In a brand new copyright submitting on the European Union Mental Property Workplace (EUIPO) from January thirtieth, Stellantis has reserved unique rights to use the Fulvia identify to, “powered automobiles to be used on land.” And, whereas that’s a great distance from a affirmation – there’s purpose to hope.
Whereas it’s a typical sufficient factor for automotive manufacturers to resume the logos of names used of their iconic fashions, the Lancia model has been having fun with a little bit of a renaissance as outdated movies of Group B rally racers get greater and greater followings on TikTok and Reels. On the identical time, design corporations are paying tribute to the model’s legacy with new ideas whereas the not too long ago revealed Ypsilon has integrated a few of the model’s iconic styling cues and paving the best way for a brand new, premium Gamma crossover set to debut later this 12 months and a totally electrical, high-performance Delta hatchback set to reach in time for the 2028 mannequin 12 months.
In the meantime, the most recent Fiat Panda is having a viral second whereas Renault’s retro-tastic (and equally Group B impressed) Renault R5 and R5 Turbo 3E is making headlines in the one means that issues for these items: by placing up large gross sales numbers.
In that context, a brand new electrical (or electrified, anyway, given Stellantis’ current historical past) Fulvia doesn’t appear so far-fetched.
That mentioned, even when Lancia actually is nearly the one model that’s getting its act collectively underneath Stellantis’ management, it’s unlikely that Lancia has the funds to develop a devoted sedan berlina mannequin just like the OG Fulvia constructed between 1963 and ’76. It’s more likely that, if it occurs in any respect, we’ll see the historic Fulvia identify seem on one thing like a small crossover.
Suppose Mustang Mach-E, however at 7/8 scale.
Why are we speaking about Lancia?
There’s an outdated adage within the automotive enterprise that goes, “win on Sunday, promote on Monday.” It sounds nice, but when successful races truly offered automobiles, Lancia can be the best-selling automotive model on Earth.
In 1974, 1975, 1976, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992, totally different automobiles carrying the Lancia defend and flag emblem gained the World Rally Championship – and the automobiles that introduced the model its final success couldn’t be extra totally different from each other. There was the Fulvia, after all – however the fairly little coupe would ultimately give technique to the snarling, mid-engined, Ferrari-engined Stratos supercar in later years. That automotive was changed the RWD 307, which itself was changed by a four-door hatchback referred to as Delta, which propelled Lancia to its best period of rally dominance.
Lancia’s glory was unquestioned throughout three a long time. Its gross sales, alternatively, had been dismal.
Gross sales had been so dismal, in actual fact, that Lancia pulled out of the US market after the 1982 mannequin 12 months. In Europe, the scenario wasn’t significantly better. Regardless of some vivid moments right here and there, Lancia ultimately pulled out of each single worldwide market.
In 2021, you might nonetheless purchase a Lancia solely in Italy – and the one mannequin obtainable was a sluggish, overprices “luxurious” subcompact concerning the dimension of a Toyota Yaris referred to as the Ypsilon, or “Y” … as in, “Y trouble?”
The brand new Ypsilon? I wouldn’t name it nice, nevertheless it’s good. Heck, I’d even name it fascinating – however I’ve regardless of the newest DSM says it’s that might make a person purchase six Lancias, so I wouldn’t put a lot inventory in that.
The copyright information was first reported (so far as I can inform) within the Dutch-language AutoWeek weblog. There’s not a lot right here, however Lancia followers have been dwelling off rather a lot much less for many years, and the previous couple of years have been priming us for one thing actually good. Right here’s hoping it involves one thing.
Unique content material from Electrek; the featured picture at high was launched into the public area by its creator, ChiemseeMan, on the English Wikipedia mission.
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