Stellantis is attempting something of a comeback with Lancia. Left for years to languish, Lancia recently launched a new Ypsilon hatchback, and soon, it'll revive the Gamma and Delta nameplates. Thanks to its unprecedented rally success, the Delta Integrale is one of Lancia's best-loved cars, and soon, it too will be back.
Autocar brought our attention to a Tuesday release from Lancia where the brand confirmed the "HF Integrale" name will return for high-performance versions of the Gamma and Delta. "HF" for those who don't know stands for High Fidelity, and it was a label Lancia used for some of its highest performing cars, like the Stratos, Delta 4x4, and Delta Integrale. Featuring a distinct elephant on the badge, Lancia introduced the Ypsilon HF and HF Line last year.
Lancia is also back in rallying with the Ypsilon Rally4 car and the Ypsilon HF Racing, homologated for the entry Rally6. In a release announcing the Ypsilon HF Racing and outlining the sub-brand's future, Lancia said "HF will become the defining feature of all the high-performance versions within the new Lancia lineup: today on the Ypsilon model and soon to appear in 2026 on the upcoming Gamma and Delta with the 'HF Integrale' label."
The HF Integrale name first appeared on the Delta in 1988 for an evolved version of the Delta HF 4x4 that was competing in Group A rally at the time. The Integrale was a homologation special for the Delta rally car, with four-wheel drive and a turbocharged four-cylinder that made the little hatchback extremely potent. It died in 1993 with the limited-production Evo II version. Its legend has only grown since.
Autocar reports that the next Delta could be twinned with the Opel Mokka crossover. The new Delta will likely ride on Stellantis' CMP platform, which can accommodate both internal-combustion and all-electric power. Lancia hasn't said what will power the next Delta. But we do know that the hottest CMP platform cars, like the Ypsilon HF, Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, and recently announced Peugeot E-208 GTI use an electric motor with 280 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque. Autocar suspects this is the drivetrain the Delta HF Integrale would get.
Lancia never made a performance version of the original Gamma, a luxury sedan and coupe built from 1976 to 1984. Autocar says the new Gamma will be a twin of the DS No8, the new flagship from Stellantis' French luxury brand.
Stellantis' rebirth of Lancia isn't going well. Despite the new Ypsilon, its sales were down 72% in May to just 5,627 cars. This comes amidst wider problems at Stellantis, which just appointed Antonio Filosa as CEO to finally replace the much-loathed Carlos Tavares.
The new Delta Integrale has huge shoes to fill, too. While Lancia's history has a great many cars, enthusiasts today love the Delta Integrale above all. So expectations are high.
