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 standard sufficient factor for automotive manufacturers to resume the emblems of names used of their iconic fashions, the Lancia model has been having fun with a little bit of a renaissance as outdated movies of Group B rally racers get greater and larger followings on TikTok and Reels. On the similar time, design companies are paying tribute to the model’s legacy with new ideas whereas the not too long ago revealed Ypsilon has included among 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 completely 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’ latest historical past) Fulvia doesn’t appear so far-fetched.
That stated, 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 finances 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.
Assume 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There’s an outdated adage within the automotive enterprise that goes, “win on Sunday, promote on Monday.”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 profitable races truly offered vehicles, Lancia can be the best-selling automotive model on Earth.
In 1974, 1975, 1976, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992, totally different vehicles carrying the Lancia defend and flag emblem received the World Rally Championship – and the vehicles that introduced the model its final success couldn’t be extra totally different from each other. There was the Fulvia, in fact – however the fairly little coupe would ultimately give option 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 known as Delta, which propelled Lancia to its biggest period of rally dominance.
Lancia’s glory was unquestioned throughout three a long time. Its gross sales, alternatively, have been dismal.
Gross sales have been so dismal, in truth, that Lancia pulled out of the US market after the 1982 mannequin 12 months. In Europe, the state of affairs 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 may nonetheless purchase a Lancia solely in Italy – and the one mannequin accessible was a sluggish, overprices “luxurious” subcompact in regards to the dimension of a Toyota Yaris known as the Ypsilon, or “Y” … as in, “Y hassle?”
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 residing off loads much less for many years, and the previous few years have been priming us for one thing actually good. Right here’s hoping it involves one thing.
Authentic content material from Electrek; the featured picture at high was launched into the public area by its writer, ChiemseeMan, on the English Wikipedia undertaking.
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