
The HF branding on Lancia's road cars - or indeed their rally cars - hasn't been offered since their Nuova Delta 2.0 HF model ended production in 1999.
Lancia's rally icons such as the Stratos HF and Delta HF Integrale each displayed the little elephant during the brand's glory days.
Indeed, Lancia has also revealed that they will be taking the Ypsilon HF to the World Rally stage in 2025.
Lancia is already synonymous with the World Rally Championship - having won 10 WRC constructors' titles from 1974 to 1992 with legendary drivers such as Walter Rohrl, Miki Biasion and Juha Kankkunen at the wheel.
However, Lancia won’t return directly to the top flight of the WRC, and will instead take the Ypsilon HF to the two-wheel-drive Rally 4 class.
The rallying Ypsilon will also trade its EV powertrain for a 1.2-litre turbocharged combustion engine that produces 215 bhp.
Lancia says they will be releasing HF versions of the Gamma and Delta models at a later date.
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It comes after a little-known car brand unveiled several new UK models just after releasing a pair of budget SUVs - with a "sporty GT"; among those on the way.
And an Iconic British car brand has launched a new hybrid that's "faster off-road" than its rivals despite being among the cheapest on the market.
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