Delta’s a belter L
Air filters tend to have a life span of 12 months - or 12,000 miles - depending on how regularly you drive, which is why they’re usually changed during your vehicle’s annual service. But you could actually save some pennies by carrying out this task yourself, and it shouldn’t take you very long - especially if you’re a commuter. ANCIAS have not been sold in the UK for many years but the company has carried on making strikingly different cars based on Fiat floorpans for other markets. After Fiat’s takeover of US car maker Chrysler, it was decided to rebadge two of Lancia’s cars as Chryslers for the UK market.
I found the decision to rebadge odd but be that as it may, the excellent Delta, which was only available here between 2011 and 2013, is the larger of the two.
Based on the Fiat Bravo platform, the five door hatch comes with either 120 or 140bhp petrol engines or 120bhp 1.6 and 165bhp 2.0-litre diesels.
Its styling really makes it stand out from the crowd and it’s also pretty rare, having only sold in small numbers.
But don’t let that put you off, because virtually all the parts are shared with the Fiat and therefore readily available.
It was aimed at the luxury end of the medium family hatch market and would definitely appeal to anyone downsizing from something a couple of sizes up because it has a bigger interior than most competitors like the Ford Focus.
The MultiAir petrols are gems - willing and punchy, as well as being smooth and quiet.
The diesels also have good to excellent performance and the 1.6 was available with a manual or automatic gearbox. It reaches 60mph from rest in about 10.6 seconds while the manual only 2.0-litre manages the sprint in 8.2 seconds, making it the fastest model n the range.
The two 1.4 turbos will also cover the benchmark 60 miles an hour in under 10 seconds and the 140bhp model can go on to 126 miles an hour.
They ride comfortably over the majority of surfaces and the road holding and handling are marvellous, very much in the tradition of Lancias that have gone before.
Road and tyre noise is acceptable but there is quite a bit of wind noise at motorway speeds.
The seats are reasonably supportive and comfortable, the driving position excellent, and the level of equipment generally very good.
Four trim levels were available and entry S has radio/CD with MP3 link, heated electric mirrors, fog lamps with cornering function, keyless entry, air con, multi-function display, four electric windows, stability control and a hill holder.
SE adds rear air vents, leather covered steering wheel, lumbar adjustment and 16-inch alloys, while SR comes with USB, aux-in, cruise control and steering wheel audio controls.
Top-of-the-range Limited brings sat-nav, automatic headlamps, twotone paint, rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring system and electric front seats.
Economy is 44mpg for the petrols and 60 for the 1.6 diesel manual.
Pay about £3,400 for a ’13 13-reg 1.4 MultiAir SE, or £5,500 for a ’14 14-reg 1.6 TD S-Series Nav.