"Misleading" comeback announcement: New Delta HF Integrale? Lancia backtracks

Lancia's latest announcement is actually about a new rally version, which the Italian brand is launching based on its comeback Ypsilon model. And the peripheral aspect is that this return to motorsports will take place under the umbrella of the "HF Racing" performance division – just like in the glory days when Lancia earned a legendary reputation, particularly on international rally tracks. That's why the rally car shown as part of the press release also features a racing elephant as a decorative element on its body; the comic-style pachyderm previously adorned the HF logo that ennobled Lancia's sports and racing cars.

But the Italians tucked away the most interesting aspect of the announcement for fans at the end of their statement: There will be another Lancia Delta HF Integrale! The Italians originally wrote in a press release published on the press page of Stellantis' European headquarters: "HF will become the distinguishing feature of all high-performance versions of the new Lancia product range. Today on the Ypsilon and soon, in 2026, on the upcoming Gamma and Delta models with the 'HF Integrale' label."

However, Stellantis' international spokespeople were apparently a bit hasty, or rather, "expressed themselves somewhat ambiguously in the press release," as the German press department informed us. Stellantis has since issued a clarification: The impression that the "Delta Integrale would arrive in 2026 was never intended or confirmed," a spokesperson said. Instead, the year referred to the Gamma, whose market launch Stellantis had already confirmed for 2026. According to their statement, the original plan for the Delta remains to launch in 2028. However, the new press release, with its revised wording, also confirms that a hot new HF Integrale version will follow.

The revived brand is thus continuing to pursue its "Renaissance Plan," with which it announced a new Delta several years ago. What's new is the confirmation of the particularly hot variant with the HF Integrale seal of approval. The Italians have so far withheld further information. Nevertheless, it can be assumed that the new Lancia Delta will be positioned between the Ypsilon and the future Gamma. Instead of the classic compact car format, however, the model is likely to be launched as an SUV crossover. This also fits the Gamma. Lancia is reportedly designing this as a mid-size crossover model, approximately 4.70 meters long.

Lancia has not yet revealed which drive technology will be used. This also depends on the technical underpinnings of the new Delta. The CMP platform (E-CMP in the electrified version), which is currently widely used within the Stellantis Group, is unlikely to be used anymore. This platform is currently used by the Ypsilon, of which Lancia has launched a fully electric HF top-of-the-line model. The (E-)CMP is already well underway, and by 2028, Stellantis will have largely converted its platforms to the new, highly scalable STLA Small, Medium, Large, and Frame variants.

Since the next Delta is likely to be a bit too large for the new STLA Small platform, there are strong indications of the one-size-larger STLA Medium variant. It is currently being introduced with the DS N°8 and will later also be used by the Gamma. Although the new STLA platforms were developed with an electric focus, they are all "multi-energy platforms" and allow for combustion engines, (mild) hybrid drivetrains, and pure electric power.

Which of these alternatives the Lancia Delta HF Integrale will receive is currently only a matter of speculation. Until not so long ago, electric drive was likely the preferred option among decision-makers. However, it has since become apparent that this drive system is finding little acceptance among buyers, especially of sporty and emotionally charged cars. This could ultimately lead to the Integrale receiving a powertrain with a combustion engine component. However, this is by no means certain.

The officially confirmed return of the Delta HF Integrale is, for now, good news for Lancia fans. The brand introduced the first Delta generation (factory code 831) in 1979 with 1.3- and 1.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines. In 1983, the HF Turbo, featuring a 131-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder, was the first model version to bear the sports division's abbreviation. Three years later, the Delta HF 4WD debuted with a more powerful two-liter turbo engine and all-wheel drive, which formed the basis for the first HF Integrale a year later.

While Lancia raced from triumph to triumph with this model in the World Rally Championship in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and the Delta, built according to Group A regulations, became the most successful rally car of all time, the Italians produced several further developed versions of the road-going Integrale. The Evoluzione I and II variants, as well as their further limited-edition special models, are particularly sought-after today and have long fetched six-figure prices at auctions. Even early Delta Integrales are now traded at collector prices.

Note: In the video after the second paragraph and in the photo slideshow above the article, we reveal how the (old) Lancia Delta HF Integrale performed in the sport auto super test.