2003 Lancia Fulvia Concept Review

Specifications

A Pleasant Surprise from Frankfurts IAA

A few decades ago Italian performance automaker Lancia sold cars in North America. Models like the Aurelia, Flaminia, Flavia, Stratos and Beta are collectable favorites among classic auto enthusiasts, as is a pretty little coupe that dawned in 1965 as the Fulvia. It featured a fully independent suspension and disk brakes all round, sophisticated options for a car in its low to mid price range.

Tugging on heartstrings that might still fondly remember the nearly 40-year old car, Lancia revived the Fulvia name for a new grand touring concept that made its debut at this years Frankfurt IAA.

While the introduction of sporty concepts is nothing new for Lancia, the Fulvia is significant as it points the beleaguered marque towards its roots; glory days it hasnt seen since before its models merely became upgraded, rebadged Fiat and Alfa Romeos. The Fulvia concept, its styling pulling cues from the original coupe and name conjuring reflection on the brands history of independent innovation, has caused expectations to soar for a marque that earlier this year seemed near to extinction.

First off, other than the name and some general design cues the new Fulvia has little in common with the old car. The concept retains the classic models 3-box two-door sedan profile, narrow pillars and creased beltline, but like all modern cars the Fulvia prototype is wider, lower and larger than its namesake. Where the old car presented a lean but boxy shape complimented by the eras requisite round headlamps, the new Fulvia mixes angles with curves, with headlamp clusters that integrate into the front fenders. A chiseled front end protrudes forward much like the hull of a boat, while the rest of the car takes on an angular shape. Perhaps the closest references to the original can be seen looking downward from the front quarter view, where the beltline curves into the rear decklid meeting the C-pillar. Also, the shape and pattern of the taillights are somewhat similar to the original.

Even more so than the exterior, the cabin décor has been chosen to echo that of late 60s, early 70s era cars. The two-seater is minimalist in interior design, yet high on spec. It features a top-tier Bose stereo and sophisticated infotainment/navigation system integrated into a brushed aluminum center stack. The overall look is modern yet classic, the latter descriptive driven home with plenty of high-grade leather surfaces and traditional wood dash trim - highlighted by the name Fulvia in original stylized script set into the dashboard. Supportive sport seats appear similar in style to those in the original, while its leather-wrapped, 3-spoke metal steering wheel is partially inspired, less the wood rim, by the first Fulvias.

While interior and exterior styling is important, if it didnt drive well it couldnt pass as a true Lancia. Under the hood of the small coupe is a 140 horsepower, 1.8-liter, 16 valve, DOHC, 4-cylinder engine. Unfortunately, there are no V4 engines planned. While 140 horsepower is hardly overwhelming by todays standards, its all the car will ever need considering its projected 2,200 pound curb weight. Thanks to an aluminum frame and panels, plus its low mass, the Fulvia concept reportedly is capable of reaching 60 mph in 8.3 seconds, going on to a 134 mph top speed. Like the original the Fulvia concept has been designed to reward the driver with nimble cornering first and foremost, its stellar fuel economy is a bonus.

If Lancia decides to give the project the green light for production, chances are the car will be limited to two runs of 1,000 cars. Why does this matter to car buyers in North America that might never get the chance to even see a Lancia, let alone drive one? GM has strong ties to Fiat, Lancias parent company, owning a significant portion of the Italian marque. With Fiat having announced that its Alfa Romeo division will be reentering North America within this decade, its entirely possible that other Fiat controlled marques, such as Lancia, will find their way back across the Atlantic as well. This would be wonderful news to the many Lancia enthusiasts, still loyal to the brand.