Lancia Imperiale Design Concept by David Cardoso

If there's one European brand that has been in an identity crisis for many years, that is Lancia – and the Fiat Group's decision to drop a few Chrysler models including the 300 sedan and the Town & Country minivan into the Italian firm's range only made things worse.

One time the proud maker of sporty models with a pinch of luxury like the gorgeous Lancia Flavia Coupe with its innovative narrow-angle V4 engine and let's not forget, also the holder of 10 world rally championships, Lancia is now struggling to find its place in today's automotive world.

Independent designer David Cardoso is among those not pleased with Lancia's current portfolio and especially the new Thema:

"When Lancia recently brought out the Thema that is based on the American Chrysler 300C, I was let down by Lancia as it disowned its own Italian design language. The Imperiale is an attempt to create a worthy Thesis successor," Cardoso told Carscoop.

The name Cardoso chose to use on his reborn Lancia flagship is somewhat unfortunate as the Chrysler used the Imperial moniker for its own series of luxury models from the 1920s to the 1980s and again in the early 1990s.

Name aside, Cardoso's Imperiale borrows the fastback body styling of previous Lancia cars such as the Gamma Berlina from the late 1970s.

You can take a look at the designs below and share your thoughts in the comments area.

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2013 Mercedes-Benz SL

We followed the development of the new 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL for a while now, having recently spied a small camouflage prototype that made it possible for us to see many aspects of the design hardtop roadster.

Of course, as you get closer to the debut, which takes place next year at the Detroit Motor Show in January, more information is coming out. Earlier this week, the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport has published a series of what appears to be the official photo Next SL, body-in-white, as well as some very interesting details.

The images suggest that the brand new luxury roadster will keep the familiar silhouette SL, while adopting the styling cues of other Mercedes models like the square nose which is the brand new "face" and SLK is "Control Magic Sky" strong retractable roof.

According to AMS, the new SL roadster is much lighter than the current model, although it is slightly larger in all dimensions. This was achieved using almost all-aluminum frame that weighs only 254 kilograms (560 pounds) to reduce the total weight of 140 kg (309 lbs) with obvious benefits in terms of handling, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The new SL is powered by a new generation of engines that have fuel injection and automatic stop-start system. Line-up consists of a twin-turbo 4.7-liter V8 with an output of 435HP and V6, and possibly V12 units.

To develop regional versions topping AMG SL 63 AMG is powered by a new 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8, which is said to churn out 571HP.

The interior will follow the direction of latest model Mercedes with highlights such as the round mouths surrounded by chrome rings and a large screen in the center console. Expect all the usual systems and active and passive safety of the vast array of Mercedes.

In addition, SL 2013 introduces two new features. The first is the "Magic Vision Control", wipers, washer fluid, which includes, and is said to be much more efficient than conventional units. The second is a new sound, which uses a space-space aluminum structure of the foot, as the resonance chamber to produce more bass.

Story References: AMS

 

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Lotus Wants To Make Its Cars Worldwide Notice Of Increase In Sales Discouraging

Lotus is a brand that has a long history - but it is not enough, if the current situation is bad. In the first eight months, sales of Lotus were only a chart blip sale in the UK, only 272 cars were delivered, 24% of the invoice has been disheartening for 358 units of the same period of 2010.

Karl Heinz Kalbfell, who worked for BMW, was taken last year in an attempt to increase sales. He said that the reason Lotus can not sell more cars than the public is not familiar with its products.

"The brand is well known, but the products are not" told the magazine Autocar Kalbfell. "We have some great cars in our range, as Evora. Many would like to get Evora cars in their range. Now we have to make "shopping list" of car buyers.

The first step is to Evora GTE, which updated the sport chassis and carbon-fibrer parts of the body, and especially with the 444HP instead of the standard car to 350 horses.

Kalbfell hope that GTE, which will sell for nearly £ 120K in England and Exige S will form the basis for £ 100 000 next year New Spirit, because as he says, "we can not skip buyers Elise Esprit . "

Even Kalbfell list of priorities is to improve the management, dealer network and public awareness in preparation for upcoming models of Lotus'.

 

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New Chrysler Ypsilon Supermini Makes its Debut in Britain

The Fiat-Chrysler alliance has said that the two groups will work hand-in-hand towards the development of all future models, with the Italian branch handling the smaller and compact / medium segments and the American, the medium and larger categories.

We'll have to wait to see the first (real) results, but for the time being, the group is making use of one brand's vehicles to supplement the lineup of another brand through the age-old approach of rebadging.

Following the European premieres of the Chrysler 200, 300 and Town & Country with Lancia badges and names, the table has turned around with Chrysler welcoming a Lancia model into its range, the new Ypsilon supermini. But it's not for U.S. consumption.

As you may remember from previous posts, the Fiat-Chrysler alliance has decided to market all Lancia models under the Chrysler brand in the United Kingdom.

Besides the Chrysler-specific grille and badging inside and out, there are no other changes to the Ypsilon, which is being marketed as a more premium proposal in the Ford Fiesta category.

The 3.8-meter-long five-door model with the hidden rear door handles launches in the UK with a choice of two petrol engines and a single diesel option, all equipped with a Start&Stop system as standard.

The gasoline range includes a 1.2-liter Fire four-cylinder unit producing 69HP and 102Nm of peak torque with CO2 emissions of 115g/km, and Fiat's award winning (2011 International Engine of the Year) two-cylinder 0.9-liter TwinAir that pushes out 85HP and 145Nm of torque with CO2 emissions of 97g/km.

The most powerful choice is the 1.3-litre MultiJet II turbo-diesel with 95bhp and 200Nm of torque at 1500rpm.

All engines are paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox, while the 0.9-liter TwinAir can be optionally specified with a semi-automatic five-speed transmission.

The Chrysler Ypsilon is on sale now in the UK with OTR prices starting from £10,695 (for full details, click the image above).

 

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