Filed under: Concept Cars, Time Warp, Coupes, Euro, Paris Motor Show, Alfa Romeo, FIAT
Return of Lancia Fulvia gets green light again
The 2003 Lancia Fulvia Coupe concept that tantalized showgoers at the Frankfurt Motor Show with its crisp lines that strongly evoked its namesake predecessor was presumed dead after Fiat canned the idea due to financial woes and want of a modern platform. It seems that plans for a new coupe carrying the Lancia badge is resurgent inside Fiat, though the clearly retro styling of the 2003 concept will likely fall by the wayside instead of getting mired in a retro rut.
It's rumored that we'll see a Fulvia riding atop the MiTo's chassis at this year's Paris Motor Show. Rather than relying on the work of 40 years past, the new Fulvia will share nothing but a name with its predecessor. The car may follow the current trend of other Euro coupes and incorporate a folding hardtop, but there are conflicting reports that it may also be a conventional fixed-head-coupe. We certainly wouldn't complain about giving the MiTo an appropriate coupe roofline, so please send some our way.
Gallery: 2003 Lancia Fulvia concept
[Source: Autocar, Photos: ultimatecarpage]
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rick 6:10PM (6/06/2008)
I can see the original in there. Nice, modern update of a very cool coupe.
Reply
endotoxic 8:20PM (6/06/2008)
To me, from it's proportions and the rear end, it could almost be an evolution of the Fiat Bertone.
I hope we get it. It's a sweet-looking ride.
BB92 2:48PM (6/09/2008)
It looks like old SLK from Benz so nothing new !!!
Richard Warren 6:17PM (6/06/2008)
Nice looking 64 Corvair
Reply
Sanders 6:47PM (6/06/2008)
Have your eyes checked.
Yago Bal 6:34PM (6/06/2008)
YYYEEEESSSSSSSS please, just make it look like the concept :)
Reply
FallenCow 6:44PM (6/06/2008)
It would be a travesty if they didn't make it look like the original concept. That was just so well done... make it rear wheel drive with a small turbocharged engine and export it into the US... i'd be first in line!
Reply
Shiftright 7:00PM (6/06/2008)
Don't hold your breath for a rear drive chassis, especially if it's based on the Mito platform. The original was front drive and was known for its supremely agile handling, as its many rally successes can attest to, so it makes sense for it to be front drive again. Besides, front drive makes so much more sense in a small car like this unless it's a strict 2 seater. like a Miata. I've sat in a Euro market BMW 1 series hatch (RWD), and the rear packaging is not very good
bakka 9:25PM (6/06/2008)
ME FIRST!
Toy Yoda 7:11PM (6/06/2008)
It just can't be me. Has anyone notice this name is right up there with FCUK.
Why not also come up with a Seinfeld endorsed line of cars called "Mulva", "Fulvia", and "Clie Taurus".
Reply
Rick 10:48AM (6/07/2008)
Which Fiat Bertone are you speaking of? I don't seem to remember any styling exercises in the last few years concerning a Fiat coupe by Bertone.
endotoxic 8:19AM (6/09/2008)
"Which Fiat Bertone are you speaking of? I don't seem to remember any styling exercises in the last few years concerning a Fiat coupe by Bertone."
'72 - '89, so it's an oldie.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X19
Soccer Mom 10:54PM (6/06/2008)
Damn Italians, called this car "Vulva". I agree it is ugly, but there is no need to call names.
Reply
Toy Yoda 11:26PM (6/06/2008)
I'm not calling it any names. And actually, I like how it looks. I just think the name is questionable since it sounds so much like the female anatomy parts.
Dad 11:29AM (6/07/2008)
UGLY. Looks like a Buick from 15 years ago.
Reply
Eng.CuoreSportivo 5:48PM (6/07/2008)
Buick builds car?
Eng.CuoreSportivo 5:47PM (6/07/2008)
Every Lancia-fan hopes this...
Reply
Richard Warren 7:18PM (6/07/2008)
Sanders, go to the link below.
Pay close attention to the crease at the belt line, the curve of the 1/4 panerl and if you find a picture of the Monza coupe, the roof and pillar shape. Observe the rear panel, id badge placement, wheel arc shape and placement.
Aslo Pinninfarina did some style work on the Corvair link below.
http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3F_adv_prop%3Dimage%26ni%3D20%26va%3Dcorvair%26fr%3Dslv8-%26xargs%3D0%26pstart%3D1%26b%3D41&w=800&h=524&imgurl=www.canadiandriver.com%2Farticles%2Fbv%2Fimages%2F64_corvair_spyder.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadiandriver.com%2Fcgi-bin%2Fschlabo%2Fsp.pl%3F%2Farticles%2Fbv%2Fimages%2F64_corvair_spyder.jpg%26amp%3Binfo%3D1964%2BChevrolet%2BCorvair%2BSpyder&size=124.6kB&name=64_corvair_spyder.jpg&p=corvair&type=JPG&oid=3ce80ea99f61dfe8&no=43&tt=65671
http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3F_adv_prop%3Dimage%26fr%3Dslv8-%26va%3Dcorvair%26sz%3Dall&w=463&h=164&imgurl=www.shorey.net%2FAuto%2FAmerican%2FGM%2FChevrolet%2FCorvair%2F196x%2520Chevrolet-Fitch%2520Corvair%2520Sprint%2520Sv.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shorey.net%2FAuto%2FAmerican%2FGM%2FChevrolet%2FCorvair%2Fhtmltree.html&size=26.6kB&name=196x%20Chevrolet-Fitch%20Corvair%20Sprint%20Sv.jpg&p=corvair&type=JPG&oid=3d608b947ca075a0&no=5&tt=65674
Coupe:http://www.chooseyouritem.com/classics/photos/84000/84276.1962.Chevrolet.Corvair.jpg
Reply