Fiat Group bosses are currently considering the development of a bespoke Lancia sports car, in the mould of its mid-engined Stratos and Beta Montecarlo models, for low-volume series production in 2011.
As Lancia CEO Olivier Francois told Autocar, the brand is seeking to boost its image and re-establish itself as a maker of “upmarket, masculine, fun-to-drive cars”. “A sports car is a great way to do this,” Francois said, “and I hope to convince [Fiat Group head Sergio] Marchionne that it’s a good idea.”
Francois wouldn’t be tied down on details of the car’s likeliest mechanical layout, price point or on-sale date, other than to reference the firm’s Beta Montecarlo and Stratos models. “These were great models for building and strengthening the Lancia brand, and that’s what we need to do again,” he said, “although the new car will be sports car, not a racing car.”
As Lancia CEO Olivier Francois told Autocar, the brand is seeking to boost its image and re-establish itself as a maker of “upmarket, masculine, fun-to-drive cars”. “A sports car is a great way to do this,” Francois said, “and I hope to convince [Fiat Group head Sergio] Marchionne that it’s a good idea.”
Francois wouldn’t be tied down on details of the car’s likeliest mechanical layout, price point or on-sale date, other than to reference the firm’s Beta Montecarlo and Stratos models. “These were great models for building and strengthening the Lancia brand, and that’s what we need to do again,” he said, “although the new car will be sports car, not a racing car.”
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