On the face of it, a boxy Italian hatchback whose origins stretch back to the 1970s does not sound like the kind of thing on which dreams are made. But if ever there was a car whose humble origins would contrast so starkly with the evolution of its mechanicals and consequent success in motorsport, the Lancia Delta HF Integrale is it.
Lancia had been no stranger to rallying, of course, exploits with the Fulvia, Stratos and 037 securing it several championship wins during the 1970s. It was with the Delta and subsequent Delta Integrale, however, that Lancia really made its mark on the special stages. Thanks to those cars, the company took victory in the WRC manufacturer’s championship six times in a row between 1987 and 1992.
Naturally, Group A homologation rules stipulated that manufacturers produce a number of road going versions of their rally entrants, and the Delta Integrale still ranks as one of the most desirable and capable homologation specials ever, especially in later Evolution form.
Launched in 1991 in readiness for the 1992 season, the Evo 1 gained wider front and rear axle tracks with correspondingly ballooned box arches. An adjustable rear spoiler and 15-inch Speedline alloy wheels further differentiated the ‘Evoluzione’ from the previous Integrale. Combined, the alterations gifted the Lancia just the right amount of visual muscle, while of course aiding its special-stage performance.
Underneath that vented bonnet lay a subtly revised version of the 2-litre turbocharged in-line ‘four’, with modifications to the exhaust yielding 207 brake horsepower. Suspension and steering were heavily uprated to cope with the extra power.
One of the more interesting aspects of the Integrale - not to mention a key factor in its rallying victories - was its four-wheel drive system. Early versions had a front-biased torque split, but later models were able to spread grunt 47% front, 53% rear. In addition, a Torsen rear differential could divert the engine’s power to the grippiest back wheel.
I’ve never had the pleasure of driving an Integrale (if any owners are reading, my contact details are on the website) but seldom have I heard so many superlatives heaped upon a hatchback. No, scratch that. The Integrale is one of the most desirable performance vehicles of any description, journos praising the sub-6.0-second 0-60mph acceleration, balanced, grippy chassis and talkative, animated steering. On a narrow, twisty, damp road, the Lancia’s combination of compact dimensions, larger-than-life power and four-wheel drive security could leave a traditional low-slung, wide-hipped Italian supercar wondering which way it’d gone.
Not bad for a car which started life as an Escort rival, eh?
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